New Look

TOM FORD www.tomford.com

Illustrations By: Ada

Recreated watercolor works of skillfully artist that inspire Faith Mallory.

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Artist Stina Persson studied fine art in Perugia and fashion drawing in

Florence and has a degree in illustration from the Pratt Institute in New York.

Born in Sweden and currently living in Stockholm, and having lived and/or worked in Italy, New York and Tokyo, it truly feels that this worldly palette is part of what gives so much depth to her impressive creations. Stina employs different mediums, ranging from watercolor paints, inks and acrylic, to Mexican cut paper, photography and handwritten technique, to create original, vibrant, filled with emotion illustrations that strike the right balance between beautiful and edgy – captivating your eye with the craftsmanship promise of a traditional piece of art and the intriguing appeal of a modern one.

Stina’s clients include Louis Vuitton, DKNY, Nike, Target, Uniqlo, Bloomingdale’s, Penguin Books, Godiva Chocolatier, Sony Music, as well as publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Elle UK, Marie Claire, Madame Figaro and Vogue Nippon. It was her beautiful pieces that fascinated me at first and then it was her mention that she hoped to work exclusively by hand one day that definitely sealed my love for them. I am flattered that she accepted to give me an interview.

You use watercolor, ink, gouache, cut paper in your works. Is there a specific medium you prefer? Why? I really love black indian ink the most. I love the contrast it creates on the white sheet of paper.

You have a very original, identifiable illustration style. How did you develop your style? Has anyone in particular influenced it? Where do you draw inspiration from?

I don’t know how it works for other people, but my style is what comes easy to me. It’s not planned or calculated in any way. It is what comes naturally so to speak. I sometimes wish I had another style, but I cannot really change it too much. I do try pushing my boundaries with materials or scales, but artwork is a bunch of choices that you make throughout the process and I can only make the choices that I see fit.

I get inspiration from old movies, where often every frame is a piece of art in itself, nature and all its organic shapes, vintage books, magazines and fabrics I find in flea markets, as well as original pieces of art, where you see traces of the human hand and error.

You have lived and worked in different parts of the world. Has your multicultural background left a mark on your illustrations?

I think it’s impossible to live in a new country without getting influenced.

Everything from looking at the different packaging in the groceries stores to the different way people look is hugely inspiring. Out of all the places I lived, New York has to be the most inspiring.

Is there such a thing as a favourite project you have worked on so far?

I usually have many things going on at the same time and they merge into one another. There are definitely better periods and times that are less fun. Lately I have had a lot of fun projects, but none that I can yet -3-

disclose as they aren’t out in the market yet.

I particularly like your works of women subjects. Besides being expressively beautiful, do I sense a melancholy, a pensive mood in them? How would you describe them?

I would describe them as someone I’d like to meet and hopefully like. Someone

not too perfect and with integrity.

The melancholy is maybe similar to the one found music. It just feels good and honest with sad or serious rather smirky happy.

Your Perfectly Flawed exhibition in New York,

in sad quite something than

S

featuring handmade, digitally unaltered works, was a response to this age of overly digitalized, retouched, photoshopped images we are fed to or choose to surround ourselves with daily.

Can illustration be an answer to a change of perspective, especially in relation with fashion photography? How big a part does hand-work and digital, respectively, play in your drawings?

I try to work as much as I can on paper.

Once something works on paper I scan it and, if necessary, fix or add something digitally. One day I hope to not work digitally at all. I am not sure I will ever get there, but it’s a goal. We have enough perfect already.

How much does fashion influence your work?

Not so much the actual garments, but the colours, prints and shapes inspire me tremendously. But I can get equally inspired by something from the 50’s or 2012 as what seen on the catwalk right now. Even though it always is intriguing to see what they come up with every new season.

Do you have a favourite designer?

I think Miuccia Prada always has an aesthetics that appeals to me. I like her looks, even though I would never buy a piece myself.

Tell me about your personal style. What does style mean to you? Anyone you have always looked up to? How do beauty and style make the world a better place?

I believe in trying one’s best. And if we all try to make our surroundings pleasant and inviting, that must be better then not doing so.

Style to me is how you carry yourself, your posture, your choice of colours and pattern when it comes to clothes, and, most of all, the overall look.

As I live in a country with six months of winter, am a mother of three young boys, as well as an illustrator that works in a messy, drippy way, I wear a lot of jeans with second hand tops and blouses and boots.

I am a big movie lover and I would like to ask you if you happen to share an interest in cinema (I love your Chinatown illustration). Any all time favourites?

I love older movies like North by Northwest, 39 steps, Una Giornata Particolare (with Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni), as well as some newer such as In the Mood for Love and Timbuktu.

Your favourite moment of the day.

My two morning coffees. The first at home with the family which is beautiful, but chaotic, the second one at work

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while starting my first drawings. It does happen that I dip my paintbrush into the coffee a bit too often for it to actually be a great idea.

Original by Stina Persson Copy By Faith -5-

Dior -6-

Fawning This is an introduction to Faith Mallory and her brand. She is a graduate from SCAD and is bursting on the fashion scene.

