Inspiration
How to Put Together a Collage: 10 Rules of Collage Artist David Delruelle
Cutting and putting together images attracts attention and is in demand in the fashion industry — although nobody exactly knows why. The Helen Marlen Group and Bird in Flight asked Belgian artist David Delruelle to create several collage pieces and make 10 rules for finding the right image.
David Delruelle
Belgian collage artist. Exhibited his work in Belgium, France, Portugal, and the US. Published his work in Hermitage Magazine, Bruzz Magazine, Agir par la culture, and other media outlets.
1
A collage doesn’t have to be figurative. I love making collages of ideas, using words or sounds for instance. Collage can be seen as a way of thinking.
2
When I started making collages, I was amazed by the endless possibilities of pictorial twists and fascinated by alternative worlds and dreamy landscapes. As I continued, my work became more conceptual.
3
I'm a minimalist. I love to tell the most by using as few artifices as possible. I also love to ‘hide’ things, putting information away. Making the characters fade in the landscape or erasing or blurring specific parts of the pictures.
On a model:
Gianvito Rossi ankle boots
Calvin Klein trousers
Calvin Klein 205W39NYC wool shirt
4
Most of the time I keep the image as it is. Sometimes I only turn it around or cut a small part of it. And it becomes another picture.
5
Collage is popular because it is a playful medium. It's easy to get, but wild and full of references to culture. It's straightforward, but clever. When it's good it's like a punch, it gets to you unexpectedly.
On a model:
Jacquemus shorts
Rejina Pyo blouse
Khaite woolen bodysuit
Christian Louboutin leather bag
6
The glossy paper was a real no-no for me at first. It's not a good paper to work with, and I don't think it's particularly beautiful either. But I've forced myself to use it on some projects and it turned out to be challenging and fun. Lately, I loved making radical cuts on old Paris Match magazines from the 30's to 80's. The paper is really thin, but it's very old and yellow with a nice texture. The ads from the 30's/50's are hilarious (and sometimes sadly misogynist).
I think big magazines don't attach as much importance to artistic photography production as they did before.
On a model:
Marsèll leather boots
Burberry jacket
Alexander Wang sweatshirt
Alexander Wang pants
7
I don’t think that cutting skills are crucial for a good collage work.
8
Every image can be useful.
9
A collage says something else than an original image when it's good. If it says more — it’s even better.
10
A collage creates an impossible world, so it’s main law is that nothing is impossible. If I could change something in the real world, maybe I'd like people to keep in touch with their inner child and accept others, be more curious, benevolent, and really care. That is sooo cliché!
Collage artist
David Delruelle
daviddelruelle.com
Wardrobe
Helen Marlen Group
helen-marlen.com
Stylist
Sonia Borushko
Models
Oleksandra Daruga
Jake Davis
Studio
Lightfield
lightfield.com.ua
