Noted Cat Lover Grace Coddington Creates Kitty Inspired Capsule Collection for Balenciaga

Grace Coddington celebrating her 70th birthday with a cat cake

Karl Lagerfeld may be trying to take the title as fashion's biggest cat enthusiast, but that spot has already long been claimed by Vogue Creative Director, Grace Coddington.

Karen Elson as Grace Coddington - Vogue, 2008

Coddington, who I personally fell in love with in "The September Issue," is the definition of one cool cat lady. In a 2008 Vogue editorial, the fiery redhead styled model Karen Elson in her image, complete with a pack of fluffy cats to represent her signature look.

"The Catwalk Cats"

That same year, Coddington released "The Catwalk Cats," along with longtime partner, Didier Malige. The book, inspired by the sketches Coddington would fax to Malige, "records the couple's relationship through photographs (Malige's) and drawings (Coddington's) that document the couple's highly entertaining private and work lives through the eyes of their feline friends." The sketches also played a role in Grace's fashionable 70th birthday bash in 2011, where they appeared on menus and even on her cat-themed birthday cake.

"Pumpkin Papier" Tote Bag

Grace's latest turn in conquering catladydom will once again put her darling drawings on display. Fashionista reports that the Creative Director has teamed up with Nicolas Ghesquiere to create a capsule collection for Balenciaga, inspired by her calico Persian, Pumpkin. The collection includes the “Pumpkin Papier” tote bag ($1,000), and two printed “Pumpkin” scarves ($395 and $495 each), which include her sketches of the fluffy kitty modeling vintage Balenciaga looks. 20 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the stylish items will be donated to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons.

The tote will officially make its debut in Balenciaga stores on Fashion's Night Out (Sept. 6) in Los Angeles and New York City, where Coddington herself will be making an appearance, however, those hoping to catch a glimpse of her kitty companions are likely to be disappointed. As she told Martha Stewart during a cat-centric appearance on her talk show in 2010: "They don't really like other cats. They like each other. They don't like publicity."

Noted Cat Lover Grace Coddington Creates Kitty Inspired Capsule Collection for Balenciaga

Kitty Channels Classic Monsters In 2013 Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar

Yes, there's a kitty in there!

I love Kate Funk and her super amazing 100% awesome black cat, AC. As someone with a penchant for crafting tiny paper hats for my own kitties, I'm in awe of how she continually creates intricate sets and tiny costumes for AC, to be photographed for his popular cat calendar and line of quirky greeting cards.

It takes Kate several months to create AC's annual calendar, that boasts a creative new theme every year. The 2012 edition was inspired by musical genres, while this year's version is all about classic monsters, like King Kong, Frankenstein, the Abominable Snowman, Swamp Thing, the Wolfman, and more!

AC is the Wolfman Greeting Card

When I interviewed Kate ahead of the release of last year's edition, she revealed that contrary to popular belief, AC really doesn't mind being dressed up. The chill kitty was adopted from a Milwaukee shelter in 2006, and the idea for creating cards using his image started as a joke, when she photographed him for a birthday card of a friend who would often tease the cat for being such a grump. (Click here to read the entire interview).

PRE-ORDER SALE 2013 Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar

The 2013 Monster edition of the Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar is available for pre-order now through Aug. 29th for $12 (the price will increase to $16 once the calendar is officially released in September).

Click here to check out Kate's Etsy shop, along with AC's blog that chronicles his adventures as a kitty model.

Kitty Channels Classic Monsters In 2013 Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar

Upcoming Book Reveals Julia Child's Lifelong Love Affair With Cats

Legendary "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" chef Julia Child may be best known for her love of cooking, but did you know that she was also a lifelong feline fanatic?

LA Weekly reports that an upcoming book titled "Julia's Cats: Julia Child's Life in the Company of Cats" by Patricia Barey and Therese Burson is set to offer an intimate look into her private world through letters exchanged with her husband and original interviews with those who knew her best.

