SLUG Style: Kat Aleman
Art and Fashion
Kat Aleman is a force to be reckoned with in the realm of local arts and beyond. As Events Manager for the Utah Arts Alliance and founder of her own booking and promotion business, Y’allt Entertainment, Kat’s marketing expertise and love for her community is responsible for countless events that bring life to Salt Lake City’s creative scenes. Keep up with her eclectic style on Instagram @ravemilk_ and her upcoming events through @yalltent.
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.
What are your stylistic influences? This could be a band, decade, fictional character—anything.
1950s pinup culture has had a chokehold on me since I was a teenager. Bettie Page was a huge influence on me growing up. I loved how fearless she was and I wanted to be just as fearless. If I could pick a fictional band I’ve taken influence from, it would be The Hex Girls from Scooby Doo.
You’ve mentioned the concept of having an “alter ego.” Who is she, and how is she different from the Kat we see in your professional work?
BeanKat vs. Kat is a pretty funny story. I live in two different but similar worlds between working in the nightlife and doing large scale city-wide events. I always joke when people ask me about it. I say that BeanKat is my “street name.” I chose “BeanKat” because well, who the fuck is going to forget a name like that? You’ll find BeanKat at your local venue, shooting the shit and probably causing some sort of ruckus. She’s in the mosh pit, joking with the bartenders and rallying with all the bands after the show. I try to keep “Kat” and “BeanKat” separate because in my day job with the UAA—working with the city, county and other organizations to pull off the incredible events we do—you kind of have to hide that feral side. I want people to take me seriously and see that I take a lot of pride in what I do for the local arts community. It’s a really fun balance at times. Who doesn’t want to grow up to be Batman?
What are your interests or hobbies? What is the hobby or interest that you have that no one would realize to ask you about?
Probably my love for cooking. Before I fell into booking and arts/entertainment I actually wanted to go to culinary school in Austin. I love trying new recipes and cooking for friends. I experiment a lot with ingredients and different flavors and use my friends as my test subjects.
A lot of your work with Y’allt and the Utah Arts Alliance has you surrounded by artists both musical and visual. Does your exposure to these different types of art have an impact on the way you dress and the styles you’re drawn to?
Absolutely it does. I’m very lucky that I’m surrounded by both, honestly. I take a lot of my personal style from those around me and I try to mix the two. I’ve realized over the years that you can tell my style is influenced by the type of art I’m drawn to at the time, with a hint of the genre of musicians I’m listening to. It’s fun because I tend to mix a few styles that are current and create something that’s uniquely my own. I love watching trends change and take shape in the different artistic communities I work in and it’s fun to adapt little hints of all of them.
Do you feel like your personal style has expanded as your work and creative endeavors have? For example, has the creation and expansion of Y’allt Entertainment had an impact on how you present yourself?
Definitely. As Y’allt has grown over the last year and a half I realized that I’m someone now that people know and recognize wherever I go. It’s a blessing and a curse. I try to curate my outfits to make a lasting impression because at this point, every opportunity could be a networking opportunity and I want to leave a lasting impression on everyone I come across.
Are you always “on” or would someone see you at the grocery store, for example, with less elements of your style?
Yes and no. If I’m going to the sevs down the street, you’ll probably find me in my Docs and sweats and a big sweater. But even then, to someone else, that might look really cool. I think style is just as much how you carry yourself as how you look.
What type of outfit or style do you feel most “yourself” in?
That’s a hard one! Probably anything in the realm of alternative/grunge. Whatever phase I happen to be in, I’ll always have elements of the alternative/grunge style in what I’m wearing.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those be?
Determined. Hopeful. Powerful.
If you could give fashion tips to a teenage version of yourself, what would you tell her?
Be bold and be loud always, push boundaries and buy the damn boots anyway!
Read more SLUG Style features:
SLUG Style: Charlie
SLUG Style: Cintia Lastra