Kate Bosworth, actress

This month’s cover girl Kate Bosworth talks exclusively to harperbazaar.com.au about her style, birthdays and film roles …

Kate Bosworth, actress, star style


How would you describe your style?
“It’s based purely on my mood. Today this outfit is probably because of the weather (Bosworth is wearing black leggings and a purple and black plaid shirt from Sportsgirl) or maybe it’s because I’ve just bought this shirt. It’s a mix of grunge and [the TV show], My So-called Life. Do you remember that show with Claire Danes? God, I was obsessed with it when I was younger. A sullen teenager obsessed with Jared Leto’s character. I don’t care where something’s from as long as I like it. I’m not a label freak. I obviously appreciate the best designers, but anything that suits a personality — vintage, $35 Sportsgirl, or Balenciaga — as long as you like it and feel good in it.”

Do you have any fashion icons?
“Clothes for me are an expression of mood. You see all these different kind of characters. I love [the model] Agyness Deyn — I’ve met her a few times. She is so down-to-earth, sweet and funny.”

How did your style evolve?
“If you looked at me in high school, I was a joke. In Boston, I put on hoodies and sneakers and trudged to school. I only became of my style when I felt I was becoming my own person. I didn’t really care before. My father has been in retail his whole life. I remember he bought me these plaid pants growing up and I thought they were so geeky, and here I am wearing a plaid shirt. It made me laugh. But he said to me when I was young ‘Don’t go along with the trends, don’t buy them, stick to classic pieces.’ My first encounter with beautiful fabrics was going into work with my dad at Zegna, I was about eight or nine. It was my first experience of learning the difference between something of incredibly high quality and appreciating it. That’s my father in a nutshell. He’s always instilled quality in me — in every department of life. Although, he wouldn’t be so psyched with this (Bosworth pulls at her shirt)!”

How do you choose your film roles?
“It’s all down to my mood. Good dialogue gets me hooked. I like to be able to delve into the mind of the role and have it feel so raw. With my role in Girl in The Park, I was just so intoxicated with the character … I like spark. I like someone who gives it back. Women who act victimised; that kind of character annoys me. I like simple character traits. It sounds simple to find that kind of thing, but it’s hard.”

Your birthday falls on January 2, the day after New Year’s Day. Love it or hate it?
“Well, obviously everyone is always really hungover on my birthday. This year, I spent it with a small group of friends. I’m not a socialite. My birthday is spent in a hair-of-the-dog kind of way. Having a birthday around New Year’s certainly makes me self-reflective. There’s always this moment of going into a little breakdown mode. Thinking of the next year, turning older. But after I get over that, I love it, I’m so happy.”

Photographed by Simon Lekias
Interview by Eugenie Kelly