Ilse Valfre

I'd like to introduce you to, Ilse Valfre. (:  

I recently saw her as Teen Vogue's Best Dressed Reader of the Day and when I ventured onto her website, I found these amazing illustrations. She agreed to answer a few questions.

Me: What made you start illustrating as a child?

Ilse: As a creative mind I found illustrating helped me express the way I saw thing as a child, it made things easier. 

How did you get into modeling? 
I was in the store urban outfitters shopping with my older sister, and a model scout came to me, and started offering me work at her agency. I loved it! I could be me, I could be in touch with fashion and I also met very interesting people on the way. 

You have been involved with so many different things! Illustrating, fashion design, modeling, and teaching. Do you have a favorite? 
I just couldn't choose, I find them all very fulfilling in the different aspects of my life, As I do believe we are not inspired or moved but only one thing, but we are the result of the many things that make up our lives.


We know you have many creative outlets, but where do you find the inspiration for them? Every day life, where you least expect it, inspiration comes.

How would you describe your style and how it relates to your clothing line?
For personal reasons my clothing line has been paused, I’m now focusing on my illustrations. But my fashion sense comes mostly from my father, even though I am the ultimate girly girl. 

Teen Vogue selected you as the day's best dressed reader, so I'm sure everyone would like to know, where do you do your shopping? (: 
I love thrift stores! My personal favs are Urban Outfitters, Marc by Marc Jacobs, TARGET!!!! ...I love target! I think fashion should be accessible to all! Also getting what suits you the best out of your favorite stores, no matter the price!

What is your children's series, "The Bambinis" all about? 
I love the differences within cultures around the World, I choose my personal favorites and made up adventures of their everyday life with a splash of style. When I was a teacher, my students where from different nationalities, so I took that as an guideline and developed a non fiction story of three characters who go about there lifes as three year olds. I really must thank being a teacher, all those hours observing the little ones really inspired me, and I came up with the idea of mixing up style and three year olds interacting . 

Do you have anything exciting coming up in the future? 
Yes! I modeled for The Converse add campaign, that will be coming out on summer 2010, so that’s pretty exciting! I'm also co working with a friend of mine, founder of De la Barracuda Shop, and my illustrations will be printed on clothing; stay tuned for the upcoming look book of my creations.