In the Drawing Room with Dallas Shaw
Tap It!
By Casey Kettleson
in Culture Features
on August 27, 2010
What happens when a talented artist also happens to be an avid fashion fan? We sat down with Dallas Shaw and found out...
A self-professed fashionista, illustrator Dallas Shaw’s work is thoroughly fashion inspired and infused with her own feminine and flirtatious sense of style. Her artwork is diverse in its medium and runs the gamut from modern canvas paintings to trend-setting fashion illustrations, the sweetest note cards, and more.
We first came across Dallas on twitter and fell in love with her blog and gorgeous illustrations. See below for our interview with one of fashion's newest gems...
StyledOn: We love your work - your drawings are fantastic and we're dying for your paintings. How did you first get into art?
Dallas Shaw: I went to school for illustrations, took art classes when I was very young – it's actually all I have ever known.
SO: What are some of your favorite subjects and materials to work with?
DS: I like a mix of watercolor and prismacolor pencils if I am working on fashion illustrations. But if I am working on a canvas I like to use acrylic with a pop of oil. I guess I like to mix things up!
SO: You're a fashionista to the core... What are your top three must-have items for the fall?
DS: Oh good question. I think a cute cape coat is a nice transition piece for the fall. Every year I buy a new pair of boots in the fall and this year I am going with two: very short and very high. I also try to pick up a pair of great flats for fall (perfect to wear between sandal and boot seasons). I usually try to find something unique so I'll be happy wearing them – maybe sequins this year.
SO: How did you begin working with DKNY and what projects have you done together?
DS: I contact a lot of companies. If you want to be self employed and be successful you need to have good relationships with many companies, so I have developed relationships with many people in fashion over the years and it stemmed into a great collaboration. Right now we work together on the DKNY PR girl project, and just began to work together on a project for fashion week.
SO: Have you worked with any other fashion companies? Which ones?
DS: American Eagle, Nine West, Dace, Journelle, Purseblog, Botkier, Bagsnob, French Connection beginning next month...
SO: Are there any designers that you'd love to work with?
DS: Too many to list?! Designers inspire me.
SO: Who are some of your favorite artists?
DS: I like artists like Stina Persson and Kat Macleod.
SO: Favorite blogs and/or websites?
DS: I check in with a lot of blogs, but coco + kelley and this is glamorous are most "me."
SO: And finally, what's next for you? Any exciting upcoming projects?
DS: Well I'll be doing style picks for French Connection this year, and working on a bunch of new projects all in design (many that I can't discuss until the launch date!) so just check in on the blog and twitter. Also, anyone can buy commissioned fashion illustrations with likenesses, or the canvases by emailing me – I don't just work with designers. :)
Dallas Shaw's work is also available at her Etsy store here.
And now it's your turn: Who are some of your favorite artists?
All work shown above © 2010 Dallas Shaw.