Thomas Slater, an illustrator on bike

3 MN

Thomas Slater, an illustrator on bike

Thomas Slater’s drawings are rough, rudimental, almost naïve. The London-based illustrator happily takes us into his entertaining multi-coloured world to talk to us about his artistic process and his passion for bikes.

stage 7 sad american eagle

Hi Thomas! You’re now working as a freelance illustrator in London. Can you tell us about your journey prior to embarking on this solo adventure?

Prior to working as a freelance illustrator I tried my hand at whole host of jobs, all the while studying illustration at Camberwell College of the arts with a long list of incredible creative friends. Previous to that I studied art foundation and re learnt how to draw in the town of Nottingham Forest, under a brilliant tutor, Helen Merrin. Previous to that, I sold cheese and meats to  punters in a Delicatessan and thought I knew how to draw, while studying at the same school as Isaac Newton, but not quite at the same time.

Your illustrations have a very entertaining side to them, with their colours and simplicity. What do you use as inspiration?

Life on spaceship earth.

What are you trying to get across with your creations?

This varies from one piece of work to the other and very often, this decision is upto the person paying the invoice.

stage 16 nibali stuck behind car

London, and the United-Kingdom as a whole, have always been exciting creative places, whether it be with fashion music, the arts or literature. What artists left their mark on you when you were young, and now influence your work?

The first five that come to mind are David Hockney, Donald Byrd, Ryan Mcginley, Misaki Kawai and Tox. Only one of these comes from London.

You worked on the “Manual For Speed” project, which you renamed the “Tour Day France”. As we’re French, can you tell us about this experience, and what got you interested in this sporting event?

I have always had a bike and in the past few years this has transitioned from a mode of transport to a way of life. No sport has the same addictive balance between geography and human physical ability. The first race I took any time to watch was of course the Tour De France and I was hooked. Manual for speed and I wanted to add something unsaid to the traditional race coverage. Looking for funny scenarios and delving a bit deeper into the footage than the usual ‘who won what’ race reportage we created a dialogue with the viewer unlike any other and possibly my most rewarding and difficult project to date.

We noticed that you’ve collaborated with big English textile and clothing labels. What’s different about working with OLOW?

You guys just gave me total control which was a refreshing change.

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During one of your interviews you stated that Man’s greatest invention was the bicycle. As well as your “Tour Day France” project, we see a lot of two-wheelers in your drawings. Notably with your SPRINT t-shirt you created for our 2016 Spring-Summer collection, “Roues Libres”, which, as its name suggests, has a bike theme. What do you find so fascinating about this means of transport?

I find the bike second only to the skateboard as a means of transport. The lack of creativity is made up for by the never ending list of places that you can travel. Trying to stick with a stronger rider up a long upward grade is the perfect way to take your head for a shit.

We’re lucky to be in possession of two of this season’s shirts you illustrated. Could we say the guy with the green shirt on our CHEERS t-shirt looks a little bit like you?

I have always thought of myself as a bit of an ‘FA CUP,’ (big ears) yes!

What are your projects for the future?

Aiming to put together an exhibition of paintings with my brother lawrence in 2016 and keep working on an every widening array of commercial jobs.

A big thank to Thomas for his answers.

You can follow his work on his website and on Instagram.

Our tee-shirts SPRINT and CHEERS are available in our retail shops and on our e-shop:

sprint beige chiné sprint heather grey cheers white cheers heather grey

– M.P

Interview réalisée par Valentin Porcher
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Returns are free from France thanks to our prepaid label.

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Free delivery for orders over 120€

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For the festive season, the deadlines are extended to 30 days.

The items must not have been worn, washed or damaged and must be returned in their original packaging, in perfect condition for resale.

How do I return my package from France?

Return shipping from France is free via Mondial Relay.

To return your parcel, it is very simple :

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  3. If your order is eligible for return, please tick each product you wish to return. If a product has been ordered in several copies, you can indicate the quantity to be returned.

  4. Indicate the reason for the return at the bottom of the order details and click on “Request a return”. You can track your return request in the “Returns” section of the “My purchases” section.

  5. Once your return request has been validated by our team, all you have to do is stick your pre-paid label (provided at the time of delivery) on the package, insert the completed returns form in the parcel and drop it off at a Mondial Relay point.

How can I return my package (International online returns)

International return packages are at the customer’s expense (including cost of shipment by the chosen carrier, customs & duties, taxes, etc.)

To return your parcel, it is very simple :

  1. Go to “My account”, in the “My purchases” section,

  2. In the list of your orders, select your order,

  3. If your order is eligible for return, please tick each product you wish to return. If a product has been ordered in several copies, you can indicate the quantity to be returned.

  4. Indicate the reason for the return at the bottom of the order details and click on “Request a return”. You can track your return request in the “Returns” section of the “My purchases” section.

  5. Once your return request has been validated by our team, simply download the return form and place it in your package. 

  6. Send your package to the address indicated on the return form.

Want to make a return request with a guest account?

It's very easy : contact us by email at service-client@olow.fr indicating your order number, the items you wish to return and whether you wish to request a refund, a credit note or an exchange.

How long does it take to get my money back once my package has been sent?

Refunds will be made within 10 days of receipt of your items and automatically to the account associated with the credit card used for payment or to the Paypal account used for payment.

Is it possible to return my item in the shop?

No, for all internet orders, returns can only be made to the address mentioned above.

What can I do if my item has a defect?