"The world knows Julia Child as the charismatic woman who brought French cuisine to America and became a TV sensation, but there’s one aspect of her life that’s not so familiar," the description reads. "Soon after the Childs arrived in Paris in 1948, a French cat appeared on their doorstep, and Julia recalled, “Our domestic circle was completed.” Minette captured Julia’s heart, igniting a lifelong passion for cats equaled only by her love of food and her husband, Paul. All the cherished feline companions who shared Julia’s life—in Paris, Provence, and finally California—reminded her of that magical time in Paris when her life changed forever."

There's also an excerpt from the prologue that will have you tearing up before you even make it to the first chapter. Here, her assistant relates the touching scene that occurred the night of her passing in 2004 at the age of 91:

"A beloved dinner companion that night was a wild little black-and-white kitten named Minou, who shared Julia's home in a retirement community near Santa Barbara. Full of feline joie de vivre, Minou was the soul mate who brightened Julia's days. When she was ready for bed, the kitten curled up in his customary spot on the right side of the pillow. Minou kept watch through the night as Julia's charmed life ebbed away, where she said it all truly began, in the company of cats."

Is this the purrfect sequel to "Julie and Julia", or what? "Julia's Cats" is available now for pre-order on Amazon, and will be released on August 1st.

Via La Weekly

Click here to vote once every 24 hours!

Upcoming Book Reveals Julia Child's Lifelong Love Affair With Cats

Lea Michele Watches TV With Her Cat Just Like The Rest Of Us

Lea Michele looks dazzling on the latest cover of Prestige Hong Kong, but it's what she had to tell the mag that really makes her shine to cat ladies everywhere. When asked if she has a wild side, the 25-year-old Glee-star copped to having 14 tattoos (where is she hiding them??), before admitting that like most of us, she comes home "every single night" to watch reality TV with her cat, Sheila.

Sheila

Michele rescued the Tortoiseshell cutie off of the Paramount lot in 2009 along with several of her furry siblings. Three of the cats were taken in by one of the show's directors, while another one - later named named Zach - was adopted by Heather Morris, who plays Brittany on the hit Fox series.

What do you think Sheila's favorite show is?

Via Prestige Hong Kong / People Pets / Sheila photo via Twitter (@msleamichele)

Lea Michele Watches TV With Her Cat Just Like The Rest Of Us

I Am A Cat Person (And So Are You)

We Are Cat People - Purina Cat Chow

When I arrived at Target at 7am to wait in line for the Jason Wu collection to go on sale the morning of Super Bowl Sunday, I only had one goal in mind: Get a Milu the cat shirt, tote, and scarf. A long line had steadily formed, and when the doors finally opened an hour later, I made a dash for the accessories department and grabbed the tote emblazoned with a black cat on the front. With it barely in my grasp, I turned and raced across the aisle to the clothing section to find some cat t-shirts to try on before they were all snatched up.

My sense of relief at getting a tote and shirt was short lived, before it hit me like a thunderbolt that I hadn't seen the scarf. I raced back over to the accessories rack, but no more than three minutes later, it was completely picked clean. My heart sank as I made my way to the fitting room to try on the shirts.

Outside, I encountered a young woman standing in front of a shopping cart, holding up the cat scarf to examine it. I uncharacteristically approached her, and in a feline fashion induced frenzy blurted out, "I'll trade you a shirt for that scarf!"

She thought about it for a moment, nodding her head and giving me a sad look. The woman next to her, who appeared to be her mom, delivered the final, crushing blow: "Sorry, we're cat people."

Admittedly, it took everything in me not to shout back "If you only knew!" - which I didn't, because I am (mostly) a sane person and, um - it was just a scarf. I certainly couldn't begrudge them for liking cats, and in retrospect, I probably should've just given them my business card and chalked it up to marketing experience.

