Growing as a Fashion Illustrator, an Interview with Emma Tsilele
An Interview with Fashion Illustrator Emma Tsilele, creator of junk.not.trash
Emma Tsilele is one of our Graduate Fashion Week alumni, having won the Fashion Illustration Award last year. Returning to Graduate Fashion Week in 2026, she captured the energy of the runway through a series of live fashion illustrations. She is the creator of The Junk Magazine and since graduating, has collaborated with leading designers and cultural institutions, establishing herself as an exciting voice in contemporary fashion illustration.
How did it feel to return to GFW as an alumni after presenting, has coming back made you reflect on how far you’ve come creatively?
“It was a bit surreal honestly, I’ve experienced a lot of personal and career development since presenting at GFW last year. Being back in that environment reminded me of the uncertainty I felt last year, in regards to what would be the next step for me. I am happy to say I’ve definitely been sorting that out this past year and am finding my space in the fashion world.”
When you’re illustrating the catwalk looks in real time, what is the biggest challenge of capturing a look in just a few seconds?
“Live fashion illustration is still very new to me, and it’s definitely a form of illustration that takes a while to get comfortable with. So I’d say my biggest challenge was letting go of my perfectionism. The way I decided to approach this project was that I would first get the general shape of the garment, then snap a quick picture before the model was off the runway to continue adding in details.”
Was there a particular look from GFW that has really inspired you?
“Honestly, the collections I decided to illustrate all really inspired me, as these designers had definitely pushed the boundaries on innovative fashion and childish whimsy– like designer Eleanor Sherrington’s technology infused pieces or Halley Richardson’s garment with a gigantic fork… these designers have such creative minds!”
Are there any artists or fashion illustrators who’ve had a big influence on your work?
“Fashion illustrators Elyse Blackshaw and Tracey Smith have been very influential for me in terms of my illustration development this year. Besides the fact that I love their illustration styles, getting the opportunity to assist them on different fashion illustration projects has been very essential to my growth as an illustrator and creative in general.”
How has your career developed since presenting at GFW?
“I’ve gotten to work with different artists and designers, some of which I’ve been a fan of for years now– which has been so surreal! I was a talent judge for the Graduate Fashion Foundation ‘Young Talent of Tomorrow’ Competition, and had worked on projects for the MET Museum, V&A Museum, and London Fashion Week. These opportunities have aided me in developing my skills in sewing and patternmaking, and growing as a creative… It’s been quite a busy year!”
When working on the Cano Water cans, what was it like adapting your artwork to such an unconventional canvas?
“Intimidating at first… But as I started creating the illustrations on the cans, I began to understand how the pens interacted with the surface, which impacted how I illustrated them making the process less daunting.”
Have there been any projects that pushed you completely outside your comfort zone?
“At this point in my career, I’d say working for designer Michaela Stark on pieces for the MET and V&A Museums has been the project that has pushed me outside my comfort zone the most, but it was an incredibly rewarding experience! In regards to fashion illustration based projects, I’d say this project with GFW has been quite challenging. Between tackling illustrating on a new medium with the Cano Water cans, and illustrating the runway shows live— all within the walls of the very lively GFW environment — it definitely presented some challenges at times, yet I am very pleased with the results of all the illustrations I’ve done for this project!”
What’s always in your illustration kit?
“If I’m illustrating digitally– my iPad and Apple Pencil. But on the daily I carry around a mini sketchbook and thin tip colored pens, so I can always draw on the go when I feel inspired to.”
What kind of collaborations would you love to do next?
“I’d love to collaborate with Chopova Lowena, the brand’s whimsical nature and approach to fashion is definitely something I align with in my own work.”
