A EUPHORIC MIND, IVANNA GAUTIER

There are people that carry with them an innate magic; people that only by being in their presence, through their genuine and honest essence; can touch and pass on a beautiful extra ‘something’ that is hard to explain. Ivanna is certainly one of those beings. A Euphoric Mind of infinite talent, full of dreams, and with a heart of gold. I call her ‘la artista’.  

She was born in Caracas. Today, she lives in Madrid; and with only 26 years old she has won a place to show one of her paintings in the Museu Europeu d’Art Modern, MAEM, in Barcelona, Spain this upcoming month of May.

Here our lovely interview…

When and how did you meet your inner artist?

I never thought I would paint. It did not even interest me at first. In fact, my mom did all my schoolwork related to art. She has this spectacular ability to create art.

It all started in High School. I got so bored in class that I started to draw my teachers. Then I noticed that it was quite easy and natural for me to draw and paint. So, I ask my mother to take me to the art store. And here I am. Art became a part of me.

Drawing became a sort of scape. Each time I did not feel so well, I took my little sketchbook, and I wrote, drew, painted. I still have that notebook. Eventually, I took classes and realized that I had found ‘my thing’.

Today, I am more connected to my painting than ever. I cannot imagine doing something else.

Who have been your greatest influences?

Mi artistic carreer would have not started without the influence of someone so important to me, Oscar Villalón. The bases of my work are thanks to what I learned from him and his art academy,  Decinti Villalón, when I came to live in Madrid. 

Then, Eloy Morales, one of my greatest motivators and teacher. Madrid, and the opportunity this city gives me of being surrounded by art exhibitions all the time. Antonio López, who I consider the best Spanish painter today. Also, other modern artists such as Sebas Velasco. He makes superb wall paintings that really move me. From the classical painters; Velázquez (my favorite) and Mariano Fortuny. It is amazing what they accomplished with a few brushstrokes.

What inspires you to create?

My huge curiosity and my mistakes. They enrich me so much. They inspire me to keep moving, pushing, and improving myself. Exploring new techniques motivates me a lot too. But mostly, learning from my mistakes is what pushes me beyond who I am and inspires me.

What are your favorite artistic mediums of expression and materials?

All of them! But if I must choose, I really love oil painting and coloring pencils.

And what do you like to paint the most?

Everything. Especially the human body; and not necessarily realistically speaking. It is so wonderful the fact that a person can recreate another one through painting.

How do you manage to live with your artistic side? Is it present in everything you do, or do you have your moments?

I live with it all the time. Without a doubt, I carry that extra sensibility everywhere I go. Sometimes it is not easy. One might suffer more. But at the end, art is usually born through seeing and feeling the everyday life in a sensible and very personal way. I guess I have to learn to live with that.   

You have won a place in a particularly important exhibition in Barcelona, Spain. How did it all happen?

I did not have any expectations. I never thought they would choose my painting. There were around a thousand artists competing for thirty spaces. But I felt I had the basics to put myself to the test. I took my chances. Why did they pick my painting? That, I will find out when I get there in May. I hope this is the beginning of beautiful things to come.

The exhibition will be on May 17^th in the MEAM. This is a huge honor for me.

How do you see yourself in few years?

I see myself working on what I love; each time with more freedom to do only what I really like. I want my clients to say: “Do what you want. I trust you 100%.” I see myself making art, which is an inseparable part of who I am.

Thank you, Ivanna. You are a star in every sense! I wish you the best of luck because you deserve it.

@ivannagautier

Life is a runway!

XO

Gaby

UNA EUPHORIC MIND, IVANNA GAUTIER

Existen seres humanos que solo con estar en su presencia, gracias a su esencia genuina y sincera; nos tocan, nos transmiten algo tan bonito. Ivanna es una de esas personas… Una Euphoric Mind, de talento artístico infinito, llena de sueños y con un corazón de oro gigante. Yo la llamo ‘la artista’.

Nacida en Caracas, residida en Madrid; quien con apenas 26 años ha logrado una plaza entre solo treinta para exponer una de sus obras en el Museo Europeo de Arte Moderno, MAEM, en Barcelona, España, este próximo mes de mayo.

