The work of the artist Saray Luís Martín (creator of Dessinetas) has been linked from its beginnings to the world of fashion. Inspired by Paris, Tokyo or Menorca, this Barcelona-based illustrator creates very personal 3D collages that bring her favorite fashion stories to life, paying tribute to iconic collections, characters or unique places. An absolutely handcrafted and patient work that gains special relevance and merit in times of AI. She has signed collaborations for Louis Vuitton, Dior, Karl Lagerfeld, Inditex or Cartier, among others. She is passionate about vintage clothing.

Thank you for being part of this celebration of the festival’s 10 years.

I love it, it is the first campaign I do related to Barcelona, fashion and cinema. Sometimes there is more reliance on established talents from outside, and I value that all the faces of this campaign are local artists. Since the festival started I have seen many documentaries here. I especially remember the documentary about Raf Simons and Dior, one dedicated to Vogue, the one about Twiggy or the one about Mary Quant. I would really like to see in future editions some film directed by Sofia Coppola. Or that Wes Anderson would direct something about fashion.

How did your link with art begin?

Since I was little I have drawn a lot, the gifts I asked for were always markers or pencils. Professionally, I have been dedicated to it full time for 17 years, it has come very naturally.

Your style when dressing, like in your work, is colorful and very lively.

I would say I am between French and Japanese; between romantic, naïf and freak. It is interesting to see different styles in the street, from the most radical to a very refined clean look; the most important thing is to dress with absolute freedom, with what you feel comfortable in and not be carried away by trends, go ahead with everything.

How do you define your visual signature?

I say I am a treasure seeker. I love finding unique, special pieces, and that is easier with vintage. Whenever I buy a garment I like to ask the seller where it comes from, from what era it is, the origin, the materials, if they know who it belonged to. I like to investigate. Some time ago I bought a bag from a girl; it was her grandmother’s, from the seventies. Taking interest is a way of appreciating craftsmanship, of keeping alive the memory of an object, of knowing the story behind the creation processes.

Do you have a favorite?

I can think of a red jacket from the early nineties by Chanel that I bought in Tokyo. In an incredible place, a very tiny shop that is now very famous but ten years ago was still kind of secret.

Did you use to “borrow” from your mother’s wardrobe?

No, maybe more from my grandmothers, who had wonderful cashmere cardigans. My mother doesn’t care much about fashion. She jokes: how can you have so many bags? One of my grandmothers loved shoes and was very coquettish, but in my family there is no tradition in fashion professions. But I have never been the “odd one”, they have understood it very well and have fully supported me. My father maybe suffered at the beginning because he saw it difficult to live from this profession, but later he told me he was calm because he saw that I was doing well.

Tell us about a project you are especially fond of.

I was very excited about the Vogue USA show last year. They saw a cut-out I made without it being a commission, it was very spontaneous, and they contacted me, congratulated me and published it on their profile. I have worked a lot with watercolors, with live paintings, but now I am more at a point of playing with paper, cut-outs, to show them at fashion events, for example, give them movement and “put” people into my work, make them participate in it. Create added value in a specific place and moment. In Barcelona illustration has a lot of tradition and the profession is valued.

Have you ever drawn on garments or fabrics?

Yes, I have created prints for some brand with my own illustrations. The good thing about my profession is that you can experiment infinitely. Anything that involves trying techniques I like. I advocate for this craft and I think it is important to support each other along the way, not wait for someone to succeed but to accompany when you are still little known.

Which documentary from this 10th edition do you recommend?

Akris: Fashion with a Heritage, Gucci: Luxe, Drame et Volupté and The Hands That Sew