Katya had the makings of a true star, and the way she lived her life is testament to this.

She was featured on Vogue magazine alongside Karl Lagerfeld, she modelled for famous photographers in London and New York in the 70s and 80s, and she was even said to have had an intimate friendship with David Bowie and a host of other celebrities…

In Malta, she modelled for the top designers, serving as muse for Charles & Ron.

But, perhaps more importantly, she was one of the first transgender women who broke boundaries in terms of sexual diversity and inclusion in Malta. To date, the legends that surround her life are endless.

“As one of the first openly transgender persons in Malta, Katya’s life was complicated. She made waves within the LGBTQ+ community for never compromising on her truth. But in reality, being Katya was not easy. Life for trans persons in the 70s and 80s, and even later, was not exactly straightforward, particularly in Malta,” Depares says.

“In these past months, I’ve stalked more people on social media than I care to admit. Joking apart, the research side of the book was one hell of a ride. I finally got to indulge in a spot of detective work, a side hustle I’ve wanted to try ever since I discovered the Nancy Drew detective books as a child,” the author continued.

She adds that the publication would not have been possible without the ever-patient cooperation of Katya’s closest family members and friends, especially her sister Marie-Therese Galea Bason. The research process, Depares reveals, took her through some unexpected roads and includes contributions by world-renowned photographer Sid Hoeltzell, film producer and director Mark Ezra and fashion designers Charles & Ron.

“The fact-checking needed to keep this biography faithful to reality was extensive. Katya was such a bigger-than-life personality, that she took on a kind of mythological status. There is some debunking of a couple of myths that may surprise those who knew her,” she says.

Depares adds that it was important to ensure the biography contained an honest portrayal of this magnificent woman, without sanitising any aspect of it. The publication includes photography, artworks, doodles and drawings that were sourced from various private collections, and from Katya’s own personal belongings.

“Katya’s life needs to be read in the context of the time she lived in, and the conditions she faced. Broadly speaking, society is now kinder. But members of the trans community do continue to face challenges. I hope that the book may offer some comfort to anyone struggling with gender identity,” Depares concludes.

Katya – Easy on the Tonic is published by MGRM with the support of VSOP. It will be available as of 17th December from the MGRM website against a donation in aid of the LGBTQI+ community in Malta. A complementary exhibition runs at Spazju Kreattiv between December 17 and January 22.

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