In the end, my cat lady karma paid off and I eventually got a scarf (which I proudly wear every day to show that I am a cat person™) thanks to Janine and Cree. While at the time I beat myself up for not being able to get one for myself, it honestly means that much more because it came from the hands of fellow cat lovers and friends.

I don't need anyone to tell me there are all kinds of cat people in this world, but a heartwarming video like this helps to remind us we're not alone (even if it that means we all want to wear the same scarf). However, if eating ice cream in my pajamas is all it takes to earn the "crazy cat lady" moniker these days - then count me in!

I Am A Cat Person (And So Are You)

Cat Loving Model Shows Kitty Pride in Stylestalker Fashion Shoot

Model Anja Konstantinova really, really loves cats, but I don't think anyone would dare accuse this Russian-born beauty of being a crazy cat lady. The ailurophile recently posed alongside a regal white kitty for Australian label Stylestalker's look book for their "Baby's on Fire" collection, and was able to release her inner feline by wearing cat ears, and displaying some of her cat tattoos.

In a behind-the-scenes interview from the shoot, Anja reveals that she has three cats of her own, and is often told she must have been a cat in her past life. She also proudly shows off her four "cattoos," which include the word "Cat" on her neck, "Cat" in Russian on her arm, "MEOW" written on her inner bottom lip, and a Baby Phat-esque kitty on her side. Check out some images from the shoot below, and a few more over at Fashionista.

Via Fashionista

Cat Loving Model Shows Kitty Pride in Stylestalker Fashion Shoot

AC Kitty Rocks Out for Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar

I don't remember exactly when I first came across the fabulous Kate Funk, but what I do know is that I was immediately smitten with her furbulous black cat, AC, whose image graces numerous greeting cards and an annual calendar in her Etsy shop.

Kate lives in Milwaukee, Wis., where she photographs her famous cat, who writes his own blog in between modeling gigs. I recently talked to her about AC's latest venture, the 2012 edition of his Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar, and found out a little more about this cool cat lady and her feline muse!

Read on for more!

AC Rocks Out

Hi Kate! Please tell me about AC. How did he come into your life?

I got AC as a kitten from a no kill shelter here in Milwaukee back in 2006. He had been found abandoned in a box and covered with fleas in someone's garage along with all of his brothers and sisters. I thought was funny when I read your blog post about how black kittens aren't adopted as easily - because it's so true. He was the only black kitten in the litter, and when I initially went in to talk to them about adopting a kitten they told me it usually takes a week or two for the process, but when I picked out AC they dropped him off the next day at my house - just happy that someone would take him.

They don't know his actual date of birth, but we celebrate it on Cinco de Mayo. He's been my #1 buddy ever since, despite everyone thinking he must hate me because I dress him up all of the time.

AC's full name is actually Annoying Customer, based on the movie Clerks. I had to shorten it to AC though, because I had a a customer at a craft show think I was calling her an annoying customer when she asked what his name was and stormed off.

What inspired you to start photographing him?

The first greeting card of him actually started as a joke. I found out early on that he really doesn't seem to mind wearing hats or clothes like other cats do. And I have a friend who would always pick on him for being such a grump - so I took the first photo of him to make into a greeting card for her (it's the AC Happy Birthday card).

I liked it so much that I started giving it out to other friends on their birthdays - one of whom happened to work with me at a paper store here in Milwaukee. Our boss saw it on his desk and asked me if I had anymore because she's love to carry them in the store. I quickly came up with a couple of other designs, started selling them at that store, and eventually worked my way into other stores. I think it's so funny that what started out as a joke became what I do now - and I love it.

AC Rotten

How long does it take you to the shoot the calendar?

It usually takes about 8 months - I always try to start in January and tell myself I'll get it done by May, but it never happens that way. I do videography for weddings, too, so once June hits it's harder for me to get anything done. Once I'm done I send the photos to my partner, Brennan Groh, who does the design for it. And then finally it goes to the printers. So it's kind of a long process.

How did you decide on this year's musical theme?

