Katherine Green is the Fashion Director of prestigious Australian style bible InStyle magazine. Published by Time Inc in America and Pacific Publications in Australia, InStyle is world-renowned for its expert fashion and beauty coverage, stunning photographic shoots and access to top designers, celebrities and style gurus. Katherine is driven by a passion not just for fashion, but for ideas and how these ideas translate into unique looks and clothing combinations. “The best part of my job is workshopping ideas,” she says. “It’s so exciting pulling together looks for shoots, finding new designers and special pieces, there’s inspiration all around.”

Katherine was born and brought up in Sydney’s Paddington and initially wanted to be a ballerina. She became a talented dancer and made the short list for a scholarship to London Ballet School but when she didn’t make it transferred her passion to photography. As a teenager she became obsessed with making dramatic photographic tableaux. She would spend her weekends gathering friends and dressing them for a day’s photo shoot in her home. Inspired by the filmic quality of the work of Annie Liebovitz, Yelena Yemchuk and Stephen Meisel, Katherine says her photo shoots start with a story idea juxtaposed with colours and patterns. “The fashion comes out of this,” she says.

At Ultimo’s University of Technology, Katherine studied Visual Communications, majoring in photography, and graduated with a Bachelor of Design. In her final year she stated a fashion label with a friend using customised art work on T-shirts and jackets. “Champagne Canvas” was an immediate hit and stocked by Belinda Seper in The Corner Shop, Sydney’s most influential fashion store. The label went from strength to strength and was soon on the racks of Browns, London’s premium fashion boutique. It was at this point that Katherine’s connection with InStyle magazine began. Sarah O’Hare (now Sarah Murdoch) had requested “Champagne Canvas” clothes to wear for an InStyle fashion shoot and then Fashion Director Judith Cook phoned Katherine. Katherine took the clothing along to the shoot personally and was captivated by what she saw. “It was our first editorial exposure it was so exciting,” says Katherine. The label attracted a celebrity following including Victoria Beckham and the cast of Sex and the City. Then disaster struck with “Champagne Canvas” sued by the French wine industry for an incorrect use of the “Champagne” name.

After a year off travelling Katherine returned to Sydney and was snapped up by Judith Cook as her Fashion Office Manager. In the five years that followed she quickly rose up through the ranks of the InStyle fashion department and was appointed Fashion Director in 2008. “I love my job” she enthuses. “And the best part now is going to the fashion shows around the world.” When she attends Paris and Milan fashion weeks Katherine revels in wearing Australian designers. “Australian fashion designers are special. They do follow trends but at the same time do their own thing. They’re passionate, individual and fun. It feels so good to be wearing Australian design at the shows because no-one else is wearing it.”