Art and Inspiration · June 15, 2022

Inspiration boost: The virtuoso Zaire

This month, we introduce you to our multi-talented creator, Zaïre! This young virtuoso artist masters both photography and digital imagery. Dive into his fascinating, gentle, and colorful world, which is as poetic as it is impactful!

Hello Zaïre, we are delighted to welcome you again to our Inspiration Boost! For those who haven't had the chance to discover you yet, could you introduce yourself in a few words?

Zaïre, Photographer, and Web Designer.

You mainly work with photography and digital image editing. What led you to focus more on photography, and which artists have inspired you?

It's faster!

As for the artists: Inez and Vinoodh, Annie Leibovitz, and Steve Ditko.

You also blend photography and painting, and you are involved in graphic design as well. Your artistic universe is mysterious, captivating, and colorful. How did you come to embrace this graphic style? And what led you to mix all these elements together?

I took everything I loved and created what I loved!

Whether through photography or graphic design, what are your favorite subjects or themes that you like to explore? Has it changed since your beginnings?

I am getting closer and closer to the process of photography! Recently, I have started experimenting with film photography.

How do you find the balance between your work as a photographer and your work as a graphic designer? Are there periods when you focus more on one medium than the other?

I mainly work more on graphic design because it's my profession!

What are the main challenges you often face in your artistic work?

Accepting the completion of a piece. I feel like everything can be pushed further.

How do you cultivate your inspiration on a daily basis? How do you stay inspired?

It's essential to seek out artworks that might not have caught your attention at first glance! Trying new things that may not initially seem appealing. So, staying open to things that might not interest you at first sight, but when given a chance, they can really open you up to a different perspective and inspire you! In other words, stepping out of your comfort zone and forcing yourself to explore elsewhere, because with all the algorithms these days, we tend to keep seeing the same kinds of things.

How do you organize your creative days? Do you have a particular routine?

A short walk outside to reset myself, a coffee, and I'm good to go.

Do you usually create while listening to music? If so, what type of music do you enjoy listening to while working?

Yes! But I work better in silence. I always listen to music, and it anchors me too much in time.

Tell us a bit about the beautiful beanies and tubes you created for us. You have chosen very graphic patterns, with vibrant colors and layered lines. What inspired you, and what techniques did you use for these designs?

Mainly Photoshop! I drew inspiration mainly from Steve Ditko's artwork for Doctor Strange, which is very psychedelic and colorful. After COVID and winter, I felt there was a lack of beautiful colors!

Do you have any future projects that you would like to share with us?

My hard drive crashed, and my Instagram account got hacked. Unfortunately, I lost everything from the last 10 years. I will probably create a tribute to that!

New AH2022 collection

For the new AW22-23 collection, we are thrilled to announce the strong comeback of ZAÏRE, known as Carl-Hugo. He presents us with three different ultra-graphic, youthful, and dynamic designs. The result is a collection for both adults and children, featuring beanies and tubes for outdoor enthusiasts who love to add some color to their adventures!

Here's a sneak peek of the upcoming collection, arriving very soon!

Sneak peek of our new AW22-23 collection by Zaire