Faith

: Menike Haines

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From

with her entire back out to the rear of her, and of course black slacks that could never cover her Steve Madden’s. The hotel door shuts with a reassuringly expensive “whump”, leaving the fashion statement standing alone, silent and in silence.

When she is seated, I then began to ask the questions I have prepared for her.

graduating high school in Albany, Georgia to being a student at Savannah’s College of Art and Design to being a bona fide aspiring fashion designer Faith Mallory is so determined and ambitious that every student from her high school in her hometown that is interested in pursuing fashion while attending college take notice of her.

And this year, Ms. Mallory has gone from being a newbie to a supernova veteran when it comes to fashion. SCAD’s finest? The competition didn’t stand a chance...

SCAD’s finest walks into the Intercontinental Buckhead Atlanta and you instantly hear the click clack on the hotel floor from her creamy tannish Steve Madden heels that she loves to sport. Her entrance - from the cooled silver car to sidewalk, to the air-conditioned antechamber of the lobby the look was a white button down shirt that you couldn’t tell she had tucked in

Menike Haines: What time did you wake up this morning?

Faith Mallory: “I didn’t get any sleep last night. I was working on a project that was very tedious, and when I work on projects I am very determined to create a masterpiece that will leave me astonished.”

MH:What do you usually have for breakfast?

FM: “I really enjoy eggs, but an over easy egg to be exact.

When you fry the egg on both sides but the yolk stays runny.

Magnificent! Fruit is always wonderful in the morning, and -8-

sometimes I may just have a craving for left-overs from the previous night.”

MH:How long have you been into fashion?

FM: “Wow! Great question because this particular question always hunted me.

When did I get into fashion? What made me get into fashion? I would say I got intrigued by fashion at a young age. I always got myself into trouble for dress code, but it was nothing more than me just trying to express myself. I did art in middle school, and that is where engaged in expressing myself. By the time the time I was in high school I was fullfledged and that is when I stumbled upon SCAD.”

eye. If I just had to choose a flower it would be a Hydrangea. I really enjoy those!”

MH:What is your favorite season?

FM: “That is something I have been contemplating about lately. I like the fall because you can layer and I am just starting to like layering because for a while I didn’t layer my clothing at all. I am the ultimate summer girl. Summer is my first love, but I am starting to accept fall.

recent movie I enjoyed was called “The Martian” which was a survival type of movie. I recommend everyone to go see it.”

MH:What is your favorite song?

FM: “I would have to say it’s anything that is released by The Weeknd and Miguel.”

MH:Leather or Lace?

FM: “Both.”

MH:Vintage or New? FM: “New.” MH:Velvet or Fur? FM: “Fur.” MH:Polka Dot or Stripe?

FM: “Both.”

“If I just MH:What are you reading right now?

“What do you think I’m reading had to choose a FM: right now hunny? I’m reading the flower it would be a autobiography of Christian Dior.”

The conversation with perhaps the Hydrangea. I really most determined, yet fashionable, girl of modern times is over. Faith Mallory gather all her belongings, walks past the enjoy those”

MH:Who is your favorite designer?

FM: “My favorite designer?

Interesting, because I have a couple.

Christian Dior ,while Raf Simons was the creative director. I am so sad that Raf is leaving because I think he did great things for Christian Dior. I also love Giambattista Valli his usage of flowers are amazing, and that’s probably why I love Christian Dior also because they are both inspired by flowers.”

MH:What clothing you have had for the longest?

FM: “I have this light-weight jacket from H&M. It is black, white, and gray which mean it is very versatile. I have been able to wear my H&M jacket since 9th grade, and I am a senior in college now.

To this day I still receive phenomenal compliments!”

MH:What is your favorite flower?

FM: “I really don’t have a favorite flower, but however I really love to look at them because they can be so beautiful to the

MH:How do you feel about SCAD? FM: “I think SCAD is a great stepping stone into the fashion industry. SCAD gives you great avenues, but you must be willing to meet them half way. You must want the opportunity they offer because if not then you are wasting time. I’m also excited about leaving SCAD with my degree.”

MH: What is your favorite movie?

FM: “I love action movies. The most -9-

talking heads still scattered about the lobby, calling dealers, wives, girlfriends and Uber drivers. She opens the door and out she walks, head up, bathed in the warm, still so ambitious.

D Faith Mallory

As a designer inspiration is important.

Its like the process of infant coming to life or a first kiss from your lover. I have always enjoyed life , through the up and downs, my experiences encourage me to be free and to create. I wish to share my inspirations with you .

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Bloom -11-

As an designer the process starts with inspirations . My inspiration for the project was Bloom. Mostly the blooming of a flower.

You begin with draping , which is molding fabric to the form to create whatever look that is pleasing to the designers eye.

Draping is then switch to paper to True it , which makes sure lines , seams and notches are made to make this garment fit equally on both sides. Once trued , we can began to cut pattern out with prototype fabric or muslin . If fit is perfect time to get original fabric and sew. I used silk chiffon and voile for my garment. The silk chiffon was hand dyed an pink salmon color.

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Photographed by Katie Walker Designer: Dionne

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