by Elora

Vintage Spotlight: Lillian*Madison

Heya everyone, it’s TuPu (theurbanpinup) and today I’m doing a little takeover in order to introduce you to someone really remarkable. This awe-inspiring boss babe and her intricate, handcrafted pieces spark so much joy, so without further ado…

Please, introduce yourself <3

Hi! My name is Angelina Lillian and I’m the designer, maker, and owner of Lillian*Madison.

Designing and making brooches is such a unique craft, how did you get into it?

In 2015 I was searching for accessories to match an outfit. In my search for matching necklace and earrings I came across brooches, but could not find a brooch to match my outfit. Being a crafter I decided to try my hand at making it myself, and the rest is history.

A little birdie tells me you also cosplay here and there. You’re definitely a creative soul. What inspires your creativity and what influences your art?

I believe what inspires me is my childhood and nostalgic soul. I grew up on Disney movies and reading fairy tales so I love to cosplay my favorite characters and put my own spin on it. As for creating art, I always design characters that I imagine being from a storybook or cartoon. I am also inspired by nature, holidays, and subjects that can connect people of almost all walks of life. If you want to check out my cosplays, you can find me on Instagram at @princessangelinacosplay.

One of your recent releases was the “Falling Alice” brooch following an Alice in Wonderland theme. How do you come up with and decide on such adorable concepts?

I like to design characters inspired from my favorite movies and put my own spin on them. When I decide on a theme I sketch around eight different versions of an idea and narrow it down by examining if that design fits into the world that I am trying to create. My concepts also depend on the month or season. For example when the fall was approaching, I began designing Halloween theme brooches.

Are your brooches exclusive or do some past designs from your vault make a return?

My brooches are exclusive, as I make them by hand and not in large quantities. Once a design enters my vault, they are discontinued. On a rare occasion, a design may return but in a different colorway or design element.

Now, we know most artists are modest, but what do you personally love most about your work? Which is your favourite brooch?!

Oh my, I really do not have an answer for this. I think I love that I am able to create a design on paper and bring it to life in three-dimensional form. I also love that my brooches brings joy to people that wear them. My favorite brooch is a tie between “Falling Alice” and “Cinderella”.

 

Something special and appreciated about your brooches is the inclusion of varying skin tone options for your designs. As an artist and business woman, what is your personal experience creating art in a medium where those of colour are rarely represented? 

As a African American woman who loves brooches, there are not many pieces out there that represent me. I have no issue wearing a brooch that does not match my skin tone, but I felt that it is not fair to only have one skin tone available when people of all shades love brooches.

 

Your art is so enchanting, can we take a sneak – peek into your mind and ask what future dream goals do you have for Lillian Madison Designs?

I can’t spill any beans just yet, but something new and different is definitely coming.

All that you’ve built is truly inspirational! Do you have any advice for budding artists/ creatives just getting started?

I would suggest gathering all your ideas, look for inspiration in places you would not normally, and step out of your comfort zone. Practice sketching and research materials. If you are confused about something, YouTube definitely has a video for it.

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