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I RISE: A Fashion Story of Connection, Creativity & Sea Breeze Magic
- Sassy
- 33 minutes ago
- 4 min read
With Pattern Nation x Katharyna Araujo
In 2024, at Ground Zero - the most magical café and artist lounge tucked in the heart of Observatory, Cape Town - my partner and I found ourselves sharing a table with a radiant creative spirit. Dressed head-to-toe in a fabulous purple outfit and lost in her sketchbook, Katharyna immediately stood out. What began as casual conversation over coffee quickly unfolded into a deep and spontaneous connection rooted in creativity, expression, and mutual admiration.
Fast forward to February of this year: back in Cape Town, we finally had the opportunity to reunite and bring that shared energy into a visual collaboration. The result? An editorial fashion photoshoot and a dreamlike fashion film set to Katharyna’s original track, I Rise - a soulful anthem of empowerment, transformation, and rising into one’s fullest expression.
The collection featured in the shoot showcases our latest line of Pattern Nation T-shirts; each printed with original art designs sewn and printed in Cape Town on %100 Cotton. We also included the newest release from our monthly Vancouver-based event series, the AMA HOUSE merch tee. The looks were styled with a playful mix of Pattern Nation shorts, curated sunglasses, glasses chains and earrings sourced in Cape Town, and hand-made necklaces designed by me—crafted from freshwater pearls and second-hand beads.
Shooting on the beach at Sea Point, the wind whipping through our hair and the sun catching every glint of glitter and charm, it was impossible not to feel the magic. Katharyna brought our pieces to life—not just with her stunning presence, but with a raw authenticity and charisma that made the whole day feel effortless.
To learn more about the mind and soul behind the art, we sat down with Katharyna after the shoot to talk music, fashion, and what it means to rise.
I found that touching base with my childlike personality made it easy to express my style again
How do you use fashion and style as a tool to express yourself?
K: For a long time, I didn’t consider stylish, people around me questioned and made fun of my style for being uniquely expressive, I lost hope in fashion at my young age, but when I moved to Cape Town, I was surrounded by people who took ownership in expressing themselves uniquely, I found that touching base with my childlike personality made it easy to express my style again.
You are a multi-disciplinary artist who has skill in so many mediums, visual arts, such as painting and illustration, writing, hosting events, walking in the ballroom scene, stunt work in the film industry, professional mma fighting, jujitsu and more. Tell us how do you find balance in your life while also exploring your passions?
I take one day at the time, knowing that Im a skillfull artist, I choose everyday what aspects of my life I can focus on and try to get some rest between.
I take one day at the time, knowing that I'm a skillfull artist
As a queer polyamorous person how do you navigate the masculine and feminine sides to yourself in your style, personal life and career?
I blend them, I match them, I mismatch them, I use my style to express both of my non comforming genders, but most importantly, I always prime for confort.
What drew you to Pattern Nation’s clothes/vibe? and how do you use colour in your life, knowing that you love all things purple.
Comfort! When I used the pattern nations merch, it felt like it was part of my skin, plus, there was always purple somewhere.
You wrote and published a book titled Cocoon, can you tell our readers a bit about it and where they can leave more about your self-help and motivational work?
Cocoon is a self help journal that I wrote to keep track of the steps I took in life that worked, I needed a journal that helped me see my achievements more than just a task, this journal helps the readers connect with themselves while acknowledging that they are the creators of their own safety.
You have a handful of experiences that helps you see life better than your own two eyes
We met you in Cape Town, but you are now living in Lisbon and are originally from Angola, how has living in different countries shaped your identity?
Being a nomad is quite special - you constantly have to adapt to the culture and environment you are in, but when you leave, you have a handful of experiences that helps you see life better than your own two eyes. I love travelling the world and connecting with people.
Lastly, is there anything else you want to share with qwear fashion readers, any thing you want to promote or shout out?
I'd like to give a shout out to my first movie as myself, coming out this year, Street Trash! I finally landed a role using my own face and coordinating my own moves, stay tuned!
Follow Katharyna’s journey online @shero_warrior
And shop Pattern Nation T-shirts and more www.pattern-nation.com
Team Credits:
Model: Katharyna Araujo
Photographer: Costa Besta
Video Editing: Cebo Nxumalo
Clothing & Accessories: Pattern Nation
Styling & Article: Cyd Eva
Location: Sea Point beach Cape Town South Africa