Aquí se las presento…

¿Cómo comenzó tu camino en el mundo de la pintura?

Nunca me imaginé que iba a pintar. Ni siquiera era algo que me interesaba. De hecho, todos mis trabajos de arte cuando era niña me los hacía mi mamá; que tiene una habilidad espectacular para crear arte.

Todo empezó en el colegio en mis años de Bachillerato. Me aburría tanto en clase que lo único que se me ocurría era pintar a la monjita que teníamos de profesora. Allí fue cuando empecé a darme cuenta de que dibujar se me daba natural. Así que le pedí a mi mamá que me llevara a una tienda de arte; y entonces este mundo se volvió parte de mí.

Dibujar se convirtió en mi escape. Cada vez que tenía un problema, agarraba mi cuadernito; escribía y dibujaba. Todavía tengo ese sketch book. Luego, tomé clases y me dije “esto es lo mío”.

Hoy en día estoy más que nunca conectada con mi pintura. No me imagino haciendo otra cosa.

¿Quiénes han sido y/o son tus más grandes influencias?

Mi carrera artística nunca habría comenzado sin la influencia de alguien importantísimo para mi, Oscar Villalón. Mis bases se las debo a él y a lo aprendido en su academia, Decinti Villalón, cuando llegué a Madrid. 

Luego, Eloy Morales, quien ha sido un enorme motivador y maestro. Madrid también. Esta ciudad me regala la oportunidad de vivir perennemente rodeada de exposiciones de arte. Me encanta Antonio López, que lo considero el mejor pintor español de hoy. Igualmente, otros más modernos; como Sebas Velasco, que hace unos murales que me mueven un montón. De los clásicos, Velázquez es mi favorito. Mariano Fortuny, igual; me encanta. Es increíble lo que lograban con tres pinceladas.

¿Qué te inspira, qué te mueve a ‘crear’?

Creo que el hecho de que soy muy, muy curiosa. Siento que me enriquezco de mis errores. Estos me inspiran a seguir. Explorar técnicas nuevas también me motiva muchísimo. Y mi deseo de llegar muy lejos. Pero sobre todo eso, trabajar en torno al error. Siempre me exijo más; siempre quiero dar más de mí, y cometer errores me ayuda a eso.

¿Cuál es tu medio de expresión y tus materiales favoritos?

Podría decir que absolutamente todos; al igual que todos los motivos de pintura. El óleo y los lápices de color me fascinan.

¿Y lo que más te encanta pintar?

¡Todo! Pero si me tuviese que quedar con algo, sería representar la figura humana. Sea como sea. No tiene que ser realista. Me parece alucinante como una persona puede recrear a otra por medio de la pintura.

¿Cómo convives con tu lado artista en el día a día? ¿Se refleja en todo lo que haces, o tienes tus momentos?

Vivo con mi lado artista siempre. Llevo esa sensibilidad extra conmigo para todos lados. A veces es difícil lidiar con eso. Tal vez se sufre más. Pero al final, el arte casi siempre surge de ver las cosas de la vida cotidiana de manera más profunda, sentida e individual. Me toca aprender a lidiar con eso.   

Has ganado un lugar en una exposición importante en Barcelona, España. ¿Cómo ocurrió? ¿Por qué dirías que han escogido tu obra?

No tenía expectativas. No tenía idea de que me iban a elegir. Eran alrededor de mil personas compitiendo por treinta plazas. Pero me sentí que había llegado a un nivel base para arriesgarme y lanzarme a probar. No sé porque escogieron mi obra. Ya me enteraré cuando vaya en mayo a la exposición. Espero que sea el principio de muchas cosas bonitas.

Cuéntanos los detalles de la exposición.

La exposición es el 17 de mayo en el MEAM. Esto es un gran honor para mí.

¿Cómo te ves de aquí a unos años?