Brennan and I usually take the time while we're sitting at craft fairs to sit and brainstorm what we'll do for the following year. Last year I had done the AC be Ballin' card just for fun and really liked how it turned out - so we decided to continue on that theme with having different musical genres for all of the months. Next year, though, we decided we're going to let AC's fans choose (I'm always getting tons of suggestions from people).

There is going to be info in the upcoming calendar as well as on my blog once the calendar officially comes out about a contest on AC's blog where people can give us their ideas for what they'd like to see for 2013. AC, Brennan, and I will vote on our favorite and the winner will receive a free copy of the calendar once it comes out.

Special thanks to Kate for taking the time to answer my questions! You can pre-order AC's 2012 Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar from now through October 12th for just 12 bucks, and Kate also has an awesome selection of AC greeting cards in her Etsy shop for all of your holiday needs, including a new AC is a Mummy card for Halloween!

AC Kitty Rocks Out for Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar

The Amazing Acro-Cats Documentary

The Amazing Acro-Cats from Brett Whitcomb on Vimeo.

Samantha Martin knew she wanted to be an animal trainer since she was 7, and it was that continued passion as an adult that led her to the creation of The Amazing Acro-Cats.

The traveling show consists of one part circus act and one part rock show, where cats jump through hoops, balance on balls, and "The Rock-cats" take the stage playing tiny instruments. All of the "performers" belong to Martin, and many of them are rescues.

Each performance is a unique event based on the unpredictability of cats, and audience members are encouraged to wear kitty ears to get in the mood. This short documentary, shot by Brett Whitcomb and filmed at Super Happy Fun Land in Houston, Texas focuses on Samantha's unique lifestyle, and her talented troupe of kitties.

To learn more about The Amazing Acro-Cats, visit their website at circuscats.com, or follow them on Facebook to find a show near you. I've heard they're really great, and have my paws crossed for some East Coast tour dates!

The Amazing Acro-Cats Documentary

One Cool Cat Lady: Kitty Cassandra

Peanut Butter & Jelly Kitty

Artist Cassandra Graus, otherwise known as Kitty Cassandra, is a self-proclaimed cat painter, inspired by her flat-faced exotic felines. Graus creates her art on commission, but also has an online print store filled with cute and quirky creations of her signature rounded cats.

She lives in Virginia with her husband Joe ("the father of her cat-babies"), and their four kitties, Walnut, Caruthers, Fergie, and Templeton. While currently working a regular day job, Cassie hopes to one day devote all of her time to cat painting, "and making the world more absurd and ridiculous -- absurcuous -- one custom painting at a time."

With nearly a year long waiting list for her commissioned work, an appearance on Animal Planet's Cats 101, and a published children's book under her belt, I'd say this emerging talent is well on her way!

Cassie recently agreed to sit down and answer some of my questions, and we talked about everything from how she became a cat artist, to why food figures so prominently into her work!

Read on for more!

Cat Nap

Hey Cassie! Please tell us a little bit about how you got started painting.

I had always painted as a kid, what with my father being a painter and artist, I suppose it's in my blood. I had even drawn cats as a kid, but I really got into painting cats my last semester of college, when my coursework was winding down and I could finally take up a hobby!

So I had my husband (fiancee at the time) drive me to Michael's (I didn't have a car) to buy brushes and two canvases, and I sold those first two paintings a week later for $100 to a nice lady on a Persian cats forum, and I just kept practicing and painting from there!

Cats is Peeple Too

With a million zillion infinite possibilities in terms of painting subjects, what made you decide to become a cat artist?

If nothing else, the internet has shown me that I am not alone in finding anthropomorphized cats to be hilarious, so I knew there would be an audience. Cats are so human-like, even the worst parts of humanity, from killing things for sport all the way down to general, everyday mischief-making.

But on the other hand they're pretty harmless and lack the mental and physical faculties to purposefully ruin anything too important, so the contrast between inner evil and the inability to do any real harm is funny to me. And I've always wanted to make people laugh, so I thought that painting would be a good way to channel that! The feeling I get from people pointing and giggling at something I've created is the best ever.

