This is a rebel, multidisciplinary space where branding, illustration, and tattooing coexist in harmony.
They may seem like distant worlds, but here, they’re deeply connected—each one feeding the other, expanding creative boundaries, and giving form to new visual identities.
These practices form a long, wandering journey, bound together in a seamless circle. None could exist alone; each is a reflection, a whisper, a continuation of the next. They rise and evolve together, endlessly inspiring, endlessly returning to one another.
Shirokuro is the creative identity of Valentina Zagaglia, where branding, illustration, and tattoo art meet. Rather than separating disciplines or shaping her work to fit different markets, Valentina embraces a unified, authentic approach to creativity—one that reflects who she is, without filters or compromises.
Welcome to the place where creative worlds collide and return home again.
Valentina began with tattooing, moved into illustration, then explored graphic design, and ultimately returned to tattooing—coming full circle, carrying with her everything she had gathered along the way.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
every mark is intentional. EVERY LINE HAS A WEIGHT.
EVERY SPACE HAS a purpose.
APPROACH
Shirokuro Studio creates space for meaning, working closely with those who want to express something real—whether through a brand, a story, or a mark on their skin.
Every project begins with the same principle: start with emptiness, then create with intention. Whether it’s a brand identity, an illustration, or a tattoo, we begin with space—listening carefully, stripping away the unnecessary, and letting ideas take shape.
Only then do we build, until the work becomes something real, powerful, and unmistakably yours.
FAQ
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One wild girl. Her name is Valentina Zagaglia and she's obsessed with creating visuals out of her savage mind. She thrives on creativity and she is constantly learning something new from digital to crafts from music to languages.
Graduated in 2016 at the London College of Communication in Design for Graphic Communication and 2007 at Scuola Internazionale di Comics, Rome in Illustration.
Heartquakes (still Valentina!!) tattoed for the very first time in 2002 and waited very long time, something like 20 years to improve skills in order to touch the skin again. That's the amount of respect that she gave to this craft. -
Branding, illustration, and tattoo artistry, though distinct, are interlinked through their roles in visual storytelling, identity, and personal expression. Here’s how these three areas connect:
Branding: Establishes the visual identity of a business or individual through logos, color schemes, typography, and overall design. It sets the tone and communicates the core message or values of the brand.
Illustration: Adds depth and personality to branding by visually interpreting and enhancing the brand’s message. Custom illustrations can bring a brand’s story to life with unique, engaging visuals.
Tattoos: Serves as a personal expression of identity or values. For individuals, tattoos can reflect personal connections to a theme or a topic or value as in branding and it’s a visual representation like illustrations. tattoos can become a physical manifestation of the person’s values or aesthetic creating an identity just like branding does.
All of them reflect an emotion and suggest a narrative, evoke a feeling and create an atmosphere and they all the same focus: to create an identity, to be memorable, unique and personal.
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This space is virtual and can work remotely from anywhere and adapt to your time and schedule.
Currently based in London more precisely Leyton but often fly to Italy (Fermo, Marche Region and Rome).
For tattoos you can find me at Portobello Tattoo and Piercings, the Blue tattoo in Hammersmith and I can book you in at Noka Tattoo in Hackney.In Italy I can tattoo you in Fermo and Rome but I can find guest spots near you!