How important is to explore the inner inspiration of an Awarded Fashion Illustrator? Discovering today Mitja Bocun’s design skills and consider that Creativity always flourishes when we don’t think about obstacles.

From the moment I decided to create ThinkFeelDiscover Fashion Blog, in my eyes the most exciting part of the editing work is the moment that I explore the inner inspiration of talented people in the fashion industry. I always admire their work, I stop for a minute and I concentrate on their feelings, techniques and their way of self-expression.

Mitja Bokun is an awarded illustrator whose design skills of art, composition, typography, balance, and colour have been expressed in his personal, unique way. From 2009 that he started his career as an illustrator he has worked on a wide range of illustration projects as SHISEIDO, VIENNE WESTWOOD, and DIANE PERNET PARIS.

In 2016 he was awarded GRAND PRIX  – 2nd Silver Award – best Illustration Obzornik International, In 2016 Mitja Bokun was a candidate for best cover / Obzornik International and in 2015 for best cover / Pharmonia.

It was a challenge for me to learn about his background and discover the reason he became an illustrator.
Above all, I’ll agree with Mitja Bokun: Creativity flourishes when we don’t think about obstacles. Personally speaking, that’s the real beauty in art, as it enables our life in an absolute way.

    FASHION INTERVIEW 

Mitja Bokun

Awarded illustrator

Website:www.bokun.si

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: Mitja where were you born and how all started for you as an ILLUSTRATOR?

I was born in a small village in Slovenia, near one of the most iconic tourist towns in our country – Bled. I was drawing for all my life, but it took me until my 33 years of age to start a career as an illustrator.

 

♦Think-Feel-Discover: Which was the reason you become a Fashion Illustrator? Do you remember the day you draw your first fashion illustration? Would you describe a feeling?

Hmm, it’s kind of hard to say what is fashion illustration. But I remember I loved the painting of Klimt, Mucha and loved Rene Gruau’s illustrations. Always wanted to be like them. So one day I said – ok, let’s draw on Slovenian Fashion Week….and that’s all started. Feeling was…I could say: ”Yes, I made it”. But then the question was: “What’s next?”

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: Have you also studied art, or did you learn everything by yourself?

No, I studied machinery and computer science as also management and logistic. I never had any art education.

♦Think-Feel-Discover: What do you think being a Fashion Illustrator means and what can it bring to the world of design?

Me coming from the world of automotive and computer industry, fashion illustration is just design and visuals made for use in the fashion industry. That means it needs to bring added value to marketing or PR and helps (as a result) increase sale. Everything is done for money. Fashion illustration needs to bring to design additional component so it can go together with design as one – no matter where (editorial, shop windows, textile prints, …)

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What would you say are some characteristics of your work? How can someone tell if it’s a “Mitja Bokun’s” illustration?

Bokun’s style is ink splashes, realistic drawing, and some abstract line work all mixed together in one mess.

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: You’ve worked on a wide range of illustration projects, Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label show at London Fashion Week in 2013, Shiseido’s Ultimate Launch at China market and DIANE PERNET PARIS: THE PERFUME COLLECTION in 2014, Do you have any preferences as to what type of illustration you like to work on?

No, I usually work on projects that I think they are cool. I like to do new stuff. I enjoy doing that and I really love seeing people enjoying my art.

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: How do you acquire your inspiration as a fashion illustrator?

My inspiration is just a process. I usually see the final picture in my head but then through the process I just let it go and result comes again itself, most of the times even better.

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What qualities do fashion illustrations have that photographs or film Don’t?

I don’t think fashion illustrations sell qualities that fashion photography or feeling does not sell. I think it’s all the same. It’s all about how the viewer feels and what emotion does art trigger at the certain person. If the viewer feels something then the mission has been completed and artist’s job has been filled.

 

  

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: Could you tell us about your greatest experience as a Fashion Illustrator?

I think my greatest experience as fashion illustrator when I was backstage Illustrator at Vivienne Westwood show in London FW. It was something that I always wanted to try. Drawing live from one of biggest fashion weeks for one of the biggest designers. It was something that I will never forget.

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: Do you keep learning new things all the time, and how do these things actually inspire you?

I’m learning every day and I am learning from sketch to sketch and from illustration to the illustration. I’m always trying to improve my drawing skills as also just enjoying in process of working. My biggest inspiration is work no matter if I draw for a client or just for myself.

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What is the most challenging thing about being the Co-founder, Editor in Chief and Creative Director of RESERVED MAGAZINE for you?

I was part of Reserved magazine until 2017 and then I decided to just focus on my work. It was my biggest and most exciting experience. But I have to take that decision because the most difficult thing was distance and it was really hard to work from Europe.

 

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What do you enjoy most in your work?

I love to put creative ideas into an actual product, drawings, and projects. I love the creative process and I love to see the final result in everybody involved happy.

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What has been your greatest success?

It will come next year.

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What are your dreams, what type of projects/collaborations are you hoping to do, in the future?

I’m not sure. And don’t think I really care what kind of projects I get. The most important thing is that the project makes me excited. That Every project I’m doing is something new and something more. Something that you cannot see just every day.

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: Can you tell us about any future project you are working on?

Currently, over the summer I’m working on a lot of events for different companies. I’m going to paint all over the BMW I8. It will be something interesting. Also, I started a collaboration with Huawei and it will bring some interesting stuff out.

 

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: How do you see yourself and your work developing for the future?

I don’t see myself any different as  I am now. The future just one to enjoy in my work because my work is my life.

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What do you Think-Feel-Discover about the importance of colour in Fashion and how does colour influence your work as a Fashion Illustrator?

I think everybody in the Fashion industry as also every fashion Illustrator feels about the colour differently. I think I am the one who doesn’t like colours a lot. I’m mostly drawing in black and white. Picasso said that drawing in black and white is most difficult. I can also add that drawing in black and white is most beautiful.

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What is WOMAN, what is STYLE, What is elegance for MITJA BOKUN?

Independent strong woman with a unique style and elegance. Elegance for me is clean and strong design with a personal touch. Minimalistic and not many colours.

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What is the most important aspect of creativity for you?

Brainstorming first the ideas. When we don’t give our minds any obstacles. When everything is possible. When we don’t have any limits. Later it all gets into a budget zone and fairy tales are over.

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: When you’re not working, what are some of your hobbies?

I love my dog. I love walks in Forests. Currently, I am also deep into meditation.

 

 

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What do you Think-Feel-Discover about the importance of colour in Fashion and how does colour influence your work as a Fashion Illustrator?

I think everybody in the Fashion industry as also every fashion Illustrator feels about the colour differently. I think I am the one who doesn’t like colours a lot. I’m mostly drawing in black and white. Picasso said that drawing in black and white is most difficult. I can also add that drawing in black and white is most beautiful.

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: There are many people who discover their passion for drawing, even when they already have a job in another field. What would you tell them?

I was one of them. If their passion is just on hobby level then my suggestion does it, paint, draw, create. And if they want to do professional then my suggestion also does it. Don’t waste your time, just do it. No regrets.

♦ Think-Feel-Discover: What do you expect the most for your life?

Just enjoying my life, be happy and paint. It is what I love to do and I will do it until my end.

 

   Photo rights:www.bokun.si

FASHION INTERVIEW

Mitja Bocun

Awarded Fashion Illustrator
www.bokun.si

 

 By Chrysanthi Kosmatou, August 18/2017