Uncontrollably emitting squeals of delight at the sight of the above illustration? Don’t panic! This reaction is normal.
Basically, Fluff is the artistic equivalent of a baby rabbit wearing a tiny top hat (ie: obnoxiously cute). Created by Los Angeles artist Claudette Barjoud, the brand is an retro-clectic collection of hand drawn artworks, apparel and digital goodies.
We spoke to Claudette about porcelain, Photoshop and the world of Pinup. Here’s the sneakypeek.
{ How did Fluff come about? }
Fluff started long before it even had a name. I always loved cute, girly things like Hello Kitty and Barbie and always imagined designing my own line of magical things that would inspire people to squeal with delight.
Somehow I ended up in art school on a dare and after designing all kinds of things for different companies (from hair products package design to edible undies box design.) I decided to give my dream of Fluff a chance.
I started it as a line of greeting cards since I knew about printing. Then went door to door and sold them to local stores, then did trade shows and grew it from there.
{ What kind of materials and techniques do you use to use to create your designs? }
I use different things. Sometimes you just can’t beat good old fashioned pencil and paper. Other times I draw straight into the computer. I love Illustrator and Photoshop and cannot live without my Wacom tablet pen. I also love to paint in acrylic and sculpt in ceramic and porcelain.
{ Your themed collections are adorable! How do you come up with them? }
Thank you! I am inspired by different things. I really love old cartoons like Betty Boop and the original Disney films. The characters are just irresistible and so cute they just melt you!
I also am enthralled by design from the decades of the 1920′s – 1960′s including Art Deco, Classic Pinup and Mid Century Modern. And last but not least I love the magic of old Hollywood glamour. I cannot get enough of old movies like Some Like it Hot, Singing in the Rain and Ziegfeld Follies.
{ Who is your favourite vintage pinup girl of all time? }
I would have to say it is a toss up between Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe. They both possess such charm and sexiness mixed with an innocent coquettish quality that they just jump right off the page at you!
{ Plans for the rest of this year? }
I would say the most exciting thing fro this year is Fluff mobile apps! I have been working on it for some time now and cannot wait to for them to come out! They will be games featuring Fluff characters and also interactive worlds full of enchantment, cuteness and glamour.
The first one is called Cupcake Heaven that has a 1920′s inspired dolly that loves magic cupcakes. And the next app will be Sugar Dolls with interactive sparkling vignettes inspired by vintage burlesque shows that you can explore.