Elegance, refinement and luxury: Pierre-Louis Mascia

When I first saw some fashion illustrations by Pierre-Louis Mascia, I actually thought about the work of one of my favourite fashion artists, René Gruau.

Mascia has got indeed the same talent for representing female figures. His sombre, elongated bodies have got something Expressionist about them.

His human figures are sketchily rendered yet they look very elegant, graceful and refined.

Mascia has also transferred his trademark style and love for elegance and distinction to his accessory line that currently features bags and scarves.

Here are two questions with him, but you can read more about his work as illustrator and his accessories in my interview with him for Dazed Digital.

Question: Did you study fashion design?
Pierre-Louis Mascia: I did a 5-year course in Fine Arts, then I did a Master and focused on the figure of the fashion creator, working on Yohji Yamamoto and Romeo Gigli’s universes. After my studies, I focused on my career as fashion illustrator while also working as consultant for different accessory brands.

Question: Which materials do you usually employ for your scarves and bags and who is your ideal customers?
Pierre-Louis Mascia: For the summer scarves I use silk and jersey; for the winter I prefer a jersey and cashmere blend. The bags come in two different options, leather and printed fabric. When I first started I did a bag in white leather that incorporated a silvery zigzagging knitted motif. It was beautiful, yet it was crazy since it was very difficult to make. The scarves are produced in the Italian silk district of Como, while the bags are made in Portugal by a little company that also works for Ann Demeulemeester. I think I have two kind of customers: some are very classy, but they want to add a touch of bohemia to their look, others are more fashionable and buy my accessories to mix them with a creation by Comme des Garçons or Dries van Noten.