Music
Style + Sound: Sophie Eggleton chats art and music with Grace Neutral
Fashion blogger Sophie Eggleton chats to ballerina-turned-tattoo artist, Grace Neutral about all things art, fashion and music…
Hand Poked Tattoo artist Grace Neutral has amassed an Instagram following of over nearly 280k, her creative talents and unique beauty fascinating people the world over. An inspiration to many, her personal style has become one fans wish to emulate. It made sense that she combined her artistic flair and innate style to create clothing. In her latest fashion venture she’s teamed up with Motel Rocks for one of their Designer Collective ranges. I wanted to find out more about the range, while discovering how music influences her life and work. Read the full interview:
First up, can you tell us a bit about your collection with Motel Rocks?
“I have been wearing Motel Rocks for years and know some of the girls well, and through tattooing one of Motel’s top girls we naturally came to the conclusion we should do a collab together. The design process was easy and very enjoyable. I hung out with the Motel Rocks girls and we went through all the different pieces Motel had to offer. When we had all the pieces we liked I designed a pattern to go on the garments.”
Music, art and fashion often collide. How important is music to your own creativity and the work you create?
“Music is a massive part of my life. I find it a really integral part of the designing process. I love how you can find any type of music to fit your mood or energy. Music is like a drug to me, I get hooked on things badly (my friends will tell you I drive them crazy with repeating the same song over and over. I love it and need it if I’m going to create anything, or just function for that matter. I have a really eclectic taste in music, I enjoy everything from Ravi Shankar’s Chants of India, to Trap, with a bit of Disney thrown in for good measure!”
Can you think of some artwork of yours that has been directly inspired by music?
“A lot of the patterns I draw come come from a deep well in my soul, and I don’t think I could of fully awaken my creative potential without the aid of music.”
How has your personal music taste evolved over the years, and what do you think are the cause of these changes?
“I think over the past 10 years my music taste has always gone in weird and wonderful directions, but I have always been able to appreciate all different genres of music. Maybe in the last couple years I have been getting more in to Trap, but I think that mainly stems from having friends in the music industry who make this music. I was able to get an inside look at these music creatives and I liked it!”
Motel Rocks
How much do you think musicians are influencing the tattoo community today?
“I think because musicians are creatives they are more susceptible to things like tattoos and body mods because of the freedom of expression involved in it. Also, they live a lifestyle where there not tied down by corporate dress codes so it’s only natural that a lot of musicians out there today want to embellish themselves in tattoos.”
When you were growing up were there any bands or artists that influenced your style more than others?
“Yeah of course, I loved Jessicka Addams from Jack Off Jill and Marilyn Manson as a teenage goth. So I wanted to create a look as a kid that embodied them both.”
Who are your current musical style icons?
“CocoRosie, Grimes and Bjork.”
If you could choose any musician to wear something from your Motel Rocks collection, who would it be? Did you have any in mind when designing?
“I didn’t have anyone in mind when I was designing the Motel line, but I do think Twigs would look amazing in some of the pieces.”
What is your album of 2015?
“Spooky Black – Leaving”
Like this interview? Find more from Sophie at sophieeggleton.blogspot.co.uk, @SophieEggletonand youtube.com/sophlet.
