A Cool Creative Shares Their Passions & Inspiration
A Cool Creative Shares Their Passions & Inspiration
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A Cool Creative Shares Their Passions & Inspiration

Shiraz Kook is a London-based creative whose work moves between fashion, travel and sport. With a strong visual style and a focus on androgynous dressing, their content feels both considered and instinctive. Here, we spoke to Shiraz about their work, how they embrace creative freedom and what’s shaping their world right now.
By
Photography: @FreckFiles

I had a wonderfully adventurous upbringing, split between France and Bali – two places that couldn’t be more different, yet equally formative. France gave me an appreciation for elegance and tradition, while Bali taught me spontaneity and to have a deep connection to nature. 

I spent most of my time outdoors, doing everything from rhythmic gymnastics to skiing and tennis – sports that instilled a strong sense of discipline early on. My family travelled a lot, which opened my eyes to different cultures and sparked my love for visual storytelling – something that continues to shape my creative work today.

Saint Laurent film sparked my passion for creative direction. It was a piece by Nathalie Canguilhem and it was one of those rare moments that hits you deeply; I just knew I wanted to create work like that. I went on to study art direction at UAL, where I began developing my visual language through photography. 

Vintage editorials, iconic ad campaigns, film, conversations, even THE RHYTHM OF A CITY LIKE LONDON inspires me.

I took every freelance opportunity I could find, building a portfolio from scratch. Over time, I evolved from being behind the camera to crafting full narratives, and now, through my agency Kookbyshiraz, I bring those visions to life – from concept to execution.

My aesthetic sits somewhere between ethereal and surreal – there’s often a tension between softness and structure. I love placing refined fashion elements in wild, raw settings and playing with unexpected details. Natural light is key to my work; it adds an authenticity that studio set-ups can’t always match. It’s about capturing emotion and atmosphere in a way that feels cinematic and unfiltered.

Inspiration is everywhere. Vintage editorials, iconic ad campaigns, film, conversations, even the rhythm of a city like London inspires me – I also get a lot from my clients; those early creative exchanges often spark fresh ideas. I’m constantly moved by travel and nature – both have a way of shifting my perspective and unlocking something new. Nostalgia plays a part too – it brings emotional depth to the storytelling.

My work spans different disciplines and I enjoy merging them all. Everything starts with narrative – that’s the thread that ties everything together, whether I’m directing a fashion campaign or producing digital content. From there, I choose the right medium – film, stills, or short-form – to tell the story in the most powerful way. 

Each project is its own world. I love the challenge of adapting creatively while maintaining a strong point of view. For me, blending mediums isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about creating immersive brand experiences.

I approach storytelling through mixing visuals and fashion. It’s all in the details – the way a piece moves, the styling, the light, even the weather can shape a narrative. I love working with fashion because it can express character, emotion and energy without words. I try to build worlds that feel real yet slightly otherworldly – like you’ve stepped into a dream you didn’t know you had. Every shoot is about creating a sense of immersion and meaning in each frame.

Launching Kookbyshiraz has been my most fulfilling challenge. It’s pushed me in every direction – creatively, emotionally and logistically. But it’s also given me the freedom to build something that reflects my values and vision. Each new campaign is an opportunity to stretch creatively, and that’s exactly where I thrive.

Freedom, surrealism, and nature are all strong themes in my work. I love visual contrasts – high fashion in remote landscapes, softness against structure, intimacy in expansive settings. It’s a reflection of my own lifestyle, where movement and stillness, spontaneity and control, are always co-existing.

Each project is its own world. I love the challenge of ADAPTING CREATIVELY while maintaining a STRONG POINT OF VIEW.

@ShirazKook

Collaboration is crucial in my creative work. I look for collaborators who not only bring artistic vision but who also have that rare combination of creativity and reliability. Synergy is everything – working with people who challenge and inspire me but who also respect the rhythm and flow of a project. That kind of energy is what brings a concept to life.

I never let trends dictate my direction. I keep an eye on what’s happening – online, culturally, and within the industry. Trends are a tool, not the goal. I care more about longevity and emotional resonance than momentary buzz. Staying grounded in my own aesthetic has helped me maintain a consistent voice, while still allowing for evolution.

Fashion is a key part of my identity. It’s one of the ways I communicate who I am and how I see the world. It’s more than clothes – it’s storytelling, mood-setting and mood-shifting. I love how the industry is evolving towards more inclusive and conscious practices and I’m excited to be part of that shift.

I’m obsessed with Schiaparelli. The surrealist edge, the sculptural jewellery – it’s all wearable art. Arakii’s impactful minimalism also really speaks to me and I love the strength in J Phoenix’s corsetry. These brands all have a sense of drama and refinement that I’m constantly inspired by.

I always balance function and style in my wardrobe. I love skiing, horse riding, surfing – so function is non-negotiable. But I still want to feel stylish. It’s about layering well, choosing versatile pieces, and finding clever accessories or tailoring that elevate a practical base. I believe your wardrobe should work for your lifestyle, not the other way around.

A heli-skiing trip to Iceland was my most memorable travel experience – the sheer beauty of untouched snow, the silence and the adrenaline. It was creatively and spiritually recharging. That kind of environment reminds me how powerful nature is as both a backdrop and a creative force.

Physical movement unlocks my creativity – when I’m skiing or galloping across a beach, ideas start to flow more naturally. It’s like switching my brain to a different frequency where things connect more freely. Being present and in motion often leads to my most inspired concepts.

Horse riding is a new passion that’s had a surprising creative impact on me. There’s an unspoken connection between horse and rider that mirrors the kind of intuitive understanding I look for on set. Horses appear in a lot of my work now – they’re powerful, symbolic and beautifully unpredictable.

I’d love to see originality and craftsmanship valued more than algorithms and performance metrics. There’s a real tension right now between authentic creativity and content designed to chase clicks. I believe we need to re-centre creative vision – it should lead the way.

There’s a new campaign coming up that I’m so excited about. It combines remote locations, powerful fashion and movement-led storytelling. It brings together all my favourite elements – from surreal visuals to emotional depth. It feels like a culmination of everything I’ve built so far.

My advice to emerging creatives is to stay curious and consistent. Create even when no one’s watching and don’t wait for permission to start. The strongest work usually begins from a place of instinct and experimentation. Your perspective is your power – lean into it.

Follow @SHIRAZKOOK

Photography: @FRECKFILES

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.

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