IN PHOTOS: Remembering The Best Of Katya, A Maltese Fashion Icon And LGBTQ+ Trailblazer
Today, Malta’s LGBTQ+ community was left in shock by the loss of one of its most outspoken members.
Katya, a trans cabaret dancer who stood up for LGBTQ+ rights in Malta for decades, impacted so many lives in the local scene. Since her death, prominent personalities in the fashion community have opened up about her legacy, and lamented how one of the brightest lights in Malta has now been extinguished.
Kris Micallef
Photographer/LGBTQ+ party promoter
“One of my favourite moments with her was when she invited me to her place and showed me some of the work she did. The first time we met and I told her I’m a photographer, we immediately clicked. She started posing for me and it was so beautiful to watch her. So elegant. So inspiring!”
Above photos: Kris Micallef
Charles van Maarschalkerweerd Borg
Designer, one half of Charles & Ron
“Katya was very special and unique an icon to the LGBTQ community. She had the courage to be herself way back when it was still very difficult and dangerous to do so. Her sense of style and elegance was unparalleled and she was our muse for several years and always of great inspiration until today and always will be. As a friend we had enormous amounts of fun as her wit and sense of humour were also one of kind. She was one of the first to believe in us in our early days and we will dedicate our next collection that we are launching in NY (her favourite city) on 9th February in her honour.”
Maria Moller
Owner of Fly the Fly Vintage
“There is so much so tell about Katya, you could write a whole book about her life. She went through so much to be herself. So many battles inside of her but also so many beautiful stories. She was such a warm hearted person, she was loud, she was extravagant, full of flair and playful.”
“My heart is broken. Kaka, the last thing you said to me was, ‘Maria don’t forget I love you, even if you are more crazy than me.'”
“I will miss all our talks about life, love, sex and sorrows.
I will miss how much we were teasing each other and who forced hug each other first. Today I have your letter close to me. Bye, dearest Katya.”
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