Daniel Velasco is an impassioned fashion illustrator who seeks to tame the ferociousness of fashion using the gentle approach of watercolor. With every intuitive brushstroke, he reflects his personal and insightful vision of the world of fashion, portraying each piece with knowledgeable sensibility resulting in energetic and fresh elegance.
His compositions push the limits of the format and his bold colors combine with one another symbiotically. His illustrations explore negative space when representing the human form and gamble between flat graphicness and dimensionality. His work is an amplified voice for the garments and the design choices found within them.
He has a master's degree in fine arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Clients include names like Hollywood stylist Johnny Wujek, pop star Katy Perry, actress Bella Thorne, the Sherri Hill company and Charleston stylist Andrea Serrano. His work has been published in the United States in New York City, Los Angeles, Charleston, Cincinnati, Savannah and Hilton Head Island, and abroad in Canada, Hong Kong, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela. Velasco returns to YAW to teach Fashion Styling, Trends, and Forcasting for high school students.
He talked with Continuing Education Program Manager Meg Wolensky.
Where are you from and what brought you to Philadelphia?
I am originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Last summer, I moved from South Carolina to Philadelphia for my current position as a YAW, Adult Continuing Education and BFA adjunct faculty member at Moore College of Art & Design.
What do you love about Moore?
The faculty and staff is absolutely wonderful. The students are very dedicated and hardworking, and have a positive attitude toward the learning experience. The facilities of the college are very comfortable and allow the students to have an optimal experience in their areas of study.
What have you been feeling inspired by?
Ever since I moved to this city, the amount of art displayed publicly have been a great source of inspiration. It’s always nurturing to attend the Philadelphia Museum of Art to any of their exhibitions. I usually gravitate to fashion designer shows, but enjoy tremendously any shows of painting and sculpture. Moore has a wonderfully privileged location that is only steps away from the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation and the Art Museum. The walks to work are very inspiring.
What’s your biggest career achievement in the arts?
I have had the opportunity to dress Katy Perry and Bella Thorne, and work for clients such as Visa, Procter & Gamble, and Energizer.
See more of Daniel Velasco's work here.
