Marcus Kan from 'à la mode' poses some questions to Spiros Halaris.

M: Hello Spiros, I am glad you can take some time out from your busy schedule to answer some of my questions. So, what made you want to become an illustrator? Did you have any formal training in this field?

S: I think it was illustrating itself that attracted me into this field. It was when I discovered that I could actually apply my sketches and doodles in many ways other than only in my sketchbook. The ability to create artworks that can be applied to many mediums, from a t-shirt to a billboard, was one of the many reasons why I wanted to become an illustrator. 
I think my training was obtained through countless hours of intensive drawing and experimenting. I am a Graphic Design graduate and I am now doing a BA (Hons) in Fashion Illustration but nothing will get you further or teach you more than your own self-experimentation. M: I have to agree, you can learn a lot when you keep practicing your skill on you own. Well, if you need to use 3 adjectives to describe your drawing style, what words will you choose?  

S: Bipolar as I am always inspired by the result of two different entities combined together; surreal as I get easily bored with anything that resembles reality; eccentric as I always want my work to stand out from the crowd of images around us. M: Your works are definitely eccentric as they look unique to me. I know artists usually have a particular set of tools to help them to work, so what are your weapons of choice? 

S: That is true, everybody has a secret weapon. Mine would be my drawing tablet, my magazines and my music. A good soundtrack while working away always leads to better results.

M: Music is something I can never live without because songs inspire me to work on creative ideas! Now let’s get back to fashion, so which Dolce & Gabbana collection is your favorite throughout their 20 years in the business? Why? 

S: I think I would have to name one of the latest ones, the women's collection for Fall 2009. I fell in love with this collection for its dramatic and vintage opera aura. It was a trip to the past but with such a fresh and iconic touch.

M: That collection has been printed in my mind ever since I saw the photos online, nice choice! Last but not least, what do you think of the new F/W 2011/ collection of Dolce & Gabbana and D&G? Do you have specific looks you want to illustrate? 

S: I loved the Dolce & Gabbana one because it had some exquisite tailoring and I liked the vibrant reds suits. But my favourite one will have to be the D&G, in particular the pop art prints and the pastel colours. I couldn't resist them and so I chose to illustrate 2 looks (Coca Cola and Disney prints) exclusively for Swide and D&G. I hope you and the readers on Swide will like them.  

With special thanks to Marcus Kan from 'à la mode' 

Pictures credit: Spiros Halaris

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 You can find another article by Marcus Kan, here.