A brilliant actor, mother and business woman, Kate Hudson is beyond inspiring and the ultimate cool girl – her super-fit physique, flawless sense of style, and blowout Halloween parties are just the icing on the cake. In short: we’ve got a major girl crush. As our latest Woman of Style, Kate is giving us a look into her busy, beautiful world including her new partnership with Los Angeles-based fitness startup Fabletics (it’s super-chic and affordable!) as well as some of her work/life balancing tricks and fashion must-haves.
Kate Dishes With TZR
Her First Job
Kate as a teenager. Photo: Getty Images
"The first place I ever worked was a small boutique clothing store in Manhattan Beach when I was 16 years old."
Her Role Models
Kate as a child with her parents and siblings. Photo: Getty Images
"My parents were, and still are, my biggest role models. The relationship between parent and child can be complicated, but when it is healthy and nurturing, it's a vital part of who you become as you get older."
The Best Career Advice She's Ever Received
Kate as Penny Lane in Almost Famous. Photo: Paramount
"When you choose to go into a creative field, you are choosing a roller coaster ride. A creative career is not the most stable choice. That said, I think the best advice I’ve received is that if I’m going to choose to be an actress, it has to be a real passion so that the roller coaster ride becomes a part of what fuels you as an artist. 'If you don’t love it, I suggest you quit,' was the actual quote that someone once said to me."
Lessons Learned From Acting
Kate on the set of Cutlass, a short film which she wrote and directed. Photo: New England Film
"There have been so many lessons! The great thing about my profession is that we learn something new with every project. Learning something new in every experience is the most fun thing about being an actor or making films. I would say my interest in the process and the lessons I've learned in the process are the ones that have been most memorable."
"I learn the most when I’m behind the camera as a producer and through my experience directing. I like to bring that knowledge to whatever film I’m making. It’s a collaborative effort and through the many dimensions that happen on a movie set, the lessons I’ve learned the most have been from directors on how they communicate on set with their actors, how they command a set and how they work fast on their feet, making strong decisions that will inform the rest of their movie. Overall, you have to know the story you are telling and when you know the story, communication becomes clear and everyone is on the same page."
How She Chooses New Projects
Kate in Atelier Versace at the 2014 Oscars. Photo: Getty Images
"It depends. First and foremost, I look at the director. I think in the years that I’ve been working, with success and failures, at this point in my career, I’m really only looking to work with directors who inspire me. Secondly, a film with a great screenplay, although those are challenging to find. So when you do find one, it’s something that you want to get made and hopefully be a part of."
How She Stays Fit
Kate wearing Fabletics leggings and sports bra after working out. Photo: FameFlynet Pictures
"Everything! I try to be active 6 days a week. My rule is to try and break a sweat 6 days a week, whether through an intense workout or running around with the kids. I just try to break a sweat."
On Her Partnership With Fabletics
Kate, in her first Fabletics campaign. Photo: Courtesy
"Once I met with the Fabletics team and learned about their business plan and philosophy, I became inspired by the message. Something that’s important to me in my life and something I look forward to is creating a community where women can feel motivated and set goals for themselves. I believe that with anything in life, you need motivation. The one thing that women always talk about is how they’d like to find time for themselves to make themselves happy. Being active can be challenging, but it’s one of the greatest health benefits. To be able to create a product that I’m passionate about was an easy decision."
Being active is something we need to teach our children - and it starts with the mommies. It’s motivating to see women enjoy being active and stylish at the same time.
Her Workout Must-Have
Kate in Fabletics leggings. Photo: Courtesy
"Leggings! Not only have women responded to those, but for me personally, I wear mine to work out, and then, they can be worn out to lunch or to run errands in. We have some that are very athletic-focused, while others are solid colors that are very versatile and can be worn out with a tunic."
Her Exercise-To-Errands Outfit
Fabletics Forward Burnout Tee, $20; Sevan Black Sports Bra, $20; Lima Capri Leggings in Flame Orange, $40.
