meet lulu*

Image courtesy Bilderklub

I've been interested in following the recent new works by Berlin based artist LULU*. You may have seen LULU*'s recognizable fashion illustrations in a number of places; her work includes stints for Bloomingdale's and Mercedes Benz.



A look LULU* is known for; courtesy FRAU Magazine Japan


Even though LULU*'s work has been evolving in some new directions lately, it's easy to see how her mother's flower shop in Solingen, Germany, one of her earliest inspirations, still at times influences her work.



Image courtesy Riot Magazine Australia


Image courtesy Riot Magazine Australia


Known as one of Germany's emerging talents, LULU* graduated best in her class with a degree in design from the Cologne International School of Design. She has won numerous awards, including being named one of the leading 100 talents of Germany. I am very happy that LULU* has stopped by today, not only because I'm excited to show you some of her newest work, but because I always love getting a peek into artist's studios! Many thanks to cwc-i for making this interview possible.



Nadine Schemmann alias Lulu PlasticPirate für Maxi 4/07 Berlin 21.01.2007; image courtesy Michael Mann


mj: Can you talk a little about your newer work and how it evolved from what you were doing previously?

lulu*: I've been working for some years now and started with vector illustration. After I had my daughter, things changed, including my style. Maybe I got more self confident trying out new things. I still do the "older" artwork because this was noticed by many people over the past years and clients book me for this.



A glimpse of LULU*'s studio


I love to work with different materials and sometimes the computer is very limited. I also felt I needed to go a step further. The elements from the earlier artwork are still included in the new illustrations. I am inspired by old drawings, fine art from Kurt Schwitters and photography of the 20s. I have the feeling I am at the beginning again, but this is so much fun!



Image courtesy Saisonelle Magazine Switzerland


mj: What is your favorite project that you've designed so far?

lulu*: I usually love to work on all my little projects, it doesn't matter if it is commercial art or not. I loved working for Italian Vogue Pelle--this has been a great job so far. I also loved doing a spread for a year for Japanese Madame Figaro. This was exciting because I had the freedom to develop my illustrations next to photography--very exciting!!!



A slice of life from LULU*'s work space


mj: Do you have new projects that you're working on?

lulu*: I'm working with a well-known fashion photographer for tush magazine, and just finished a spread for Mercedes Benz magazine today. A project for Swarovski is starting right now.



Image courtesy groupexhibition LA FEMME at Gallery Nucleus



Image courtesy groupexhibition LA FEMME at Gallery Nucleus


mj: What would your ideal project be?

lulu*: I am working on some collage artworks, which are huge. This is my ideal project right now because I am not limited by a computer desktop size. (And to do more jobs with the newer style would be so nice).



Photo courtesy Roman Caesar

Here are A Few Things You Might Not Know About LULU*

A) THE FOUR MOST STYLISH PEOPLE THAT INFLUENCED ME:

1) Marianne, a lady who wore gloves while driving the car in my childhood
2) Andy Warhol
3) my mom when she was 25 (I was 7)
4)


B) FOUR WAYS THAT STYLE MAKES THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE:

1) fun to have millions of styles, that's what I love about big cities
2) style is soooo subjective
3) sometimes no style in the first moment gives a lot inspiration for something beautiful--which is maybe stylish then.


C) FOUR OF MY FAVORITE DESIGNERS:

1) Marc Jacobs
2) George Nelson
3) Charles and Ray Eames
4)


D) FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE:

1) waitress
2) selling cakes at a bakery
4) selling flowers in my parents flowershop
3) illustrator + designer


E) FOUR MOVIES I WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER (AND DO):

1) Blow Up
2) Jules et Jim
3) The Thomas Crown Affair (the original 1968)
4) David Lynch movies


F) FOUR PLACES WHERE I HAVE LIVED:

1) Berlin
2) Cologne
3) Basel (Switzerland)
3) San Francisco


G) FOUR TV SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH:

I rarely watch tv - but there are some:
1) Tatort (very german)
2) Sesame Street Vintage
3) Desperate Housewives


H) FOUR PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS:

1) Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo
2) New York
3) Stromboli
4) Naples/Capri


I) FOUR WEBSITES I VISIT DAILY (Or at least Weekly):

1) www.bilderklub.de
2) spiegel.de
3) youtube


J) FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:

1) when Mateo is cooking...French quiche
2) Japanese food
3) cheesecake
4) all Italian food


K) FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:

1) New York
2) Canada, seeing a close friend
3) London
4) Salina (Italy)

Thanks so much LULU* for stopping by! You can see more of LULU*'s work at cwc-i.com.