House Cat

Tell us about your cats!

I have four cats, Walnut, Caruthers, and Fergie (all girl exotic shorthairs) and Templeton (a himalayan male). Walnut is extremely lazy and sleeps in Joe's spot on the bed (with her head on his pillow) while he's away all day like she's holding vigil; Caruthers is just dismayed at most things and looks disapproving all the time (but the only time she ever meows is when we clip her nails, because it's the worst thing she will ever experience); Fergie is shy and reserved and would rather watch you from a dark, hidden place; and Templeton is a holy terror -- a very vocal, hyperactive little boy who antagonizes his poor sisters and loves every minute of it.

Nice Things

How are the cats involved in your creative process? Are they allowed in the room where you paint?

It's funny you mention that, because I always have to lock them up in the bedroom while I'm painting, I call it "losing their privileges." If I don't, they will stomp in a puddle of paint, step on my canvas if it's laying flat, storm onto the table I'm painting on, wisp their tail across a wet canvas and leave a couple hairs behind -- it's a disaster. I have more than once had to wash paint off of cats' paws so they won't lick it off and poison themselves. Chances are there are several cat hairs in every painting I've done.

Meatball & Kitty Sub Sandwich

I'm in love with all of your work, but some of my favorite paintings are your food related pieces like Peanut Butter & Jelly Kitty, Kitty Sundae, Meatball & Kitty Sub Sandwich, etc. What inspired these kitty culinary creations?

I am a foodie at heart and take great joy in eating, maybe more than most people, so food is often top-of-mind for me, so I guess that manifests itself when I'm sketching random things to paint. I think putting cats on/in food is also an ode to surrealism (which I've always loved, especially Magritte and Botero) combined with that evil element: if a cat could comfortably curl up in a cat-sized, warm meatball sub, it totally would, and ruining your meal would just be an added bonus in their mind.

What was it like being featured on Cats 101? (Click here to watch the clip)

It was really neat -- I've always been into show business and fascinated by TV/film behind-the-scenes stuff, so to have a camera guy, sound guy, producer, and production assistant come into my home and put a mic on me and just tape for like 5 hours was like a dream come true. When CATS 101 first messaged me through my Etsy page telling me about how they're looking for an "off-beat" story about someone who works with exotic shorthairs, I -- and especially my husband -- thought it might be a scam, but I gave them a call and my naïveté finally paid off.

What's up next for Kitty Cassandra?

I would really like to work with a big publisher on a funny storybook, either for kids or adults, or work for a greeting card company, and just keep doing custom work of people's pets!

If someone wants to buy or commission a painting from you, how can

they go about doing so?

They can send me an e-mail through my website, www.kittycassandra.com, and let me know exactly what they want. It might take a year at least, though, as I have a bit of a waiting list... :)

***

Thanks so much to Cassie for taking the time to answer my questions! If you'd like to learn more about her, commission a painting, or order a print, visit her website for more information! She also has a Facebook fan page where you can follow her latest updates, and a brand spankin' new blog, too!

One Cool Cat Lady: Kitty Cassandra

The Catsparella Podcast Episode 2: Exclusive Sarah Donner Interview & Performance!

The Catsparella Podcast: Episode 2, Enhanced Version from Monster Movie Media on Vimeo.

Click HERE to stream the episode online, or right click to download and save!

Welcome back for another edition of The Catsparella Podcast! In this episode, check out my exclusive interview with indie folk pop star Sarah Donner, who has embraced the cat lady inside of her!

Sarah is an animal advocate who fosters kittens when she's not on tour, and even has a hit YouTube video featuring one of the kittens she rescued. Recently James and I sat down to speak with the talented singer, and were also treated to a live performance of two of her songs - "Treeline" (the sleepy kitten tune!) and "Going Under (In A Way)."

Sarah and me!

