I am very excited to share this interview with you. Allow me to introduce Little Crow, an ever-so-sweet young art student with a love for fashion illustration. When I reached out to this incredibly talented, dancing artist about creating something for MsGoodliving, he was extremely willing, sincere, and reliable.
I came across this gentle soul on Instagram. As part of a race that is underappreciated and underrepresented in the fashion industry, I found his sketches immediately striking. Imagine my delight when faced with a collection of artistic fashion images, and the models were my complexion. There was an instant feeling of identification. I saw a reflection of myself, I saw my fashion tribe in his work.
Little Crow’s pictures are a compilation of fashion-loving characters that are like me: elegantly eclectic. Then there are those which are Afrocentric, others more theatrical and bold. Yet, all are very relatable.
Confession: Rikiel did the MsGoodliving website image and interview months ago after I hurried him, but I’ve only just used the image and posted the interview now. Nevertheless, he stayed in contact, acknowledging my greetings without asking or taking offense about the delayed publication. My aim for this article is for a renowned designer or fashion publication to commission this talented, lively, young dancing artist, Rikiel Baloji aka Little Crow.
MGL: “how did you start and what was your inspiration? ”
RB: My name is Rikiel Baloji. Rikiel is a reference to Sonia RYKIEL (thanks mom). I come from Guadeloupe. Studied fine arts in the preparatory class of the Centre des Métiers d’Arts (CMA) in Guadeloupe for one year then I quit my native Island to pursue my studies in Montpelier. I have an undergraduate in fine arts from Paul Valéry university of Montpelier. I live and study in Lyon, I’m in scenic arts (dance option) in Lyon 2 university.
MGL: Why fashion illustration ?
RB: Because it’s a way to reconcile my inclination for fashion and my passion for drawing, and sometimes illustration can bring to another reading, perspective, universe a fashion (art)work. And I like drawing clothes, characters, fabrics etc…
I think it express also a part of my personality, when I draw a fashion illustration, I put a part of myself in it or it’s an echo to my tastes.
MGL: How did you start and what was your inspiration?
RB: Fashion illustration is a long history even if it wasn’t obvious for me in the beginning. I started with my instagram account, posting my drawing just for pleasure and one day I was contacted by a young jewelry brand Nina Shine to represent and it is always a pleasure to collaborate with him. I was present, drawing in some fashion shows and sometimes I met fashion designers or other creative people ….
MGL: If you weren’t fashion illustrator what would be your plan B?
RB: Uhm to be sincere, I didn’t really think of a plan B, I think develop other skills in order to become maybe a fashion/ costume designer. But if I had to make a choice it would be cultural mediator or another job in art because art isn’t just a hobby, it is a passion, a way to breathe and express myself.
MGL: What process do you follow when doing an illustration for clients?
RB: When it is possible I meet my client and we discuss about what he/she wants. If I collaborate with a brand I like to listen the history of the brand, its values, it’s a matter and a way to give some life to the future illustration.
I adapt my style according to the sense of the brand, the personality of the client his/her predilections. It determines the technique I’ll choose, most of the time I feel comfortable with a mixing of alcohol markers and colored pencils but I can use watercolor, colored inks, graphite pencils and paper-cutting.
The important is that the final result delights the client and in a certain way find himself in the illustration.
MGL: What or who are your inspirations ?
RB: When I draw fashion illustrations it is the work of the designer and what it evokes for me. I’m really curious so many things but I have some predilections : Baroque art, Art Nouveau, mangas, anime, comic books, video games, Alice in Wonderland ‘s universe, Personalities like Marie Antoinette, Frederic Worth, Frida Kahlo, Shakespeare. Fashion illustrators and artists like : René Gruau, Anna Kiper, Minjae Lee, Taupe Syoka and many others.
MGL: What fashion house/designer would be your dream client?
RB: Difficult question I dream to work with Sonia Rykiel ‘s fashion house but also for Mcqueen and Balmain fashion houses.
MGL: Favourite international magazines vs favourite African magazine?
RB: Vogue is my favourite international magazine. I don’t know a lot of African magazine but I recently discovered media like Nothing but the wax and Fashizblack which are inspiring
MGL: Favourite international designer vs favourite African designer?
RB: My favourite international designer is Alexander McQueen, all his collections. My favourite African designer is Laduma Ngxokolo for his beautiful and colorful prints in knitwear.
GML:What are your goals for the future? Personal or career
RB: My goals are to meet new creative people, get more commissions, get my admission for Fashion and communication or Costume designer postgraduates, sell artworks in some exhibitions, learn to sew, develop my dance practicing. Nurture my skills and the most important make people smile with my illustrations, be happy, creative and inspiring !
MsGoodliving 
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