Custom Sketch for Heather & Terry Dubrow's Book

Being a fan of nearly all things Bravo I was excited to be asked to illustrate Heather and Terry Dubrow for their book Dr. & Mrs. Guinea Pig Present The Only Guide You'll Ever Need to the Best Anit-Aging Treatments. I previously worked closely with the publisher on a fashion illustration style guide for another book so when the idea of doing an illustration in the Dubrows came up they thought of me. When I initially sent the sketch Heather and Terry loved it and almost immediately Instagrammed it, (they asked permission first) which was wonderful! But it was still not 100% the illustration would make it into the book. Months later I was backstage at Watch What Happens Live with my cousin who was a guest on the show, when Andy Cohen mentioned the following nights guest would be Terry Dubrow. I went home and emailed the publisher to see if my sketch made it in after all. It had been months and I had forgotten about it, but to my delight she told me it was! They used it as the image on the books title page.

They kindly sent me an advance copy and we even attempted to meet up when they were in New York on their book tour but couldn't get it to work out with their crazy schedule and being crazed with New York fashion week events. The Dubrow's book is insightful and fun and I'm thrilled to have my artwork in it. (Fun fact for you: its actually my 18th book! Which happens to be a very lucky number in my religion. Too bad for me, this one was without royalties. Ha.)

Similar posts to check out featuring books including my illustrations: 

• New Illustrated Books | Chloe by Design Vol. 3
• Style Guide by Author Lawrence Zarian and Illustrator Brooke Hagel
• Fashion Illustration Books by Brooke Hagel

New Illustrated Books | Chloe by Design Vol.3

This past Labor Day weekend marked another "published day" for me with the release of the third volume in the young adult series Chloe by Design, Measuring Up! In this volume Chloe is visiting and applying to colleges and with that comes portfolio prep and college application art tests. My illustrations throughout this young adult series represent the main character Chloe's sketches. Being I myself was a fashion design student, having applied and attended New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, I also consulted on the story outline in the development phase of these books, speaking with the writer Margaret Gurevich, as well as the editor and publishers about my application experiences, art tests and the overall college search for a young student interested in fashion design. I even tutored high school students and helped them prepare their portfolios and fashion art tests for college applications and interviews before I became a full time fashion illustrator!

Chloe by Design Measuring Up is the "bind up" book, as the publisher calls it,  containing four books of volume three of the series. But as with the previous volumes the publisher has also printed four smaller books for the school library market. Books 9-12 of the Chloe by Design series are: Back to Basics, Made to Measure, All or Nothing and The Final Cut. I have to admit its exciting to have the books come out and see my sketches on multiple covers. The cute curly haired girl in the yellow jumpsuit on the cover of Made to Measure (shown above) and the redheaded sassy girl in a floral body con dress on the cover of The Final Cut are my two favorite cover girls.  

In this third volume of the series I incorporated many ethnicities as well as tried to illustrate many different fabrications, patterns, and design styles. Another fun fact and personal twist is since the author follows me on Instagram and has has seen the "visual packing lists" I often draw for myself when I travel she incorporated them into the books and made Chloe do the same thing! The image below is one of Chloe's casual-chic "airport looks." 

Volume 3 was released about 10 days ago and I've already heard glowing feedback from avid Chloe by Design readers in person and through my social media platforms! It's truly so touching to have my work resonate with young girls and feel their enthusiasm for this series I've spent so much time sketching. As of now I'm told this is the final volume, but you never know. As I've been told that before! 

Since the bind up and library market books can be very confusing I'm listing the books here clearly for you with links to Amazon to purchase. First up are the bigger hardcover "bind up" books of the three Chloe by Design volumes: 

Volume 1 - Making the Cut

Volume 2 - Balancing Act

Volume 3 - Measuring Up

Here are the smaller hardcover "library edition" books: 

Book 1 - Design Diva

Book 2 - The First Cut

Book 3 - Unraveling

Book 4 - Design Destiny 

Book 5 - Intern Ambition 

Book 6 - Design Disaster 

Book 7 - Runway Rundown

Book 8 - Fashion Week Finale

Book 9 - Back to Basics

Book 10 - Made to Measure

Book 11 - All or Nothing

Book 12 - The Final Cut

Similar posts about the books you may have missed: 

