For the first time ever, CHARLES & KEITH is launching a global collaboration with artist Oamul Lu, who is known for his whimsical and romantic illustrations. For this limited-edition capsule collection, Oamul took inspiration from the elements of wind to design a unique nature-themed illustration.
Colourful and floral-filled, the artwork stands out against a clean white background on our tote bag, top handle bag, passport holder, cardholder and wallet, and will add a touch of feminine charm to your new seasonal wardrobe.
Read on to learn more about the artist.
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION MINI TOP HANDLE BAG >
You have a really interesting moniker! Can you tell us how you came to be known as ‘Oamul’?
My last name is ‘Lu’ and my family called me ‘Mao’ (which stands for cat in Chinese) when I was younger, so ‘Oamul’ is actually just a reversed combination of these two words.
You have a really interesting moniker! Can you tell us how you came to be known as ‘Oamul’?
My last name is ‘Lu’ and my family called me ‘Mao’ (which stands for cat in Chinese) when I was younger, so ‘Oamul’ is actually just a reversed combination of these two words.
What gave you the motivation to resign from the game developer that you worked for a few years ago and become an illustrator?
The opportunity came as social networking developed – people discovered me because I published my illustrations online. Slowly but surely, I began to receive offers to illustrate for books and magazines. Freelancing appealed to me because I could set my own schedule, so I resigned and started working full-time as an illustrator.
You have produced an impressive range of artistic works, from watercolour paintings to GIFs and animated videos. What is your favourite art form to work with, and how do you decide the theme of your next project?
The advantage of digital painting is that it allows me to experiment with different art mediums. I prefer painting because it allows me to capture the memories of my process better but GIFs are also fun to work on. As for the themes of my work, they have and will always be related to nature.
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION CARD HOLDER >
After graduation, you chose to work in Xiamen, which has a thriving art scene and is known as a centre of culture and creativity. What do you enjoy or love most about living there?
Xiamen is very much a second home to me. Life in this city is slow, which gives its people more time to think and create. However, what I love most about Xiamen are the friends that I have made here.
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION CARD HOLDER >
You have produced an impressive range of artistic works, from watercolour paintings to GIFs and animated videos. What is your favourite art form to work with, and how do you decide the theme of your next project?
The advantage of digital painting is that it allows me to experiment with different art mediums. I prefer painting because it allows me to capture the memories of my process better but GIFs are also fun to work on. As for the themes of my work, they have and will always be related to nature.
After graduation, you chose to work in Xiamen, which has a thriving art scene and is known as a centre of culture and creativity. What do you enjoy or love most about living there?
Xiamen is very much a second home to me. Life in this city is slow, which gives its people more time to think and create. However, what I love most about Xiamen are the friends that I have made here.
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION PASSPORT HOLDER >
We know that travel is a great source of inspiration for you. Which of the places that you have visited made the biggest impact on you as a person and illustrator? Are there any destinations that you hope to travel to in the near future?
I love travelling. When I travel, I experience a lot of new things with my different senses and that inspires me to create. Iceland has left a deep, lasting impression on me. It was there that I created many artworks that I like and I am planning to travel back there.
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION PASSPORT HOLDER >
We know that travel is a great source of inspiration for you. Which of the places that you have visited made the biggest impact on you as a person and illustrator? Are there any destinations that you hope to travel to in the near future?
I love travelling. When I travel, I experience a lot of new things with my different senses and that inspires me to create. Iceland has left a deep, lasting impression on me. It was there that I created many artworks that I like and I am planning to travel back there.
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION LONG WALLET >
- SNAKE PRINT GEM EMBELLISHED CYLINDRICAL HEEL MARY JANE PUMPS >
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION TOTE BAG >
- SQUARE TOE D'ORSAY LOAFERS >
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION LONG WALLET >
- SNAKE PRINT GEM EMBELLISHED CYLINDRICAL HEEL MARY JANE PUMPS >
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION TOTE BAG >
- SQUARE TOE D'ORSAY LOAFERS >
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION LONG WALLET >
- SNAKE PRINT GEM EMBELLISHED CYLINDRICAL HEEL MARY JANE PUMPS >
- FLORAL ILLUSTRATION TOTE BAG >
- SQUARE TOE D'ORSAY LOAFERS >
What do you think of fashion as a form of creative expression? How do you think your personal style has influenced your art and vice versa?
Everyone has different opinions on fashion and their own sense of style. My sense of style and illustrations are both ways of expressing myself but I don’t think that they influence each other. They are simply different means to present who I am.
For your collaboration with CHARLES & KEITH, you have specially created a unique illustration in your signature style. What is the story or inspiration behind these whimsical nature-themed drawings?
Autumn is the theme of this collaboration. Although the season calls the withering of plants to mind, I wanted to use rich autumnal colours to capture the vitality of nature and its flowers.
What do you hope to achieve with your art, and in what ways do you want it to influence your audience?
Most of the time, painting is an outlet for self-expression and my method of self-documentation. I hope that my audience can discover the beautiful little things in their own lives through my art.
