Meet the Founder feat. Charlotte Jorst of Kastel
An interview with the international dressage rider and Founder of sun protective active wear brand, Kastel
21st & 18th is a weekly Newsletter written by Lauren Lynch Wemple (@lolynchwemple). We discuss art, history and fashion as well as feature interviews with curators, art dealers, experts and voices in fashion. Subscribe to 21st & 18th for free at the button below.
LLW will often produce visual time travel content to accompany our articles, if you are into that sort of thing follow 21st & 18th (@21stand18th) on Instagram.
This interview is a good one - though aren’t all of our Meet the Founder interviews good?Â
This new segment has been life giving as recently I’ve found it difficult to carve out time to write and research for the 21st & 18th Newsletter - perhaps this has been the case because I’m also in the midst of preparing to launch a new brand (@jgraybrand) while also running a media production agency with a whopping team of one (@18cagency).Â
What Meet the Founder has done for me is force me to remember, like the shock of a 44 degree cold plunge, that if you want something, a certain life, particular job, to jet to Vienna with a one way ticket, get fit or live in a beautiful and clean space, even to fall in love - it’s all on you, baby. It doesn’t matter what your goal is, little or big, if you want it you make it happen. I felt this keenly when sitting down with Kastel Denmark Founder and international dressage rider for the USA1, Charlotte Jorst, who, prior to founding Kastel, managed and later sold her family run business, Skagen2, a Danish time piece and accessories concept.
Kastel is an entirely female run concept committed to crafting athletic wear that protects you from the impact of the sun (we’re talking UPF 30 and 50) while doing what you love outdoors. Kastel pieces are recognizable by their bright, energetic prints and chic silhouettes which are flattering whether you are in the saddle or on the golf course. Personally, I live in Kastel puffer vests 75% of the year, when riding or not, and their long sleeve feather light quarter zips are the best in the game.
Read on to learn more about why Charlotte started Kastel, how she balances running a high growth business while competing at the highest level of dressage and, of course, what she’s currently obsessed with.
As always, I hope you’ll enjoy our chat and feel welcome to write to me at lauren@21stand18th.com to share your thoughts or make a case for a person, history topic or work of art you’d like us to write an article about.
LLW: Charlotte, for our Readers, would you introduce yourself?
CJ: I'm Charlotte Jorst. I'm most known for riding Nintendo and competing internationally in Dressage for 10 years with him.Â
LLW: How did Kastel come to be? When and why did you start the brand?
CJ: I had just sold my previous company in 2012 and was determined to start riding. Since I was no longer in the office I rode outside in the sun. 6 months in I was diagnosed with skin cancer and was told to stay inside. There was no way I was staying inside after 25 years in an office so I decided to start a UV protection clothing brand.
In 2014 Kastel became a reality.
LLW: Would you share more about your horseback riding career? How long have you been riding Dressage?
CJ: Having started to really ride at the tender age of 49 has been remarkable. I have loved this journey so much and it has brought me an incredible amount of joy to see how far I can take this. I've been competing all over the world with people I had only read about. Now they are warming up with me and I'm trying to beat them. It's amazing.
LLW: What does a normal day, during competition season, look like for you?
CJ: During competition season my days are insanely busy. Fortunately I have such a great team helping me out so I rely a lot on them to help. I get on the first horse at 8 ride for 4-5 hours, edit video, have a barn meeting or perhaps a video shoot. Zenon, my head groom, helps me get through the day.
LLW: How do you balance your Dressage career and running Kastel?
CJ: At 2 I'm home to check emails, I usually go for a swim, do yoga or work out around 5. In the evenings I often work with my right hand Doreen or go out for dinner. When I compete which I do almost every weekend my day revolves around my ride times, the jog and the general show.Â
I work all the time.... 7 days a week.
LLW: What advice would you give a fellow founder when they are: 1) just starting out and 2) feeling frustrated and considering quitting?Â
CJ: Just start, starting is the hardest. Quitting is very tempting because it never stops. I usually just put one foot in front of the other and power trough. It's very difficult to do.
LLW: Where can our Readers shop Kastel clothing and accessories? Do you have a favorite piece of clothing in your collection?
CJ: Kastel can be shopped at Kasteldenmark.com.
The Kastel team has also let me know that you can shop their products in-person at horse shows this season. To keep in the know of new products and shoppping activations, follow Kastel on Instagram (@kasteldenmark)
LLW: Where do you go (or what do you do), outside of Kastel, to find inspiration and refuel?
CJ: Outside of Kastel I love hanging out with my 2 wonderful daughters and my 2 wonderful grandchildren. They are my favorite people. I'm so lucky to have them.
LLW: What are you currently obsessed with?Â
CJ: I'm obsessing about the horses and getting Kastel to grow. I'm always obsessing about personal development and evolving as a person. I think it is so fun.
Impressive, right?Â
Charlotte’s story inspires me because, first, she pursued what she wanted not allowing age, timing or illness set her off course.
Next, one must respect another person who has truly committed their time and energy to mastering their craft. I also cannot stop considering the numbers: there are about 3,000 international dressage riders, with over 200k registered dressage competitors, in the world and even less that have the chops to compete at Charlotte’s level, and she only started riding seriously at 49 years old.
Charlotte, we salute you and appreciate your drive and commitment. It’s a reminder of what people can achieve by remaining steadfast in their goals.
Thank you to Charlotte and her team at Kastel, particularly the brand’s President Emily Oatis, for their time and support making this feature a reality. 21st & 18th will return later this week with a new Art Apéritifs interview.
p.s. If you’re interested in learning more about Charlotte’s equine counterparts follow her (@charlottejorst) and Kastel Denmark (@kasteldenmark) on Instagram.