• Book Trailer: Chloe by Design
• Illustrated Book Covers: Chloe by Design Volume 2
• Book Signing Chloe by Design Balancing Act
• New Illustrated Books

Illustrated Book Covers: Chloe by Design Volume 2

I'm so excited my latest illustrated books, Chloe by Design Volume 2 are almost here! I've illustrated not only one, but four, new books in the Chloe by Design series and they're all currently available for pre-order! These books are available as single bound copy Chloe by Design: Balancing Act or broken down into four individual library bound hardcover editions: Intern Ambition, Design Disaster, Runway Rundown and Fashion Week Finale. As a sneak peek today I'm sharing a few of the cover designs, their base pencil sketches and a glimpse at them as they were illustrated works-in-progress done in pencil, marker, gouache and ink.

In this latest volume Chloe won the Design Diva tv competition and is now immersed in the world of a fictitious famous fashion designer as a design intern. She's assisting building his collection to show at New York Fashion Week. The theme of the collection is 1920s art-deco, so many of my illustrations throughout the books are bold geometric patterns and metallic motifs. I've always loved art-deco designs, so rendering many of these patterns and painting the intricate beaded embellishments they required was a joy.

My favorite illustration of the all covers turned out to be the menswear look (much to my surprise!) atop this post, adorning Runway Rundown. In close second was Balancing Act with its golden ballgown with beaded bodice and Intern Ambition's sequined deco cigarette pants. I tried to make each girl a different ethnicity and have a different personality to appeal to a wide audience but maintain a cohesive overall look. Chloe by Design volume two's release date is September 1st but you can pre-order your copies now. Be sure and follow me along on Instagram (@brooklit) too, as I plan to share peeks are the interior sketches throughout the next few weeks.

Book Signing | Chloe by Design Balancing Act

For the second consecutive year I'm heading to Book Expo America for a book signing of my latest illustrated book in the Chloe by Design series, Balancing Act. Free advance copies of the book will be given out and I along with author Margaret Gurevich, will be meeting, greeting and signing. Last years signing was a huge success and even landed me a little feature in Publishers Weekly! Hopefully this years will be just as fabulous if not better. Here are all the details, if you're in New York I hope to see you there:  

 Jacob Javits Center 

655 W 34th Street NY, NY 10001

Book Expo America, Capstone booth #2929

Saturday, May 30th, 2015 

2:00pm-3:00pm

Chloe by Design Balancing Act is available for pre-order now on Amazon. Leading up to its release later this summer I'll be sharing sneak peeks of pages my "Chloe" fashion illustrations, so stay tuned! 

Similar posts that may interest you: 

• My New Illustrated Books | Chloe by Design
• Fashion Illustrator Book Signing 
• Book Giveaway! Style Guide Signed by Lawrence Zarian & Brooke Hagel

Fabulous Doodles Inspiration No.3, Audrey Schilt

Today for Ralph Lauren's birthday I'd like to spotlight one of my favorite illustrators and designers, Audrey Schilt. For 22 years Audrey worked [and sketched] alongside Ralph Lauren eventually becoming Creative Director of Collection. I've been a longtime admirer of her work and after featuring her here on Fabulous Doodles a few times I'm happy to say that we've become online pals. Her gorgeous sketches continually inspire me to loosen up, play with figure positions, draping, light and shadows. If you're not familiar with her work I strongly suggest you click over to her site and check out this post from my archives of Audrey's Fashion Institute of Technology retrospective nearly 5 years ago!

(Illustration by Audrey Schilt for Ralph Lauren Collection)

Plus, few related posts you may have missed:

• Fabulous Doodles Inspiration No. 1: Renaldo Barnette 
• Fabulous Doodles Inspiration No. 2: Gladys Perint Palmer 
• Illustrating Fashion Concept to Creation

My New Illustrated Books are Now Available

I am so excited to share with you the new book series I illustrated, Chloe by Design, is now available! The books come either as one bound hardcover copy Chloe by Design: Making the Cut or as four individual parts (as shown above) Design Diva, The First Cut, Unraveling and Design Destiny. They tell the story of a 16-year-old fashion loving girl Chloe, who auditions for the teen version of her favorite fashion design reality competition show. My illustrations, thumbnail sketches, handwritten notes and photos throughout the books act as her sketchbook and designs throughout the rigorous competition.

