Roberto Cavalli hosted the show in a breath taking venue this season and I was more than pleased to attend this amazing event. check out my illustrations from the show.
INTERVIEW
Fashion Illustrator Shira Barzilay
By Talia Zoref
Starting her career in fashion at the age of seventeen, Shira
Barzily has already experienced almost every fashionista’s dream. Designing a
line for H&M, Roberto Cavali, and launching her own temporary tattoo line
Koketit, Shira is definitely on her way to becoming a known worldwide fashion
Illustrator. I had the pleasure to ask Shira a few questions and discover more
details about her amazing story.
What was your biggest accomplishment in the fashion illustration
industry? How did you get this opportunity?
I had the opportunity to work for Roberto Cavalli illustrating T
shirts for the 40th anniversary line of the brand. A previous teacher of
mine from fashion studies was able to get me this job. It was really
great. Keeping in touch with fashion contacts over the years is super
important- it keeps you in the awareness of things.
Which fashion illustrator inspires you most? Why?
I really love and appreciate Fifi Lapin, the fashionista rabbit. I
admire her sense of creating a strong palpable brand while maintaining her
artistic integrity. To me, this is the perfect marriage of art and
commerce and what I aspire to the most.
You have a temporary tattoo line, KOKETIT NOT FOREVER TATTOOS.
What is special about it? How did you come up with this great idea?
The idea came to me while setting up my nephews two year old
birthday party. At the time my mother bought children’s temporary tattoos and I
thought about how fun it would be to have temporary tattoos for adults as
well. At that moment everything I did in my life came together — I love
tattoos but never had the nerve to get one, I’m a fashion illustrator and can
design tattoos, and also my aesthetics are fun and not too serious. I felt
that sparkle and knew this was for me, so I went for it.
Ever since I started it’s been a wild ride. I’ve learned so much
already and continue learning every day of my life. I discover new things to
love such as photography, business, collaborating with friends, and more.
Creating my own brand and as the sole founder of my business
is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. It entails basically
everything. I am realizing my greatest fears and overcoming them all the
time. It is quite a feeling!
When, and how, did you decide to specialize in fashion
illustration?
I’ve always loved fashion illustrations. Since I was six years old
I was drawing fashion figures and loved fashion. There was never a doubt
in my mind that is where I belonged. When i was 17 I started fashion
design studies at Shenkar College and only after graduating did I realize my
true passion was in illustrating and visual arts rather than making actual
clothes. It felt very limiting to me and I wanted to break free from what
others, and myself, expected of me.
So after graduation I moved to Los Angeles for one year where I
realized illustrating fashion was my calling. Seeing all these amazing
artists, visiting fashion art galleries and meeting new people really
expanded my horizon. When I came back to Israel I had to figure out a
way to introduce this medium back into fashion. It wasn’t the easiest ride
but it sure was interesting. I was freelancing for a while with different
Israeli designers and clients, later becoming a graphic designer for a
fashion magazine. It seemed like a fun thing to do at the time while I built
my fashion illustration career. I love it and still work there
today.
What is your advice for new fashion illustrators in the
industry?
My advice would be to constantly push the boundaries of what is
considered new. The death of fashion illustration is conformism. You
should not abide by any rules because they limit creative thinking.
Fashion illustration is about imagining fashion and bringing it to life as
a subjective and artistic form. It’s supposed to say something about the beauty
of [life] from a unique perspective.
Your most common illustration character is Koketit. How did you
come up with her look and name?
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