Shillo Stories: Gabby Vincente

"Hey, I’m Gabby—South London born and bred, and now based in Surrey with my partner and our three crazy cats. I’ve spent most of my career in the creative industry as an art buyer and producer. After graduating from Shillington, I added some fresh design skills to my toolkit helping out a small creative business I was already involved with, plus handling all things branding and marketing for my partner’s cafe in South London. When I’m not working, I'll usually be catching up with friends, inhaling pasta, and sipping on Aperol spritzes no matter the season. And I’m always plotting my next getaway—because I love travelling and exploring new places."

I’ve been a fan of Kensuke Koike’s work for years. Watching him slice, trim, and reassemble old photographs into something completely wild and new is truly captivating. I love witnessing the craft and process behind each piece; it’s fascinating to see how they unfold, and I’m always surprised by the finished results. His work inspires me to see things from different angles and reminds me that rearranging visuals can create entirely new contexts and meanings. And his creativity motivates me to experiment with my own design projects, as I have a deep fondness for nostalgia and old photographs.

No matter your age or where you are in life, it’s never too late for a career change. I spent months debating whether to take the leap into a more creative role. While working alongside creatives, I secretly wanted to be one of them. Shillington gave me the push I needed, teaching me new skills that boosted my confidence and ignited my desire to do more.

Being surrounded by inspiring, like-minded people made a huge difference. I’m a massive over-thinker and often doubt my work, but taking that leap was the best decision I’ve ever made. Looking back, I’d say do it sooner—don’t wait! If you know you want to make a change, just go for it! And don’t forget to think back to what you loved doing as a kid; those joyful moments can really help you reconnect with your passions.

I recently designed a photo book in collaboration with renowned photographer Rebecca Naen, published by Darklight in support of Fight Forward. The book captures the journey of ten women in an intensive boxing training programme, culminating in a fight to raise awareness of domestic abuse. It features photographs from fight night, training scenes, and portraits of the participants.

Working on this photo book was a treasured experience—it was my first proper commission after graduating from Shillington and combining beautiful photography with a meaningful cause made it a dream project. From research to concepts, mood boards, and thumbnails, the process was incredibly fun, especially seeing the final outcome printed and bound. It was amazing to have something out in the world raising awareness for such an important cause.