Gerardo Larrea - illustrations with a touch of sarcasm

Gerardo Larrea is one of the fashion illustrators that I have had on my radar since last year. His illustration style is very whimsical and fun, yet I love how, at the same time, he can illustrate all the details of the outfits. Today let me introduce you to Gerardo Larrea as my first 2012 featured illustrator.

Hello Gerardo, it’s great to have you as my first featured artist on Swide this year. So, how did you get into the fashion illustration industry? Is fashion illustration something you wanted to do since you were a child?

I’ve always like to draw and, since 2000, I started to illustrate characters. They were not related to fashion but more like lifestyle illustrations. Since I was a child, I liked to draw and paint, took many art courses and I loved to accompany my school homework with drawings, too. I knew I wanted to do something with art but did not know, then, that fashion would be part of my life. Last year a friend asked me to illustrate fall winter 2011 collections for his blog and I found the project very interesting. I began to illustrate and present the runway looks. I realized that was doingexactly what I wanted to do, and ever since that project, I am constantly working on new fashion illustrations. I started a blog on my own and now I divide my time between being fashion stylist and fashion illustrator.

Dolce&Gabbana, Gerardo Larrea exclusive for Swide

I didn't know you only started this last year because your works are great and seem very accomplished! Now let me ask you, how do you describe your illustration style? What element do you think you have that sets you apart from the other illustrators?

My style is very graphic, thick liner and I love using color. Besides that, my characters have a touch of sarcasm in their expressions and attitudes, I think that's the main difference. I try to present the essence of each designer through my characters and as much detail as possible, with a fresh and fun style.

Gerardo Larrea exclusive for Swide

Yes, I do think your illustration style is very fun and fresh. I especially like how you illustrate the models’ faces. I know that other than being a fashion illustrator, you are also a fashion stylist, an art director and a fashion editor. Do these jobs help you to gain a different perspective on fashion illustration? If so, what is it?

Yes, definitely. Working in fashion has influenced me a lot with the kind of illustration I do. When I start an illustration, the way I deal with it is like a photo, the position and attitude of the characters is like shooting an editorial. In addition to that I love to focus on the prints, textures and details of the clothes and accessories. I have spent almost 10 years working as a stylist and now it is part of my life and I think my illustrations reflect me and my world in some way.

Gerardo Larrea exclusive for Swide

I love the details of the illustrations and I am really attracted to your illustration world! So, out of all the illustration works you have done so far, which piece is the most challenging? Why?

I try to push myself and improve in every illustration I do and I like to pick looks that represent a challenge for me. One of the most complicated I've done was the Prada Spring Summer 2011. I loved the collection and wanted to present several looks in one piece. I found looks that were full of color and textures and they were super interesting to illustrate, if not complicated. Also a few months ago I did an overview of the Fashion Weeks of New York, Paris and Milan Spring Summer 2012 and the challenge was posting one illustration each day, It was a fun experience editing the collections to represent each designer, and although there were days that I was against time, eventually I managed to create 29 looks.

Gerardo Larrea exclusive for Swide

What do you think of the Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2012 collection? Is there a particular piece you want to illustrate for your fashion illustration portfolio?

I loved the whole collection, fabrics, textures and silhouettes. The gold embroidery was incredible!!!!! It’s a complete collection with great style and we can also see a lot of luxe accents in all the pieces for this season. I think it’s exquisite and at the same time totally wearable. I just finished an illustration inspired by Dolce & Gabbana F/W2012, I chose 4 looks that I love to illustrate and it was a bit difficult to develop the graphic textures of fabrics and embroidery, but I love the result and is now one of my favorites.