Colors, energy, passion, smiles and creativity. All these words (and many others) represents who is Talia Zoref for all of us. We met her during the madness of the last Fashion Week in Milan. She was sketching models and looks during the runway backstage of MSGM. We were immediately charmed by her way of drawing and coloring her art. Talia Zoref ‘s illustrations are unique: the colors are so vivid, the lines seem to be always in the right place and, once her energetic personality is all committed to one blank page, you can see the recreation of the craziness of Fashion, and it always comes out even more beautiful than you would expect.
Born in Toronto and based in Tel Aviv, Talia Zoref travels the world drawing her passion. Here our interview with the always surprising Illustrator Talia: projects, dreams…and her own revolution!
________________
Talia, you are a true force of nature. But where did all start? Have you ever had the passion for illustration?
________________
I believe I always had the passion for illustration, I cannot imagine my life without it. Since I was a little girl, I remember myself drawing. Though, I always thought I wanted to be a Fashion Designer. It all changed when I finished my first semester in college and understood I am truly passionate about the illustration itself.
________________
You mostly do fashion illustration. What are the subjects you like the most drawing?
________________
My favorite to draw is definitely new runway looks. Although, I love drawing all the subjects in fashion 🙂
________________
You draw sketches during fashion week and runway. What type of dresses attire your attention the most on the runway? And what icons you prefer to sketch for the street style?
________________
I usually really enjoy drawing colorful looks. In the last season, my favorite looks to draw were from the collections of Gucci, Versace and Margiela.
It is really fun to draw Anna Wintour since she is like a fashion cartoon in a way. I see her as a symbol of fashion so her drawings always look wonderful.
________________
How would you describe your personal fashion style and how do you think it can influence your illustrations?
________________
Both in my style and my illustrations, I love using strong solid colors. A lot of times my personal style affects my illustrations when I truly love certain fashion items and have to illustrate them.
________________
What is the thing you like the most drawing?
________________
It is really hard to tell. Drawing takes such a huge part in my life I feel it is just a part of me. Although, What I love about drawing is the randomness and the free creation process itself. I love to create art.
________________
On almost all your project you are very bonded also with the beauty field. What is your signature style in makeup? And what are your beauty essentials?
________________
I wouldn’t say I have a certain signature style when drawing beauty. It usually really depends on the customer’s needs and the types of projects I illustrate. What I can say is that usually I emphasize the colors of the eyes, lashes, lips, hair and cheekbones when I draw beauty. I aim to add some emotion in the illustrations I make and also really love drawing crazy big eyelashes.
________________
You are also a journalist: do you think that illustration can “talk” by themselves or you believe also in the power of words?
________________
I believe an illustration is successful when it can speak for itself. Although, when you add the right words carefully in order to capture the moment and explain the meaning behind the artist’s intentions it can make the story even more interesting.
________________
You have done so many collaborations: ELLE Canada, Cosmopolitan Italy, Glamour Spain, Donatella Versace, Chloe, Missoni, Valentino, Moschino, Nina Ricci, MAC and Tommy Hilfiger, just to name a few. Is there a collaboration that you enjoyed and loved in particular?
________________
I am really having fun during my latest collaboration with Chanel. I got a free hand to illustrate whatever I want in order to promote their new Rouge Coco Gloss on my Social Media page and blog. I’m also promoting the launch of their new perfume and I am very excited about it.
________________
You meet a lot of people during fashion weeks and fashion events. But what is the fashion icon you would love to illustrate from live?
________________
I would love to illustrate Iris Van Harpen and Karl Lagerfeld live. They are two fashion icons with an amazing amount of wisdom of decades.
________________
Do you have an illustration that you are really bonded with?
________________
I really like my recent illustration of Kendal Jenner from the Versace show. I feel it represents me as an artist. It is original, colorful, and dynamic.
________________
Describe yourself and your journey in the world of illustration with three of your illustrations.
________________
The first illustrations would be from my notebook from high school- It is full of doodles and old clothing illustrations I mad. It represents the first sparks and dreams I had for fashion and illustration.
The second would be digital tablet illustrations. I sketched my first few fashion weeks with an Android tablet.
The last would be my digital illustration of ELIE SAAB which was used as the cover of my first Vogue Interview.
________________
What is your favorite Fashion Week of all: Paris, London, Milan, New York etc?
________________
I Love Paris and Milan!!! I have a strong connection to the cities and brands presenting during those fashion weeks.
________________
The most fun runway backstage you have ever been to?
________________
Missoni Backstage Fall Winter 2017. I sketched at least 20 models during this backstage, including Gigi Hadid. Also, I met my lovely new friends, models Mariana Zaragoza from Mexico and Emm Arruda from my birth city Toronto.
________________
Your illustrations seem romantic but at the same time you add always a little bit of playfulness and fun. Do you prefer to draw romantic or crazy looks?
________________
I prefer to draw crazy looks for sure!! I love freedom in my illustrations. I keep my illustrations a little more traditional mostly since it is more suitable for a variety of brands. Although, I always make sure to add my touch to the illustrations I make.
________________
What is one illustration you are very proud of?
________________
I am very proud of my illustration I made of Coco Chanel for a special article on Cosmopolitan Italy. I feel the random lines came out exactly in the right place and created a really cool illustration.
________________
You are a young beautiful women, do you have a source of inspiration in life and in the fashion field?
________________
My inspirations in the fashion field are Ashley Graham and Megan Hess, two independent and strong women who made a business out of their passion. Also, I personally think Ashley Graham is an amazing model who confronts us with relevant body image issues in the fashion industry.
________________
What is for you the most fascinating aspect about fashion?
________________
There are so many! But the one that amazes me most is the creation itself. Fashion designers are extremely talented artists in my eyes.
________________
What is your “dream come true” regarding your works?
________________
I am pretty ambitious when it comes to my work and my goals. I aim to innovate in the fashion illustration field, travel, and illustrate fashion around the world.
