INTERVIEW by Alexandra S. Jupillat

“I would say that primarily I am a photographer. But what I do brings in so many other aspects. I’m like a one-man band with all the different drums, knobs and tambourines on.” – Alis Pelleschi

Armed with her diploma in Visual Communication, Alis, 23, is now based in East London and ready to make a name for herself. She’s been published in NYLON, SUPER SUPER !, GLAMOUR and I-D magazines to name a few. Now, FAULT features this emergent  phenomenon, a visual artist for REAL INDIVIDUALISTS. HAUNTINGLY.

What do you enjoy the most living in London?

I love all the characters that London supplies. And the energy that comes with London, in wanting to succeed in life.

I can say watching your different series you put honesty and a certain sense of humour too. How do you think you stand out from the other talents in the fashion industry? What is your personal approach to art?

There will always be competition within the fashion industry, and there is always this tendency to follow what others are doing, as what they are doing is amazing and getting them places. But no-one wants another copycat. I see so many amazing talented photographers that I would love to be more like, but I try to stay true to who I am and what I know and what I want to say and hopefully the rest will follow. I’m not really a documentary photographer and I don’t carry my camera around me everywhere (my dad always says I’m not a real photographer, because of this! Lol) I come across things in real life which I wish I could photograph but I think I would ruin the picture by doing so, if that makes sense? I try to use these moments to inspire my work.

Can you tell us more about the Photographers’ Gallery competition in which you are taking part?

I shot the series FASHION ICONS whilst I was studying my degree. I had just starting working for SUPERSUPER! magazine, on a series of portraits for every issue called SENIOR STYLE. I was interested in the concept of anyone being viable as a fashion icon or admirable. Why not? I find a lot of senior citizens have more of a sense of style (which is essentially more important than fashion), than people in the industry. I wanted to embrace choosing your own fashion icons, rather than the ones depicted in magazines or by celebrities. So alongside this, I shot this fashion series with KLING BY KLING’s collection, these are my fashion icons modelling the clothes.

 

I really love all your series presented on your website but I particularly enjoy the one you did for SUPER SUPER! Magazine (Lonely Hearts). Can you tell us more about this collaboration and the message behind your different looks?

SUPERSUPER! is and will always be my favourite magazine to work with. They were the first magazine to believe in me and actually support me. With every editorial or shoot I’ve done with them, it’s been a collaboration with either the previous art director Dan Szor or the now editor William E.Wright. They always involve late night emails and skype sessions, as these guys are just as excited as me to create some magic! No other magazine I have ever worked with has ever expressed that much enthusiasm to just create. Anyway, the idea behind it was to create a series of characters that I would imagine being on a Lonely Hearts website, looking for love. Some people say that my work is un-pc, and I don’t try to create stereotypes, but merely create characters inspired by real ones that I have come across in my everyday life.

You said about yourself you were a photographer, a stylist and a film-maker. You could also add modelling in the list. I saw beautiful unique portraits of yourself. Have you ever considered this?

A lot of my own personal and editorial work has come in the form of self-portraits. I come from a performing stage high school in the middle of a leeds council estate background, so I do enjoy performing and I’ve had to become confident in myself, which I think is why I do get asked to model for other photographers and magazines and things. I’m too short and got too many curves to be a real ‘agency’ model, but as with my own fashion photography, that idea of perfectionism and beauty is something I always like to question. Anyone can be beautiful, and anyone can be a muse!

What are your current project(s)?

I have just finished a project entitled “I’M SO HOT, I CAN’T WEAR PANTS.” In which I took 50 guys naked fashion portraits. So I’m finally getting to a point now where I want to exhibit and publish them. Got so many new ideas for new projects coming up.

You have been recently photographed in 123 Bethnal Green Road for NYLON Japan (serie: young creative hot girls in London in new London shops).  What would your Fashion Top Tip be for FAULT readers?

I had a woman come up to me in Iceland straight after this shoot and she said to me (in her florescent green jacket), “My mom always said to me: Be the Shepard, don’t be the sheep.” Try not to take yourself too seriously. Have fun with your look, you only live once innit?! And if having fun with your life, means being very conservative and beige, then that’s fine too! Just be you!

And what do you consider as a Fashion “Faux Pas”?

Ermmmm people always say Uggs here, but I do actually own a rip off Shoeworld gold pair. I hate thick alice bands (yes people are still wearing them.)

What is your dream job?

I’m really just at the start of my career, but ultimately doing what I do on a larger scale, travelling the world, photographing more interesting characters, doing massive exhibitions and being happy. I’m bit of want to do everything type of girl, and have got plans to start up my own clothing company  (hush hush) and all sorts. Anything is possible!

What is your FAULT?

That I kissed a boy, who gave me glandular fever, which in turn gave me m.e. (chronic fatigue). DON’T KISS DIRTY BOYS!

 

For further information, go visit her website and like her facebook page.

 

CREDIT

Model: Alis Pelleschi

Photographer: Alis Pelleschi

Clothing by Robin Switzman, 2008