We're back with our creative women series, and this week we're thrilled to feature Gillian Wilkins.
Australian born Gillian Wilkins is a creative director and stylist, based in Mallorca with her husband, photographer Alex Franco, and son Amadeus. Her international career includes time at British Vogue in London, Russh in Sydney, and freelance projects around the world.
This supremely talented (and super lovely) couple often collaborate together, creating beautiful images on film that have a dreamy, relaxed sensibility. It was an absolute pleasure to connect with Gillian and Alex while they were based in the Byron area last year to shoot the current Aestas AW 22 campaign.
Golden hour - shooting the Aestas AW 22 campaign in Byron, directed and styled by Gillian Wilkins and shot by Alex Franco.
Tell us about your professional journey - highlights, learnings, mentors.
My professional journey has been a fulfilling one where many creative doors have opened up in ways I could never have imagined. A lot of hard work and dedication paved the way and it has taught me a lot about resilience, commitment, process, trust and immense gratitude.
Highlights have been many… from my time working for British Vogue, my time as fashion director of Russh as well as Elle UK, my travels around the globe including some incredibly remote places I may not have gotten myself to personally, my work enabling me to live and work in NYC & London and collaborate with many dream teams.
Describe your creative process
Intuitive.
What are you working on right now, personally and professionally?
Right now I am on a temporary professional hiatus as we soon welcome the birth of our second child - its been a difficult pregnancy so I am surrendering a lot to this moment in time while also fully appreciating the last solo months with my son.
However, I consider the last 2 years as a period of departure, giving me a
chance to nurture and expand on my own personal & artistic practices and work on a new body of work.
Gillian and baby Amadeus at their home in Mallorca.
Favourite self care ritual/s to unwind?
Yoga, bush walk, swim in the sea, cook, paint, weave.
Favourite travel experience/s?
Indonesia by motorbike, Mexico road trip 2005 when the Yucatan was still raw and tourist free, an all girls road trip crossing California & Arizona by Winnebago.
The Philippines - coming back to my mothers roots and where I lived throughout my childhood.
Bali always nurtures my soul.
Australia - my forever home.
Exploring Central Australia last year with her husband, photographer Alex Franco, and their son Amadeus.
What makes you feel most alive?
The sea.
The sea.
What are you looking forward to?
Everyday.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
This free spirited Balearic life we are living and the way it nourishes my family everyday.
Insider home town tips?
Our home is Mallorca - escape the crowds, visit in the spring or late summer, get around by boat and explore remote calas.
Summer is our favourite season, what’s a song, taste and place that reminds you of summer?
Song:
Brian Eno - Spinning Away.
Taste: Fresh mediterranean olives & tomatoes.
Place:
Tramuntana.
Some words or a motto you live by?
Treat life as art, to bring all your energies to each encounter… what you do, the way you love someone, what you believe in, and all your dreams. Your smile, your personality, and the way you feel. Life is art.
Gillian wearing our Agnes Shirt in Khaki and Joni Pants in Forest Green Cord, captured by Alex Franco.