Embracing The Ultra Feminine: In Conversation With The Founder Of Koster Kulture
Made for you
Yasmin Koster, the visionary behind up-and-coming Aussie fashion label Koster Kulture, has always had a fascination with transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Her designs are a true reflection of this, with her garments capturing the essence of everything one desires in their wardrobe. Koster Kulture’s pieces are synonymous with sustainability, versatility, and a strong focus on the consumer, making them nothing short of design perfection.
Featuring three (soon to be four) intimate collections of top-notch craftsmanship, the pieces can be worn on any occasion; from nightclub to race-side to Sunday brunch. These garments work for you, and belong in the ‘drobe of every fashion enthusiast.
We sat down with Yasmin to pick her brain about where her journey started, where her label is heading, and everything in between…
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Hi Yasmin! What inspired you to start Koster Kulture?
I was always drawn to the idea of turning something ordinary into something extraordinary. In my final year of school I constructed a dress out of ethically made fabric from dyed tea bags, a honeycomb hand stitched skirt, and recycled macrame ropes to make a constructed bodice. Upon graduation, I was featured in the honour roll in the high achievers list.
From this experience, I felt I was naturally drawn to transforming a simple piece of fabric into an elevated multi-functional design. I felt I was always inspired by creating unique and innovative designs that challenged trends and constantly experimented with fabric in a sustainable way.
Could you share a little about your fashion journey? Was creating your own label something you’ve always aspired to do?
As a child, I used to try on everything in my grandmother’s closet to play dress ups, or run around the garden in different pieces of fabric for my “fashion shows”. However, I think the natural progression of starting Koster Kulture originated in my high school textile classes. It was almost an escape from reality and certainly fueled my creative passion that I have been able to turn into a career. In some ways, I always felt starting my own brand was inevitable due to the fact that I was constantly trying to find original ideas to share with my friends.
Initially I “started” Koster Kulture in 2021, whilst working part time in multinational marketing jobs gaining both B2B and B2C experience, and undertaking full time university studying a Bachelor of Marketing and Media. Given the stage of business development, I’ve now been able to build Koster Kulture full time with some accumulated business and fashion knowledge, which is a significant milestone allowing me to step away from the financial cushion of a 9-5 job.
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I absolutely love the unique design of your pieces. What inspires your designs?
Storytelling most definitely inspires my designs. I am a true believer that people are a reflection of the clothes they wear. Koster Kulture clothing represents the best way we can live as aspiring young women and if I can tell this story for the people that wear my clothes, the designs usually flow. Whenever I am thinking about new designs, I am inspired by a story.
My Ethereal collection was inspired by wanting an ULTRA FEMININE essential that was both delicate and effortlessly accentuating for a girls night out. Classics was inspired by transforming evergreen simple basics such as a bandeau top and redesigning it into a multi purpose adjuster sleeve top for lazy Sunday bottomless brunches with all your friends. My designs are made to be fluid and adapt depending on your story, because at the end of the day it’s all about you.
How would you describe the essence of your brand?
Koster Kulture is founded on creating a culture that is about you. It’s a reflection of beautifully blended fluid styles that allows the everchanging young woman to feel and look their best no matter the situation or occasion.
We firmly believe that every woman should have one Koster Kulture garment as an essential part of their wardrobe. Be it an elegant Koster Kulture top combined with jeans for the club or a concert, or even a dress for the spring racing season followed by dinner and drinks with your friends.
Could you provide more insight into your sustainability mission and how Koster Kulture contributes to making fashion more sustainable?
Koster Kulture represents the highest quality craftsmanship, utilising sustainable upcycled and recycled fibres and many deadstock fabrics all sourced from global ethical suppliers. Our garments are uniquely versatile, reversible and designed to be worn multiple ways for multiple occasions to ensure garment longevity. They are not produced from a global fast fashion mass production line. Koster Kulture also transforms any of our own fabric off-cuts into scarfs to minimise waste, and have partnered with packaging companies to ensure all our distribution materials are either recyclable or compostable. We also donate a portion of every sale to a selection of charities encompassing environmental, animal protection, and humanitarian injustice issues.
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Your collection Ethereal has recently been released. What sparked the inspiration for this ‘ultra feminine’ collection and where did you draw your creative influences from?
I was initially inspired by the meaning of ‘ethereal’ – being both delicate and light in a way that is not to be of this world. There is a beautiful sense of versatility designed in this collection. The Ethereal collection really is the ultra feminine essential, crafted from delicate lightweight recycled chiffon fabric that drapes beautifully over the body for a flattering and feminine silhouette. Suitable for all your spring and summer adventures, from nightclubs, to pubs, parties, beaches, dinner and drinks.
Koster Kulture is dedicated to fostering a community that’s ‘all about you’. Could you expand on what this means for those who wear your brand, and why this is important to you?
Koster Kulture, like you, is individual and designed to enhance. It’s a lifestyle statement, telling your story about being an aspiring young woman; creating your own Kulture, with your own experiences, no matter where you are and where you come from, wearing something unique that no one else has.
Rumour has it that there are big things in the works for Koster Kulture! Can you give our readers a little glimpse of what’s next for your brand?
I am very excited to announce our upcoming global transeasonal collection, inspired by the Greek goddess Selene, personifying life’s constant movement and renewal, launching this November!
Catering for the seasonal change, all clothing is fluid and designed to adapt to the cooler European autumn or the balmy sunshine this Australian summer. One of our most highly anticipated pieces includes our striking red set, designed with bell bottom stretch knit pants, beautifully paired with a long bell-sleeved rosetta v-neck top. This is our biggest collection yet, and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy it!
Header image: @amaliestar
