By | Kiara Moore
Katelyn Nguyen is a Senior Fashion Merchandising student at Kent State University from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. DO IT 4 THE KULTURE, often referred to as D4K, was founded in February 2021. The brand focuses on the ideology that culture is “simply the way of life and is a key factor of uniting society.” Through illustration and design, D4K emphasizes the need to love streetwear culture through artistic expression.
The Element Magazine set down with Katelyn to get further insight into her inspiration behind D4K. When asked what her inspiration was, she told us, “Starting and running my own clothing brand played a pivotal role in helping me realize these were my true passions. As a brand owner, these skills are crucial. My lifelong interest in fashion inspired me to start my own brand, D4K (Do it 4 the Kulture) in February of 2021, ultimately providing me with an outlet for my creativity while also teaching me valuable lessons on how to run a business.”
As of August 2023, Katelyn has dropped 3+ collections with a variation of items such as hats, hoodies, shorts, and even jewelry. I personally have a few pieces of my own, and I must say that D4K perfectly represents minimalist streetwear. DO IT 4 THE KULTURE is for everyone who enjoys celebrating forms of art in relation to who they are and who they aspire to be.
ELEMENT: "What has impacted you the most since you started your entrepreneurial journey?"
KATELYN: "I take pride in my diverse skill set and open-mindedness to constantly learn. I value stepping outside of my comfort zone to explore multiple interests and passions without limiting myself to just one."
ELEMENT: "Speaking of passions, what else do you love to do outside of your business?"
KATELYN: "I actually have two other side hustles, graphic design and photography."
ELEMENT: "Wow, you do it all. Does that mean you handle all of the graphics and photoshoots for your page?"
KATELYN: "Yes! It takes time and dedication, but I enjoy being able to be so hands-on with my bra. It truly is a part of me in every aspect."
ELEMENT: "A true woman of the Arts, such an inspiration! So when can we expect the next drop for D4K? I would love a new hoodie to add to my collection!"
KATELYN: "You all can expect the next collection at the beginning of 2024. I really am taking my time to build a collection tailored to my love for fashion and what that really means to me."
ELEMENT: "We can’t wait to see the drop. Thank you Katelyn for sitting down with The Element Magazine! Where can we find you on social media?"
KATELYN: You can find me @katelyn3xa and D4K @d4kulture!
Lastly, Katelyn Nguyen is a creative that is multifaceted. Along with her clothing brand, Katelyn has a passion for photography where she states: “Capturing life through a lens quickly developed when I realized I have a keen eye for details, regardless of the subject.” Her work speaks for itself with Katelyn’s token minimalist aesthetic that captures subjects in their best light and editing that makes a statement. Her pursuit of graphic design and marketing naturally go hand in hand. She specializes in graphic design related to brand marketing, through mock-ups, typography, and visual communication. Katelyn is an inspiration because her creativity and vision always shines in her work, and her talent in every field is impactful because she doesn’t know how much it affects others!
Sources
Moore, K., & Nguyen, K. (2023, 18 August). Interview W/ Katelyn Nguyen. personal.
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