We take great care in the manufacture and finishing of our products. However, if you wish to report a manufacturing defect on a product, we invite you to contact our customer service by e-mail: service-client@olow.fr.

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How to order?

Please follow the following instructions in order to submit an Order:

  1. Visit the Website;

  2. Follow the instructions on the Website to place your orders and especially the instructions given to create a Customer account;

  3. Fulfil the Ordering form. After extended inactivity you may encounter an automatic cancellation of the Goods you submitted. You shall start a new Order of any Good and Service you wished to order;

  4. You shall check the Goods and Services you Order, and if necessary, please identify and correct the error;

  5. Confirm the Order, the Total Price as well as the All-Inclusive Price (the “Order Confirmation”);

  6. Follow the payment Website instructions in order to pay the All-Inclusive Price.

After you have submitted an order, the Customer receives by email and without delay a confirmation of his approval of the Order.

The Customer also receives by email and without delay, a receipt of the order sent electronically, regarding as a confirmation of the order (“Order Confirmation”).

The Customer receives electronically, the confirmation that the Goods have been dispatched.

The delivery shall take place at the location indicated by the Customer at the time of the Order.

Additionally, by undertaking these different steps to Order, the Customer accepts to strictly comply with this Agreement, in accordance with section 1316-1 of the French Civil Code.

The Vendor undertakes to deliver the Goods and Services subject of the Order Confirmation. In the event that a Good ordered is unavailable, the Vendor will promptly inform the Customer about this.

However, under section L.122-1 of the French Consumer Code, the Vendor reserves the right to cancel your Order if the Order is abnormal, involves bad faith or for any other reason that is under the sole discretion of the Vendor. The Vendor also reserves the right to reject orders from any customer with whom the Vendor have an ongoing legal dispute regarding a prior order.

Free delivery and exchange offered

For orders over €120, delivery is free.

Returns are free from France thanks to our prepaid label.

Prices and delivery times

Shipping cost

Collection points: €5

Home delivery with signature: 7.5€

Free delivery for orders over 120€

Delivery time

2-4 working days

Allemagne, Autriche, Belgique, Bulgarie, Chypre, Danemark, Espagne, Finlande, Grèce, Hongrie, Italie, Malte, Pays-Bas, Pologne, Portugal, République Tchèque, Suède, Ukraine

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €9.5

Free delivery for orders over 120€.

Delivery time

4-7 working days

Andorre, Biélorussie, Croatie, Islande, Monaco, Norvège, Royaume-Uni, Russie, Suisse, Turquie

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €9.5

Free delivery for orders over €120

Delivery time

5-8 working days

Bahamas, Canada, États-Unis, Mexique

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €15

Free delivery for orders over €120.

Delivery time

5-9 working days

Argentine, Brésil, Chili

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €27

Free delivery for orders over €120.

Delivery time

6-9 working days

Arabie Saoudite, Bahreïn, Chine, Corée du Sud, Émirats Arabes Unis, Hong-Kong, Indonésie, Israël, Japon, Malaisie, Qatar, Singapour, Taiwan

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €24

Free delivery for orders over €120.

Delivery time

4-7 working days

Australie, Nouvelle-Zélande

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €27

Free delivery on orders over €120.

Delivery time

6-10 working days

Returns

You have received your order but the product does not suit you?

You can return your products within 15 days of receiving your package, for any order.

For the festive season, the deadlines are extended to 30 days.

The items must not have been worn, washed or damaged and must be returned in their original packaging, in perfect condition for resale.

How do I return my package from France?

Return shipping from France is free via Mondial Relay.

To return your parcel, it is very simple :

  1. Go to “My account”, in the “My purchases” section,

  2. In the list of your orders, select your order,

  3. If your order is eligible for return, please tick each product you wish to return. If a product has been ordered in several copies, you can indicate the quantity to be returned.

  4. Indicate the reason for the return at the bottom of the order details and click on “Request a return”. You can track your return request in the “Returns” section of the “My purchases” section.

  5. Once your return request has been validated by our team, all you have to do is stick your pre-paid label (provided at the time of delivery) on the package, insert the completed returns form in the parcel and drop it off at a Mondial Relay point.

How can I return my package (International online returns)

International return packages are at the customer’s expense (including cost of shipment by the chosen carrier, customs & duties, taxes, etc.)

To return your parcel, it is very simple :

  1. Go to “My account”, in the “My purchases” section,

  2. In the list of your orders, select your order,

  3. If your order is eligible for return, please tick each product you wish to return. If a product has been ordered in several copies, you can indicate the quantity to be returned.

  4. Indicate the reason for the return at the bottom of the order details and click on “Request a return”. You can track your return request in the “Returns” section of the “My purchases” section.

  5. Once your return request has been validated by our team, simply download the return form and place it in your package. 

  6. Send your package to the address indicated on the return form.

Want to make a return request with a guest account?

It's very easy : contact us by email at service-client@olow.fr indicating your order number, the items you wish to return and whether you wish to request a refund, a credit note or an exchange.

How long does it take to get my money back once my package has been sent?

Refunds will be made within 10 days of receipt of your items and automatically to the account associated with the credit card used for payment or to the Paypal account used for payment.

Is it possible to return my item in the shop?

No, for all internet orders, returns can only be made to the address mentioned above.

What can I do if my item has a defect?

We take great care in the manufacture and finishing of our products. However, if you wish to report a manufacturing defect on a product, we invite you to contact our customer service by e-mail: service-client@olow.fr.

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