HOW DID YOU GET HERE? FEATURING KATIE RUENSUMRAN AKA @KATIEISMONSTER
Katie Ruensumran aka @KatieisMonster is a fashion creative consultant, image consultant & writer with a focus on young and emerging designers. Katie is London-based, Bangkok-raised and travels the globe attending fashion weeks! She has carved out her own individual sense of style; a playful experimental mix of bold textures, patterns and a colourful mix of designer pieces and street style worthy accessories that certainly get her noticed. Katie’s unapologetically cheeky style has been featured in Vogue, Elle, Show Studio, Spur magazine and many more. Caption queen Katie has the funniest instagram that you should follow for some feel good content.
Today we are getting a little glimpse into Katie’s life at home & her inspirations.
Name: Katie Ruensumran
Occupation: Fashion Creative Consultant, Image Consultant and Writer.
Location: London
IG Handle: @katieismonster
Website: - Coming soon
Who is @KatieisMonster ? (Please give a summary of who you are and what you do?
Not much about me to be honest :-) Basically, I work with brands - mostly young and emerging designers - as a Creative Consultant. I feel like my job is a supporting role, for example in one collection I might start working with the Designers from their mood board(s) and see all the sketches, then I’ll start to add touches or help them polish the look. I’ll then see the first sample through until the finished collection, including photos for the campaign and look book. Some brands I also do further consulting on strategy and social media, until the clothes are actually in store. I like to make sure that nothing gets lost in translation from the ideas and concepts. I am also a fashion and trend writer, I used to write for the Bangkok Post newspaper and Elle magazine. Lastly, I am also an Image Consultant for fashion campaigns and for personal style advice.
Tell us, have you always been into fashion?
I was born in London but I did all my growing up in Bangkok. Bangkok is so different, if you are plus size like me it’s very difficult to find clothes. I mean you can find clothes but not clothes to express yourself in, not clothes that relate to fashion. So I have made my clothes for as long as I can remember. There is a huge vintage market which is not far from where I live, so I went once a week to buy vintage tees and customise them.
What is your earliest fashion memory?
In Bangkok people like to hangout and buy things in department stores every weekend and my parents always took me but I would wait for them in bookstores. Instead of buying clothes, I spent my time in bookstores and saved up my money to buy fashion magazines like ID, The Face or British Vogue. The most expensive one would be Self Service. Somehow I felt connected to all the models with beautiful clothes in the magazines but back then it wasn’t easy to get all those magazines in Bangkok.
What advice would you give to someone starting out on a similar career path?
Stay true to yourself and be patient.
What would you tell your younger self?
I was very wild, so maybe calm down!
If you weren’t working in fashion as a Creative Consultant & Writer, what would you be doing?
I can’t imagine myself being happy doing something else. I have no clue of other things.
What is your favourite part of what you do?
Seeing new things (in term of designs) but it’s really rare nowadays!
I love your individual fashion style. You are a street style star that stands out amongst the crowds at fashion week with a unique and inspiring way of dressing. Where do you get your style inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from everywhere, especially people, not just how to dress but the way I work and everything. People interest me. I’m always inspired by the people around me.
What are you favorite designers to wear?
My favorite designer is Rei Kawakubo of Comme Des Garçons. Not just her amazing designs but her way of life and how she thinks differently. She’s really brave to create new things and not follow trends but still be in the commercial business. She has created a rare community where everyone is an outsider.
“ Stay true to yourself and be patient.”
Katie Ruensumran
Favorite catwalk show you’ve ever seen?
It was Simone Rocha Spring Summer ‘18. The whole show was so pure and fresh with a very strong message for women of all ages and sizes.
Are there any emerging designers that you’d would like to share with us or that we should watch out for?
I really like Supriya LeLe and Yuhan Wang. Both are my current favourites!
Your signature style of a hair bow & bold eyebrows has graced the pages of Vogue and other fashion publications. Where was this style born from?
I’m not sure to be honest but I have always been a fan of Hello Kitty.
What is your favourite fashion week?
London is where the heart is.
If you could pick a dinner party guest, alive or dead, who would it be?
Karl Legerfeld, Rei Kawakubo and Carine Roitfeld. I would learn a lot and just watch them talk.
Who should everyone be following on Instagram right now?
@alfredbramsen I’m obsessed!!!
Your best tip for coping with the COVID 19 lockdown?
Don’t read too much news. It’s making you nuts.
Where have you been during Quarantine?
I’m still working at home. It’s a strange time for us, I just talked with a brand that I work with and they agreed to work via Zoom-Meeting for now and we’ll figure out the future when the situation gets better.
What is the last text you sent or received?
Texting you to say yes for this interview ;-)
You have a free day to do anything, what do you do?
Walking without knowing where to go. To clear my mind. I do that sometimes in the morning.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning and tea during the day.
Where is your favourite city?
London!!!
What’s your secret place?
I’m always out and about and travelling for work so home is my secret place where I can recharge and rethink everything.
Your favourite food?
English breakfast is my daily survival.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Go get money!
Vintage or new?
Seriously, I LOVE both! People might not know this but I have been collecting vintage T-shirts like Vivienne Westwood, Margiela or Vintage bands T-shirts. I’m obsessed.
If you could buy any building and live there, which would it be?
Buckingham Palace so I can walk to Dover Street Market.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Honestly I brush my teeth before anything.
Do you own anything denim?
I do!!! I have a denim skirt from APC and Miu Miu.
Breakfast of champions?
Fry up!!!
How many languages do you speak?
Thai and English.
Tell us one thing people might not know about you?
Insomnia.
The last item of clothing you bought?
Blue puff sleeve dress from Simone Rocha.
what is your favourite item of clothing?
To pick just one is very difficult but I do love love love all of my comme des garçons skirts.
What does the future hold for @katieismonster ? What exciting plans have you got lined up?
I’m planning my website. I’m still in the process of developing ideas but it will be a bit of everything I like. It should be fun!!!
Name a fellow friend / creative who you think should be interviewed for HOW DID YOU GET HERE?
Michelle Elie she’s great!