RAD OR WHAT? I would never expect myself to be so head over heels in love with an illustration that has neither eyes nor mouth, but here I am, extremely obsessed over Australian illustrator Aaron Favaloro‘s lovely works.
Using fashion as his focal point, he draws key inspirations from runway trends at times, and reinterpret them with his own vision and take, mostly with a storytelling concept, just like the Kenzo number (above).
At other times, he looks to his favourite models, actresses, singers, music bands, and even fashion muses for inspiration. For example the great Kaiser Karl Lagerfeld, singer Rihanna aka. Riri and one of our favourite blogger, the off-the-beat Susie Bubble of Style Bubble.
One thing I know for sure though, is that there is something oddly attractive about how quirky his style is. Perhaps it has something to do with how the absence of facial features actually brings out the innate emotions and perspective of the beholder, which somehow leads to a more intimate sense of familiarity. And maybe, it is partly because life is too short to be so serious. So why not have fun while you’re at anything, right?
Either way, the uniqueness of his illustrations is simply standalone! And we managed to speak to the ever-spontaneous Aaron on that!
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J: To tell you the truth, we are very obsessed with your illustrations – the way you depict them to be so stylized and quirky, even though they are mouth-less and sometimes even, faceless. Why did you choose to draw in that manner?
Aaron: Ahah Awesome loved the obsessed, thank you very much.
So the idea came from a little illustration I did for my brothers anniversary I was running super late as usual and still hadn’t got them a card, so I quickly did something that was quick, hence the no face and it just grew from that little card!
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J: That is pretty sweet how it all started! Before we go further, could you tell us about yourself?
Aaron: I was raised and still live on the northern beaches Sydney Australia, Love it!! Could not live without water near me.
I have always been keen to work in fashion, when I left school I went to East Sydney fashion college where I had a dream of being the next big fashion designer, yet I got a job with David Jones and dropped out.
I worked with David Jones for nearly 8 years, most of that as a Visual Merchandising manager which I love. I was able to create and represent a retailer that had some of the best Fashion Australia has to offer, and was given a lot of creative freedom.
Yet I needed a change and was about to get back into Visual Merchandising with another company when this drawing took off and I haven’t looked back. Drawing, doodling, illustrating is something I have always done and will always do and have to pinch myself that I can now make a living out of this, and meet all these talented people. It was crazy!
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J: What made you so passionate about fashion illustration in the first place?
Aaron: Not sure, I have just always enjoyed it. Maybe it was because I was so useless at sports… haha.
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J: I see. In that case, how would you best define your illustration style?
Aaron: Nicole from Gary pepper said to me its kind of Anime and I would agree with her, also I feel they have a cute fun feel whilst still staying fashion focused.
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J: What are some of the most used mediums in your work? Why do you choose to use them?
Aaron: I use copic markers, ink based and they are killing me, I swear I keep that business afloat with how many I buy aha. I use them because they blend well, you can layer the markers and the ink sits flat.
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J: Having chosen so many famous people as your illustration subjects, including Karl Lagerfeld, Rihanna, and even famed blogger Susie Bubble. Who is your ultimate favorite and why?
Aaron: I love Coco Rocha, when she liked a piece I did, I can confess to you I did choke a little, yet I think my favorites would have to be Roxy and Samantha Wills because both of these women have really helped me, by giving me those first legs up and are both so, so lovely and generous, will always be thankful to them.
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J: That is really so sweet. I can see that you have a pretty strong fan base on your instagram page, with many followers commending on your illustrations. What do you think about the role that social media plays in today’s arts community?
Aaron: I cannot believe I have been able to turn this into a living it still messes with my mind! Social media has allowed me to do this, and has put me in contact with some amazing people. I am just flawed that people enjoy my work, and am very humbled for all the awesome comments.
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J: Who are some of the artists that you look up to?
Aaron: A close friend Linda Joyce and also a fashion illustrator Meganhess, although both completely different they do their own thing and don’t look at what others are doing, they are authentic to their style, that is something I admire.
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J: If there is anyone whom you would like to collaborate or work with, who would it be?
Aaron: It would be a dream to work with Prada or Kenzo or Alexander McQueen! A fashion house of this size would be crazy!!
P.S. The mouthless style reminds me tad of Silent Hill, with really fun and quirky versions of it, no?
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Illustrations courtesy of Aaron Favaloro
Check out more of his awesome works on instagram at @aaronfavaloro
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