SLUG Style: Kate Johnson

At only 23 years old, Kate Johnson has already been doing hair for eight years. From small-town beginnings, she has traveled all around creating avant-garde hairstyles. Serving rockstar girlfriend chic, her looks are sure to shock and wow. We caught her in the hustle and bustle of her life to talk to her about her awe-inducing style.

Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.

Q&A with Kate Johnson

What are your stylistic influences? This could be a band, decade, fictional character — anything.

I am forever inspired by Vivienne Westwood. Everything about her style in the ‘70s and ‘80s was so raw, uninfluenced, undone and avant-garde. Theatrical even. Hair always fucked up. 

I’m also very inspired by The Chelsea Hotel. It’s such a hauntingly beautiful building, filled with so much history surrounding so many iconic people like Edie Sedgwick, Leonard Cohen and Madonna — all bringing different characteristics that inspire me.

What are your interests or hobbies? What is the hobby or interest that you have that no one would realize to ask you about?

I love fashion, design and interior decorating. I’m definitely a collector. I love crafting and making art as well, but that definitely comes with working in a creative field. 

Something I think people wouldn’t think of is that I’m also an event planner. I love making flyers and planning promotional videos or photoshoots.

Are you always “on” or would someone see you at the grocery store, for example, with fewer elements of your style?

I feel like even if I consider myself “off,” people perceive me as being “on.” My go-to grocery outfit is sweats and slippers, a T-shirt and a fur coat. Sometimes I’ll throw on some little glasses or clip my bangs back if I don’t want to style my hair. 

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those be? 

Whimsical, curious, compassionate

How has your experience as a hairstylist influenced your style? Do you express yourself in different ways when it comes to focusing on hair versus clothes?

Oh, definitely. I’ve been doing hair for almost eight years now and started doing hair in Salt Lake City three years ago. Starting my career in a super conservative town then moving to Salt Lake City gave me a space to take my style in a direction I had been pushing toward but didn’t have access to. I’ve evolved so much over time, but being in an industry that’s constantly growing and changing is super inspiring. I love being able to feel like I have the freedom to express myself in a more unconventional way and provide that type of space to others.

Your motto is that hair has no gender. What does this motto mean to you, and how has your approach to hairstyling changed over time?

First off, we are all human beings; we grow hair, we change our style, we grow it long or cut it off. There’s no need to create services based on gender. Secondly, I’m queer, and I feel a big majority of my clientele are as well. It’s super important to me to create an environment that we all feel safe in. Being in the position of altering someone’s appearance is a very vulnerable thing. Gender affirming care is so important, and to provide a space where people trust that I will take care of them will always be my number one priority. Queer or not. 

I started my career in a conservative town, so I feel my motto has always been the same. I just grew into myself and motto even more. Moving to a salon where you are only surrounded by people who have the same values as you creates an environment where anyone can thrive.

How has your personal style evolved over time?

I think I’ve always been considered a little strange, always wanting to try different things, not what everyone else is doing. And that’s just become even more true as I’ve gotten older; I love being strange. 

What are some projects you’ve been involved in that you are the proudest of? Anything coming up that you’re excited for?

I used to travel with a collective of hairstylists to do hair shows and photoshoots. Think fashion show plus the most avant-garde hair you’ve ever seen. I’ve been lucky to work alongside award-winning hairdressers like Sam Villa, Damien Carney, Chrystofer Benson and Greta Coston (my mentor). 

This year I will be teaching more classes, going to New York fashion week in the fall and entering in my first-ever hair award competition. And I cannot express how excited and lucky I feel to be a part of all of these adventures.

If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Have patience. Everything happens for a reason (corny, I know). Every experience, even the unsettling ones, is pushing you toward growth you can’t see yet.

Read about more trendsetters from Salt Lake City:
SLUG Style: Buddy Love
SLUG Style: Shelby & Joe Maddock