The Artist - Charlotte Rose
Fashion and art have always gone hand in hand; both crafts reflecting and a reflection of the world around them. And with art, culture and music at the heart of our design process, the Saint and Sofia team is passionate about supporting up and coming artists, encouraging them to grow and following them on their journey.
As part of this collaboration, we’re launching our ‘The Artist’ campaign series, in which we profile some of our favourite emerging artists, musicians and creatives. In our very first campaign, we’re shining a light (and pointing our camera lens) onto artist and model Charlotte Rose.
Dressed in a few styles from Saint and Sofia’s new collection SS21 Collection, Charlotte allowed us into her studio to delve deeper into her creative process - colourful spray paint and all.
A new beginning
London-based Charlotte is a model by trade and has been working with Saint and Sofia on our campaigns since we first launched. Fusing together a distinctly rock and roll edge with an almost elfin-like fragility, Charlotte’s look perfectly embodies the Saint and Sofia brand.
But when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, Charlotte Rose found her modelling work was - temporarily - put on hold, and like much of the rest of us, she was plunged into a period of enforced downtime.
Looking for something to fill long, quarantined days, Charlotte found herself reaching for her paintbrush. What began as a means of creative expression and a way of dealing with the frustration and boredom of lockdown quickly became so much more. Soon, Charlotte was creating endlessly bold designs, exploring her artistic style, and finding success displaying her work on Instagram. Now, she balances modelling alongside an evolving career as one of the most exciting new artists to know.
Charlotte grew up surrounded by art - her mother is an artist, specialising in detailed, floral pieces, and her grandparents were in artistic fields too. Creativity is in her blood, and for many years Charlotte planned to be a writer, telling stories and building worlds through words.
Expression & Meaning
Charlotte’s love of words - specifically literature - is reflected in her work; she often turns to her favourite novelists for inspiration. Quotes from the likes of Charles Bukowski and Kurt Vonnegut can be found scrawled across her canvases.
Most of Charlotte’s work begins with an empty, sprawling canvas, which she nails into her living room wall (much to her boyfriend-and-flatmate’s dismay.) Then, she begins to paint.
Her most identifiable pieces centre around the recreation of iconic cigarette boxes - which she is drawn to for their clever use of branding, and the way they tap into an ephemeral sense of royalty, power and strength.
Then, she picks the perfect quote to paint over the top, looking to literature, music and film for inspiration. Quotes are spray-painted in bright, bold colours - neon pinks and greens against the contrasting primary colours that make up the regal cigarette branding beneath them.
“Lockdown Cave” - 145x100cm acrylic on plywood.
Fashion and art have always gone hand in hand; both crafts reflecting and a reflection of the world around them.
Charlotte’s Cigarette Box series is all about royalty, power and strength at a time of weakness.
“It’s Toasted” - 145cmx95cm acrylic on canvas.
Art for Saint and Sofia
Charlotte created several artworks for Saint and Sofia, painting on our signature styles. The Luther Leather Jacket, The Balham Boot and the Chelsea Purse (all featured here) have all been re-imagined with bold colours in acrylic.
The Saint and Sofia Luther Leather Jacket by Charlotte Rose.
The Balham Boot by Charlotte Rose for Saint and Sofia.
The Chelsea Medium Purse by Charlotte Rose for Saint and Sofia.
Art by Charlotte Rose
Below you can meet some of Charlotte’s recent works, created in her studio over the last year. Her most identifiable pieces centre around the recreation of iconic cigarette boxes - which she is drawn to for their clever use of branding, and the way they tap into an ephemeral sense of royalty, power and strength.
Then, she picks the perfect quote to paint over the top, looking to literature, music and film for inspiration. Quotes are spray-painted in bright, bold colours - neon pinks and greens against the contrasting primary colours that make up the regal cigarette branding beneath them.
Most of her paintings are also available to purchase as Wall Prints at CharlotteRose.Art
Charlotte is planning her maiden exhibition in London in March 2021 at the Noho Studios, 46 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia, London. However, government restrictions may push the date into April.
Originals can be purchased directly, you can message Charlotte via her Instagram account @char.lotterose
“Dream Harder” - 170x100cm acrylic on plywood.
“A Beautiful Fight” - 145x100cm acrylic on plywood.
“Lockdown Cave” - 145x100cm acrylic on plywood.
“Woman” - 170x95cm acrylic on canvas.
“Feeling Lucky” - 100cmx150cm acrylic on canvas.
“Burn It Down” - 145x100cm acrylic on plywood.
“Ignorance” - 122cmx80cm acrylic on plywood.
“I’ll Quit Next Week” - 122x80cm acrylic on plywood.