Daniel Palillo is a Helsinki-based artist and fashion designer.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. I am Daniel Palillo. I work with art and fashion.
How has living in Helsinki affected your work? Helsinki has a big meaning and inspiration in what I do. Helsinki is very small, which makes it ideal for me to work. Also, in a way that when you come back its easier to get things done. It is a very dark city, during the winter time, we have just a few hours of sun. I find it all very inspiring.
What designers are you interested in right now? I don’t really follow what’s happening.
Tell us about your work process and how it develops. In past years, I have been working with many different methods. I’ve been working with form as a visual diary. Getting inspiration through things near and around me. I have also been working with form as a method actor. At one point, I was very into motorcycles and turned myself into a biker to be inspired. I have noticed that it is very important to go deep into a role to find inspiration from it. During this time, I bought myself a Harley Davidson to get the authentic feel. After the biker era, came an era of slacking. I was inspired of slackers. It worked by not working. I was very inspired on culture like that.
What do you want a viewer to walk away with after experiencing your work? That everything should not be so serious.
What’s your absolute favorite place in the city/the world to be? Right now, it’s New York. I have been coming to New York, few times a year now. I find it very inspiring for me.
Most embarrassing moment? I have a habit of getting myself into very awkward situations. I am too shy to share them.
Any recent or upcoming events you are involved in that we should know about? Daniel Palillo, Paintings about the Fashion World, 5th – 7th of September at the Hole gallery in New York.
Favorite article of clothing? T-shirt.
Can you share one of the best or worst reactions you have gotten as a result of your work? I heard someone say that it is like a second skin. Also, one time an old lady contacted me and asked if I could make her an evening gown for the Independent day gala. Hosted at Finnish president’s house (it is a very big thing and everyone makes a big fuss about it), I asked her if she was sure and if she was familiar with my work. She had no idea, but I think someone had recommend me and that is why she contacted me. In the end, I showed her my work. She looked horrified and told me she was going to call me. That was a funny thing that happened.