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

Sarah Donner Official Website
"Don't call me a crazy cat lady" - The Conscious Cat
"Animal Planet's 'Help! I'm Becoming a Cat Lady!' special: 10 pitch-purrrfect sound bites" - EW.com
My Cat From Hell
Douchecat

The Rock-Cats

The Oatmeal

"Going Under" official music video by Sarah Donner

Sarah Donner and the sleepy kitten, the very OFFICIAL 'Treeline' video

The Catsparella Podcast is produced by James H. Carter II for Monster Movie Media. If you are interested in sponsoring a future episode of show, please contact me at catsparella@gmail.com for more information.

The Catsparella Podcast Episode 2: Exclusive Sarah Donner Interview & Performance!

Saying Goodbye To One Cool Cat Lady: Lilian Jackson Braun

In some sad news this week, several media outlets have reported that author Lilian Jackson Braun, famous for her "The Cat Who..." mystery novel series, has passed away at the age of 97. In her long career, Braun wrote twenty-nine novels and three short stories, all but one with the word "Cat" in the title.

While many obituaries I read mentioned the fictional cats in her books, I became increasingly interested on one thing: What inspired her to start writing these mysterious cat tales to begin with?

An internet search revealed a republished profile from 1987 with The Detroit Free Press, where she worked as "The Good Living" editor for 30 years. In the piece, Braun talked openly about her own cats, and revealed the unfortunate origin of the feline-centric mystery series:

"Braun, who formerly worked as an advertising writer and later as living section editor of the Free Press, traces the start of her literary activity to a cat tragedy. In the early 1960s, she and her first husband lived in a 10th-floor apartment in Detroit, where they kept a pet Siamese, the first Koko.

"When he was two years old, he slipped out and was killed in a fall from a 10th-floor window, " Braun recalls. "I was heartbroken." Later, when neighbors told Braun someone had pushed Koko from the window, her sorrow turned to anger.

"I began having nightmares about friends and relatives falling from 10th-floor windows, " she says. "I realized that to get rid of these feelings I'd have to write about it. So I wrote a short story, based on the episode."

The resulting tale, "The Sin of Madame Phloi," caught the eye of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, which bought it. The late critic Anthony Boucher, a detective writer himself, hailed the author as "a fabulous fabricator of felonious feline fiction."

Meanwhile, Braun had replaced the original Koko with Siamese littermates, Koko II and Yum-Yum, who became models for her fictional cats. When Koko and Yum-Yum died, Braun brought in Pooh-Bah and Pitti-Sing to carry on the cat mystery tradition."

[You can read the profile in its entirety here.]

I'm embarrassed to admit I haven't read any books in "The Cat Who..." series (what kind of cat lady am I, anyway?) but plan on picking one up soon in honor of Braun, who was able to turn her passion for cats into a lifelong career.

Do you have any favorites that you'd recommend?

Image credit: Daddyo Fattyo

Saying Goodbye To One Cool Cat Lady: Lilian Jackson Braun

One Cool Cat Lady: RadCat

Amelia RadCat - $32.00

Amelia is Azalia's twin sister! She is obviously the nerdy one of the bunch - she loves playing Nintendo and doing crossword puzzles.

I've decided to keep the One Cool Cat Lady series going, by continuing to profile kick-ass gals (and guys! I want to do a "One Cool Cat Dude" post, too) who have made a career out of following their passion for all things cat.

Fitting in perfectly with this theme, I recently came across RadCat, a brand spankin' new Etsy shop devoted to adorable handmade vintage fabric cat dolls, that come complete with unique names, personalities, and adoption certificates!

Leroy Lemon RadCat - $28.00

Leroy Lemon loves lemon head candy and going bowling (although, he's not the best at it - he just likes the fancy shoes.) He's bright as a ray of sunshine and wants to make you laugh!

RadCat with her three kitties: Luna, Pooki, and Star (the RadCat mascot!)

