Interview: Drash La Krass
Luca Curci talks with Sandra Billion aka Drash La Krass during CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2021 at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

Drash La Krass is an embroidery designer for Jean-Paul Gaultier; she works also for Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Dior… and many more. “As an expert, I’m in love with my job and now want to share more of my personal work. I create an embroidered canvas, all hand-crafted with Haute-Couture savoir faire such as needle and Lunéville’s hook. I am currently working on a mixture of paint and embroidery, to add shine and beauty to my illustrations, to bring luxury, mix the materials… work on the soul, looking for the soul.”

Luca Curci – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
Drash La Krass – I took artistic training in high school, then I joined a fashion school and a school of gold embroidery. I have been working for many years for the biggest names in fashion, and mainly for Jean-Paul Gaultier, as an embroidery stylist and embroidery collection coordinator. It’s my experience in fashion and costume that has most influenced my work, I think. whatever I do – drawing, embroidery – I always put a fashion dimension in it. My aesthetics is organized around brilliance, shadows, line.

LC – What is your creative process like?
DLK – During my creative process, I either draw inspiration from a photo, then I draw and decide on embroidery as I go along, or I start with embroidery according to the supplies that inspire me and the drawing is created at the same time. My favorite artistic themes are rather centered around cinema, imaginary landscapes, flowers and butterflies, but also my own vision of clothing that sometimes turns into a costume…

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it like your medium of expression?
DLK – I use art to express fragility and strength, in certain strokes of pencil or embroidery for example. I work on the search for the beautiful: by enhancing some simple features with noble materials I try to bring out the beauty of hidden or that one does not suspect.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
DLK – My embroidered painting is inspired by the Cinderella pumpkin, Which I find more magical in a pumpkin than in a pretty carriage. I prefer the authenticity of things, they are more interesting than the pageantry behind which we hide.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival? How did it inspire you?
DLK – My painting itself is inspired by icons, Madonnas, surely inspired by an exhibition in Italy. I think what inspired me the most for this exhibition is Venice itself, its mixture of contemporary art and jewel that this city borrows from history. It motivated me to work on this modern/classic blend that is already one of my guidelines.

LC – What do you think about the organization of our event?
DLK – I haven’t seen the organization in Venice yet, but for now, all my email exchanges have been great. Reactivity, benevolence, communication, help… your team is already very effective, I look forward to meeting you.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
DLK – I think ITSLIQUID can represent an opportunity for artists, I find you reassuring, at least since I started working with you.