Artist Interview - Yokoo

My lovely readers, I'm starting and hoping to turn it into a biweekly series as Artist Interview Thursday.

My first artist interview who I'm truly amazed by her work, and her quick, "yes!" to my interview request, is Yokoo. Thank you for agreeing to the interview, and reply to my questions. ;D

If you're into the fashion in lookbook.nu, facehunter and read Susie Bubble, then there's no way you don't know about Yokoo, but even you're not into the 80s fashion comeback, you've probably already seen her in Etsy.

I am fascinated when I first found her and her shop. Not only her work is one of a kind, but people are drawn to her, as a special character with quirky, bold and "somehow this works so well" styling. When I learned knitting from my mom, I never would have thought that knitting can be something, hm...cool and fashionable, but Yokoo not only managed to make a living out of knitting chunky scarfs, along the way, became a bit famous herself, famous enough that Jenny, an Israel illustrator painted her and put it up for sale, which subsequently made it to the front page of Etsy.

True to her photography, her words are equally unusual and different:

You always seem kind of mysterious in someway, so who's Yokoo?

Perhaps, the reason why Yokoo is such a mystery to others is quite frankly because she is a mystery to me as well. Everyday I wake up with and have to look in the mirror to simply remind of myself of who I used to be. But I wouldn't have it any other way. It is as if I too am watching myself from afar wondering what I will do next. I know it must seem like there is some method to my madness, but no, this story begins with an ending nowhere in sight, this allows read it with as much anticipation as everyone else.

Where do you draw your inspiration?

You know what? I’m gonna be frank with you. I really don’t know what that question means. This is the first time I am admitting it, but for years I have been hearing this question posed to artists, I never knew what it meant, and I don’t think anyone knows what it means. You mean to tell me that there are people out there that can take walk and smell a flower, and suddenly sit back at home and paint better, and dancer better? Who are these people? How do they dress?

Did you teach yourself to knit?

Yes pretty much I taught myself.

Before etsy and knitting, what did you do?

Before I came too busy for anything but filling orders, I lived my life as rather faint and less notable and chronic sentimentalist. Yeah I was one of those girls. I fell in love more times than Erica Kane. I based my entire life around whomever I was in love with at the time. Painters, musicians, drug dealers. I even dated a man who used to pick pockets. Then somewhere along the line I realized I was just a hapless romantic who, like the rest of my peers, grew up on bad television and romantic comedies and I should stop torturing myself over men that didn't wipe my tears with silk handkerchiefs.

When do you realize you're kind of famous, not just within etsy community?

You know, the funny thing is, I have been bombarded with the usual bravado that comes with being an social entity, like being approached by total strangers. But it never really hit me until I went home last December and I had dropped my cup on the floor and when usually I would just pick it up, my entire family scrambled to do it for me. That when I suddenly realized something had changed profoundly.

I'd imagine knitting all day you need something to entertain yourself. Who's your favorite musicians and how do they influence your work?

Music doesn't influence my work unless I'm brainstorming for a new product to come up with. That’s when I have to be careful. Because I usually have my itunes on and if I'm listening to John Denver, then I'll come up with something like a bold Indian aztec scarf. If I’m listening to someone like Nas, I may end up knitting an irreconcilable death threat. So I have to be careful.

Other than Woody Allen, who else is your favorite director?

No one, just Woody.

Where do you make your things?

At my desk, in front of my computer.

What do you see yourself doing when you're 50 years old?

When I’m 50, I most likely will be knitting more so for pleasure then for a source of income. You know, sweaters and mittens for my children. I mean I hop so. Can you see me at 50 filling out Etsy orders -haha? I hope not. But one never knows, with the way the economy is going.

Your style is different, how do you describe your own style?

I'm happy you think so. Most women don’t usually pick up on it. My style is very much a reflection of the early eighties pop culture phenomena: the Claire Standish of Breakfast Club, the Janet Jackson of Control, the Beth Gallagher of Fatal Attraction, and the Mia Farrow of Hannah & Her Sisters. I feel that this was the greatest period of classic American style. Ralph Lauren had just released his Prairie line, the entire country would spend their Thursday nights together enjoying The Cosby Show; it was just this magical balance between adult innocence and childish vulgarity. The Nineties was the opening of the gates, but the eighties were like children cursing for the first time and then laughing about it. Sometimes when I think of where American culture is right now, it just fills me with deep sadness.

Do you plan out the clothing and styling for your photos shoot?

Yes, I do style myself.

Ever look at some old photos and have those "What was I thinking" moments?

Yes, it usually occurs ten minutes after leaving my home. I usually change my outfit around five times a day.

I know you don't do much advertising, people just seem to draw to you, your photo, your style. What's your reason for that?

I have very little business sense, but as of right now, we have been debating on where to advertise online. It’s very difficult because our market does not look at itself subjectively, instead they see things objectively.

Now that spring is here, and summer is rolling in soon, I see you do knit bags, what other things do you have in mind for hot weather?

Well Yokoo has some very special products coming out in the not too distant future. We have our line of exclusive cotton scarves that we just got back from the manufacturer, they’re absolutely gorgeous. We have some silk scarves and more of the knitted garments. We also have a huge project that we will announce in a few months as well.