So who is the cool cat chick behind this budding kitty brand? I found out that RadCat is Melanie: A photographer, artist, and most importantly, a self-proclaimed, "Professional Cat Lady!"

In a story that I'm sure many of us can relate to, Melanie says:

"RadCat began when I realized I needed to follow my heart and be a Professional Cat Lady instead of working at a job that paid the bills but didn't feed my creative soul in any way. I quit the 9-5 corporate gig to devote myself full time to my two passions and callings in life - cats and photography!

It also started after my oldest cat Star was diagnosed with cancer and went through several surgeries last year. I realized my time with this precious creature is so short, and these photographs I have of him will live on forever and always remind me of his sweet and crazy antics whenever I look at them.

Star is doing great now, and is currently the mascot as well as the cat behind the logo of RadCat!"

In addition the cutie dolls, RadCat, who is also the brains behind the popular somavenus shop, also offers professional cat photography. The Portland, Ore. based photog will do in-your-home photo sessions, designed to "spoil and pamper your favorite Rad Cat!"

I love the inspiring story behind RadCat, and wish Melanie the best of luck on her journey! Check out her Etsy shop for her adorable plush kitties, and visit her website to learn more about her professional cat photography services!

***

Are you One Cool Cat Lady (or Guy?) If your job involves your passion for cats, email me at catsparella@gmail.com and tell me your story!

One Cool Cat Lady: RadCat

One Cool Cat Lady: Kristiina Wilson, Fashion Photographer

Photo shoot for Tokion Magazine / Model: Tess Frazer

Kristiina Wilson likes cats! The NYC based fashion and beauty photographer has seven kitties in her house, along with twelve fosters in her studio that she plans to raise and adopt out in pairs.

(Click images to enlarge)

Wilson's permanent brood includes Emmi (a Bengal mix, 9), Pumpkin (an orange and white girl, 8), Marvin (a Bombay girl, 7), Mr Grumpy (a Maine Coon, 6), Steve B (a Tuxedo boy that can open doors, turn on lights and get in the fridge, 2), Mimi (a Tabby girl who is great at being a foster mom to kittens, 1), and Party (a Tabby boy that Mimi helped raised after his mom and two brothers died from illness, 3 months).

The cat loving lady doesn't just live with cats, she also includes them in her work whenever possible. Last year, she did two shoots with her own cats (and some rescue/fosters she had as kittens at the time) for Tokion magazine and VS fashion magazine. She also recently did a shoot at Caboodle Ranch cat sanctuary, which will be released later this month.

I asked Kriistina how she got her start in photography, and she explained that it began in high school.

She says, "I didn't get into fashion until a few years ago, because I was busy being an ARTIST. But fashion is a great marriage of art and commerce, and I get to work with my friends and pretty much shoot whatever I want. I love it! I studied photography in college at NYU and in Finland, where I got my Master's Degree, but those programs were all very fine art based."

I know from experience that cats are not always the most cooperative subjects, but Kristiina still manages to get the most amazing shots. I wanted to know if she faced any unique challenges when photographing animals, but surprisingly, she didn't seem to think so.

Photo shoot for VS Magazine / Model: Steve B

She revealed, "Kittens are more difficult because they want to run around like crazy, but since I work with cats so much, I pretty much know the drill at controlling them.

And my own cats all know what being photographed means, and Steve and Mr Grumpy actually really like posing and are very good models. They give lots of little changes and understand that we are finished when the camera goes down. So a shoot with cats is generally faster than one with human models, for me."

Mr Grumpy

So what else does Wilson like most about photographing cats over any other subject? It should come as no surprise that her answer was, "Everything!"

Special thanks to Kristiina for sharing her images, and for taking the time to answer my questions! I'm in love with her work, and can't wait to see what other kitty-themed shoots she cooks up in the future! For more info, you can check out her website here.

(Thanks for the tip, Megan!)

One Cool Cat Lady: Kristiina Wilson, Fashion Photographer