IZAK
IZAK ZENOU ILLUSTRATION
IZAK ZENOU Over the last two decades, Izak Zenou has forged a reputation as one of the globes most prolific fashion illustrators. His love of women, fashion and style icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Ines de la Fressange inspire his whimsical imagery. Izak’s effortless, visionary style conveys a breezy and fresh, yet elegant and enchanting view of every day life. Whether his distinctive characters are meeting for cocktails with girlfriends, taking a stroll through the park or shopping with their puppies in tow, each vignette boasts Izak’s optimistic and confident vision of the world. Izak has lent his optimistic, colorful and fresh fashion authority to a diverse range of advertising, promotional and editorial clients across the globe. With every flawless stroke of his brush, he captures the essence of each brand as he infuses it with the very essence of his own positive spirit. Some of these illustrious clients include, Sephora, who created an capsule collection of IZAK branded cosmetics bags and accessories; Celine, whom Izak worked closely with to produce a series scarves; Guerlain, who created a limited edition Valentine’s fragrance with him, and perhaps most notably, after 18 years of collaboration, Izak continues to dazzle shoppers as the face of Henri Bendel, New York’s premier source for cutting edge style. In 2009, Michelle Edelman, founder of Traffic worked together with him to create the IZAK brand, which now has a international presence in the paper products, handbags and accessories, high end tech products and more. Clients also include Bally, Berryl Shoes, Biotherm, Brogen Tennyson, Bulfinch Press, Catherine Malandrino, Chanel, Coty, Crimson Books, Harlequin Books, John Lobb, Laura Mercier, Lancome, Lilly Pulitzer, L’Oreal, Monoprix, Matrix, Nordstrom, Naf Naf, Neiman Marcus, Printemps Ginza, Printemps France, Revlon, Rizzoli, Scholastic, Sephora, Target, The Limited, Virginia Slims, WE Channel, Woolite, Vera Wang and many more. Izak has also worked with many of the worlds leading fashion publications including, American Vogue, French Vogue, Vogue Spoza, Vogue Bambini, Australian Vogue, English Vogue, Vogue Nippon, German Vogue, Cosmo Girl, Elle, Essence, Self, Brides, Gotham, Marie Claire, InStyle, Fidget, Mme Figaro, New York Times Magazine, New Yorker, Town and Country, Wall Street Journal, Officiel, Ophrah, and Travel & Leisure.
Did you always want to be an artist? Yes, I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. Illustrating was a gift that I had from quite early on in my life. The first thing that I can remember drawing was a clown – I was about 7 years old and everyone in my family was so excited about it! Do you listen to music while you paint and if so, what music most sparks your creativity? Most of the time I love working with music. I find it very inspirational. How has your artwork changed or developed over the years? My work is so much freer because I don’t have a professional agenda anymore. I just go with the flow and allow my inspiration to guide me. I am constantly drawing for myself in between projects, which is a great way to keep the creative juices flowing and keep me inspired! While I’m creating a particular work, I need to be drawn in or seduced by the character that I am drawing. When I’m touched by the expression or an element within an illustration, I know that it is a successful piece. I feel like I have truly succeeded when the characters in my work come to life! The most rewarding thing about my artwork is when women tell me that they are truly touched by it. If I can make people feel good through illustration then I feel as though I have really achieved what I want in my work. How do you visualize your own work? It is really difficult for me to accurately describe my own work… But it is definitely spontaneous, and I believe it is also very honest. My work is true to who I am and how I see the world. It possesses a lot of instinct while embodying the whimsical – this is how I see the world! Describe your creative process. Typically, I draw on things that I’ve seen and experienced myself as the inspiration for my work. I occasionally do external research if I need to execute a subject that I am less familiar with, or something that is related to a very specific brief. If I am required to
do research I will use magazines and the Internet, but I also love to take pictures. Mostly, I observe the world around me and get inspired by all the beauty that I see. I prefer ideas to flow naturally from my head, it is much more organic and I feel less restricted this way. When I am inspired and working naturally my work is much more fluid and real. Describe your work environment/studio. My studio is a very peaceful environment, just the way that I like it! It is the polar opposite to the jungle that exists outside of my New York City window. The space is white, beautiful and free of clutter – the perfect area for me to create. What song would you chose as the soundtrack to your life? Anything by Pat Metheny! If you weren’t an illustrator, what alternate career path might you have taken? I would still be involved in the arts. I could definitely see myself as a musician! What is your greatest indulgence? My greatest indulgence is simply doing nothing. Being able to just live and enjoy everything whilst doing nothing is so important. What is your greatest influence? I grew up with 5 women in my household. Living with that number of women was certainly a huge influence on my work. I drew my sister Isabel frequently when I was younger, I guess you could say that she was the muse of my earlier work. I’ve also been very inspired by the artists Toulouse Lautrec and Rene Grau as well as icons like Audrey Hepburn and Ines de la Fressange. What are you currently working on? At the moment I am working on a series of patterns for the Izak brand. I just finished the fall 2014 for Lancome and finishing some work for the haircare company Matrix. What is the best project you ever worked on? I am so grateful for everything that I have been able to accomplish so far. However, my best project is always the next one. I would love to be able to create a film. I’d also really love to collaborate with other artists. What is your mantra in life? Every day is a new day and each new day gives you another chance to succeed.
Client: Henri Bendel 2013
Client: Henri Bendel 2012
Wall Street Journal 2012
SEPHORA 2012-2014
LANCOME 2009-2014
LANCOME 2009-2014
laura mercier new beauty
RUNAWAY RUNWAY 2012
HENRI BENDEL’S HAMPTON JITNEY S/S 2012
IZAK ZENOU REPRESENTED BY TRAFFIC 111 East 70th Street New York, NY 10021 1 212 734 0041 info@traffic-nyc.com Copyright Notice: This book and all of its contents/images is copyright of Penelope Roland © 2018. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited and punishable by law.
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