Me veo y aspiro seguir trabajando con y por lo que me gusta; cada vez con más libertad de crear solo lo que me gusta; sin seguir pautas en los encargos que me hagan. Quiero que me digan: “Haz lo que tú quieras”, y que confíen en mí 100%. Me veo viviendo de lo que me llena, que es poder crear arte; que hoy día ya no se siente un trabajo, porque es parte de lo que soy.

Gracias, Ivanna. Eres una estrella en su amplio sentido. Todo el éxito del mundo. Porque te lo mereces y lo tendrás siempre.

@ivannagautier

Life is a runway!

XO

Gaby

PARIS PRÊT-À-PORTER FALL/WINTER 2024 TRENDS

Minimalism accompanied by the class and/or edginess of XL fits, skin-bearing (sometimes nudity), transparencies, asymmetry, masculinity, abstraction, and theatricality… Or, a total devotion to an unapologetic maximalism mixed with traditional French irreverence. Mmmmm… All of them, ingredients that are essential parts of the je ne sais quoi the Parisian runways are known for. The French savoir faire et savoir être cannot be denied in the Fall/Winter 2024 prêt-à-porter collections (or ever). So glorious!

Here some trends not to leave aside…

BLACK QUIET LUX

Tantalizing, very minimal and elegant timeless looks in regal black. (Valentino)

FLUID TAILORING 

Marvelous masculinity characterized by superb tailoring and fabrics; relaxed-fits, huge shoulder-pads, fluid pantsuits; and mostly double-breasted jackets. (Saint Laurent)

DENIM WITH TWISTS 

Easy-to-wear denim pieces with delightful panels or additions in varied fabrics and materials; patchwork, playful trims, asymmetric lines and detailing… So inviting. (Undercover)

HOODED DRESSES

Tubular, knitted hooded dresses exuding plenty of modern vibes; ideal to stay stylishly warm. (Acne Studios)

VIBRANT SIMPLICITY

Minimal silhouettes, lines and classic shapes in vibrant monochromic colors; because less is, in fact, a lot of times more. (Gaucher)

CARGO PIECES

Cool and functional cargo pants; some with beautiful matching jackets; in inviting colors and stylish standout detailing. (Off-White)

BOHEMIAN ELEGANCE 

Gorgeous and elegant tunics with a delightful soft flow; with or without multiple ruffles; in fine fabrics, such as silk and lace. Many looks completed with wonderful bohemian accessories and oversize capes and coats. (Chloé)

ASYMMETRIC EASE

Oversized or body-hugging separates, dresses and toppers; charged with an attractive nonchalance articulated through asymmetric silhouettes, cuts, paneling and draping. (Rochas)

3-DIMENSIONALITY

Artsy, masterful 3D motifs, forms and lines stood out introduced as strategic elements or as total-looks. (Balmain) 

CORSETING

Feminine corsets presented as part of one’s daily casual repertoire; elevating informality to a higher and very coveted level. (Schiaparelli) 

OVERSIZE NECKS 

Wonderful tops and sweaters (specially those knitted ones), dresses, jackets, bombers, puffers, and coats with playful, stylish huge necks. (Givenchy)

60s SHIFTS

Straight, mini shift dresses and dress-coats; bringing in lovely 60s vibes. In sweet or sexy monochromatic colors, or delightful prints and patterns. (Giambattista Valli) 

COOL KNITS

Edgy knitted pieces, showing off their delightful tendency for the fun and creative. XL silhouettes played a big part in all of it. (Stella McCartney)

FRINGED 

Rich fringes, in a wide variety of beautiful materials, tones, sizes, and lengths added character and spice to so many accessories, separates and ensembles. (Isabel Marant) 

THE ETERNAL ROMANTIC

Sublime, romantic sumptuous gowns, full of details in the most delicate materials. Some with simple lines; others with masterful draping. Capes, transparencies, and ultra high slits were among the most popular elements. (Zuhair Murad) 

THE STORYTELLER

Extraordinary bucolic dresses full of motifs, figures, prints and patterns inviting us, without a doubt, to travel through stories we might want to create for ourselves. (Zimmermann) 

Life is a runway! 

Much love,

Gaby 

*Pictures are not mine. They belong to Vogue’s Runway App and its brilliant collaborators.