Pieces of the Mosaïque: the colourful world of fashion artist Laura Gulshani 🎨
A conversation with my dear friend, the incredibly talented artist Laura, whose collaborations include prestigious brands like Guerlain and Tiffany & Co.
For the interview series "Pieces of the Mosaïque," I connect with inspiring, creative, and forward-thinking minds across fashion, design, arts, innovation, and strategy. Through these conversations, I introduce you to their ideas and visions—because it’s the stories behind people that make them so beautifully unique. Conversations that bring the mosaic to life.
First up is my inspiring friend and incredibly talented Canadian artist
from (go follow her!).
Our story began in 2017 when I discovered her stunning illustration for the Erdem x H&M collaboration on Instagram, through my work at H&M.
What started as an online connection over our shared love for fashion and jewellery and Latin designers like Johanna Ortiz and Mercedes Salazar evolved into a genuine friendship where we talk about anything really. Now whenever I'm in Paris, meeting Laura is always at the top of my list (next to the fashion exhibitions of courseas you can read here). .
This Prada-shoes illustration captured my heart early on and graces both my apartment walls and business card.
Last year our story came full circle, as we collaborated on something truly special, Laura illustrated my Christmas card to my business contacts; A beautiful illustration featuring my god-dog (Yes, it’s a thing), a charming flower shop, and a playful interpretation of a Johanna Ortiz dress.
But no more gatekeeping, now it’s time you get to know this wonderful person…..
You’re the first one in my ‘Pieces of the Mosaïque series”and I am super curious. Can you tell us more about your story. How did you become a fashion illustrator? And how did you end up in Paris……
Hello Mari, I'm so honoured to be your first interviewee! I never intended to make art my job nor end up living in Paris. It sort of happened gradually after university, when I was working as a copywriter but had some interest building in my artwork. I decided to quit my full-time job and focus on somehow making a career out of art. A year later I received an opportunity to work in Paris on a project, and I loved the environment so much that I decided to try to build myself up here. Five and a half years later, it's been a slow and very difficult advancement but in the process I've gotten to work on some wonderful projects, meet amazing people, become somewhat fluent in French, travel, expand my art knowledge...the experience has been invaluable.
I am always amazed with the really cool brands you work with, and I am curious what has been your most exciting collaborations so far? (Apart from ours, of course ;)). Can you share with us…
Our collaboration is first on the list! Every project has been special to me in every way, and allowed me to grow as an artist. I really can't name one or a few specifically, but I'll never forget my first projects through my journalism internships in Toronto, thanks to the teams who saw some sort of artistic potential in me and specifically created opportunities for me to get published. The projects I enjoy the most are when there is a back-and-forth between myself and the client, a true partnership. I've been really lucky, especially that most of my collaborations have allowed me to maintain my style and the client really embraces it.
Collaboration with Guerlain
When it comes to fashion, do you have any item in your closet that you covet the most? Or is it too hard to just have one?
I have gone through eras when I would collect certain items, only the most special versions of these items I would I find in stores - in high school I went through a dress phase, a coat phase, after university I went through a shoe phase, but moving to Paris has forced me to be very mindful of my consumption of things I don't need (due to budgetary and space constraints). Which I'm really happy about, it feels really freeing not to be attached to material things. I do really cherish special handmade or artisanal items I've received from my Middle Eastern and Colombian families, like hand crocheted table runners and leather bags, so God forbid if there was a fire I'd try to save those. But in general the idea of coveting for me had changed - it's now more so that I'll covet photos of beaded Fendi baguettes for example which I'll save in my “to paint” folder rather than actually trying to purchase these items.
How does your inspiration process work? What sparks your creativity?
I am a very observant person, I am sensitive to my surroundings so I can be inspired by anything I see when walking down the street or something from the runway or when sitting at a coffee shop. I take photos of everything and write my inspirations down in a book on a “to-do” list for when the moment is right. Sometimes it will be right away, sometimes painting that subject will happen in months or years when the idea has fully formed in my head.
Is there any music you love listening to when creating? What artist is on your creative playlist?
I still feel a lot of anxiety to make good use of my time and produce something that I like, so to calm the creative process for me, I usually listen to comedy stand-ups to remind me that it's not that serious, or I listen to soft calming music, like something by Bill Callahan or classical piano or I'll even just look for a calming playlist on Spotify!
As I know you enjoy travel, I am curious if you could design a fashion print inspired by any place in the world? What place would that be? And for which designer?
I love the south of France, I am endlessly inspired by the Mediterranean landscape, the plants, the sun, the colours, the fashion, the culture…even though I am Canadian, I am a summer girl through and through. I am actually in the process of working on a print project inspired by the South for myself, but if it were for a designer, I have no idea…whoever would want it!
Summer with the boys on the calanque in Marseille
Do you have any future dream project or dream client? Now it’s your time to shout it into the universe (manifest!)…
*Screams* MARNI! I would do anything for Marni. I connect to its artistic chaos and black sheep outsiderness.
And as this is a mosaïque of different ideas and stories, now is your time to give a platform to someone else! Which designer or artist (known or unknown) makes your artistic heart beat faster right now, and why?
Right now Schiaparelli is on my mind after their recent couture collection, which in my opinion is the best the house has ever created under Daniel Roseberry. I am obsessed with the creative redirection of Swarovski under Giovanna, her and her team and geniuses. They've done a great job in my opinion of making fashion jewellery look so luxurious and modern. And I love Conner Ives’ concepts of reconstitution, immediately thinking of his iPod headphones dress…magical.
And last but not least. Shameless promotion time - where can people reach out to work with? And where can people find and buy your work?
My least favourite part! You can contact me on Instagram for everything at @lauragulshani :) Thanks, Mari💓
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