"A black legging or colorful legging (I love the bright red color we have), a seamless sports bra and one of our great tanks. On our website, you can find great clothes to work out in and stylish, comfortable options to wear out and about."
Her Career Goals
Kate with her son in Ann Taylor's spring 2014 campaign. Photo: Ann Taylor
"My goals haven’t changed since I started acting, which is to constantly play different characters and continue to challenge myself in roles. I look forward to being behind the camera - that’s where my life started, and I hope that later in life I do more work behind the camera. I love producing and I love to direct."
"As for fashion, it’s something that I’ve always been passionate about. I’m really a girly girl! I love clothes, accessories, makeup, you name it! Lately I’ve been getting my feet wet in designing and love the process. The most rewarding thing is making other women feel good in clothes. This job has also allowed me to be closer to my kids and be at home with them more."
Her Fashion Staples
Kate in platform heels and a Gucci suit at the 2012 Venice Film Festival. Photo: Getty Images
"A great pair of jeans that fits your body shape is an absolute staple for every woman. And of course, heels! A smaller pump that is comfortable is cool, but I just love higher heels because they make the foot and the leg look sexy. Also, sunglasses! Shading our eyes from the sun is important, but sunglasses become an accessory with which we can express ourselves. They come in all different shapes, color and sizes and can really complete an outfit while showing your personality."
On Her Shopping Wishlist
Isabel Marant, $2435
"Great question! On my wish list would be the coral Fabletics legging that will be out soon. I can’t wait to have those in my closet. There is also an Isabel Marant leather shirt with a long slit on the shoulder that runs all the way down the arm that is definitely on my wish list."
What Makes Her Feel Glamorous
Kate at the Golden Globes. Photo: @rachel_roy.
"Champagne and lipstick!"
How She Finds Balance
Kate and Stella McCartney at the 2013 Elle Style Awards. Photo: Instagram
"Balance is the hardest thing for any woman, whether you are a working single woman, a working mother, or a full-time mother - balance is the number one thing we all talk about. Women are known to be the nurturer of connection and home and keeping it together, so it’s challenging to balance everything. Whether it be with friendships, relationships, raising your children, how women manage relationships in the workplace, it’s a constant question we continue to talk about."
"For me personally, I try my best to stay tuned to what I am capable of. I can feel when I’m over-stretching. At those times, it’s really important for me to take a step back and be objective about my capabilities. When my kids show signs of discontent or anxiety, that is when I reassess and rebalance - I can tell if I’m balancing well if my kids are happy."
How She Teaches Her Kids About Fitness
Kate with her kids at the airport. Photo: Getty Images
"I just want them to have fun and enjoy what it is to be active - so, we play! It’s important to be involved in team sports, as well as individual sports. We are a dancing household. We turn on music and just dance, and within 15 minutes we are sweating, laughing and having a joyous experience. It’s something I grew up with and think it’s something to ingrain in their brains. If I let them be spirited and have that exuberance in life, it will naturally be a part of their lives."
How She Unwinds After A Long Day
Kate with her fiancé Matt Bellamy. Photo: Getty Images
"I think any mom will relate to this. When you’ve had a long day or stressful day, your kids don’t care. So the day doesn’t end until they go to sleep. I try as hard as I can to not let that affect me. If I can’t fight it, I let my kids know that Mommy needs a couple of minutes to myself to unwind. I go into my room and put on my comfortable clothes. Then I sit with myself and breathe deeply, and try to relax so that I can prepare to be present with my kids."
Three Things We Don't Know About Kate
Photo: Getty Images
"One of the things that people don’t know is that I’m a homebody, I love being at home. Another thing is that I am completely obsessed with the science of the brain. It’s something my mother has passed on to me and that I'm passionate to learn about. Another thing people don’t know about me is that I’ll eat anything. There is nothing that I won’t try. I’ll try anything, as crazy as it is!"