To kick off the book release Capstone is offering Fabulous Doodles readers 30% off Chloe by Design: Making the Cut, with promo code HAGEL30. For a little more about what awaits inside Chloe by Design watch amazing book trailer! (I'm still loving this and it came out over 6 months ago!)

Working with the team from Capstone Publishing again was wonderful, especially the designer of the books, Alison Thiele and of course author Margaret Gurevich. I'm really proud of how these books turned out, and confident they would've been right up my alley back in Jr. High. I'm also thrilled to announce that I'm about to start sketching more Chloe designs because the series has been extended and we now have 4 more books in the works!

For more on these books as well as the other books I've illustrated and/or contributed to check out my Amazon shop.

Fashion Illustrator Book Signing Success

Over the years I've illustrated many books but last week I had my very first book signing for Chloe by Design, Making the Cut and it was fantastic! I was surprised to find upon arriving that there was already a long line. Being BookExpo America, most of the attendees were teachers, librarians, publishers and students but there were also a bunch of Fabulous Doodles readers. It was so nice to chat with people from across the country about their students and family members who were aspiring designers and fashion illustrators whom they were looking forward to sharing the book with.

With all the signing excitement I neglected to make sure I had photos so when I got home I illustrated a little memento of the event, sketching out what I wore, as shown above. I'm always sketching other peoples big life moments (client and friends weddings, graduations, bat-mitzvahs, etc.) so its nice every once in a blue to draw my own.

A few days after the signing a fun surprise came when Chloe by Design publisher, Capstone sent me a link to Publishers Weekly where a photo of me and with adorable "fans" was featured in photographic highlights from the expo. Press is always exciting but friends in publishing have informed me that PW is the holy grail and this is big!

All in all my book signing was wonderful and hopefully the first of many more to come. Chloe by Design: Making the Cut is now available for pre-order on Amazon.

Chloe by Design Book Signing

Tomorrow I will be at BookExpo America signing advance copies of the latest book I illustrated Chloe by Design, Making the Cut, and you're invited. Come by to say hello and get a complimentary advance copy of the book signed by me:

When: Sat. May 31st
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 AM
Place: BookExpo America at Jacob Javits Center
             655 W 34th St. New York, NY 10001
Booth: 1469

Chloe by Design, Making the Cut is the first of a four book young adult series. If you're interested in knowing more about it, check out the incredible book trailer that Capstone Publishing put out anticipating its release. And if you can't make it to New York for the signing, the book is currently available on Amazon for pre-order, due to be released August 1st. Hope to see you there!

Fabulous Doodles Inspiration No.2, Gladys Perint Palmer

For my second feature in the Fabulous Doodles Inspiration series, I'm spotlighting fashion illustrator Gladys Perint Palmer who depicts high fashion inspired illustrations that are often loose and whimsical. The illustration shown here is Jennifer Lawrence's 2013 Oscar winning look, a Raf Simons' for Christian Dior from spring 2013. I love this dress, and I love her stylized take on it! (I actually sketched this gown too, for Quest Magazine a few weeks prior to the Oscars but since Jennifer made it instantly iconic the sketch was pulled from the final spread and never published.) I find Gladys Perint Palmers fashion illustrations to be fun and inspiring and I'm sure you will too. You can take a look at more of her work here. 

On a personal note, years ago I spent a couple of weeks studying fashion illustration with Ms. Palmer at the Academy of Art College (now its "University") of San Francisco in their high school summer program back in 1997. It was a great experience and I remember Ms. Palmer's stories of jaunts to the couture shows and runway sketching. I've followed her work for years but it wasn't until this February, at New York Fashion Week that I saw her again. I reintroduced myself, and what we both remembered well about that summer was sadly it was the summer Gianni Versace was killed. Ms. Palmer, being a friend and colleague of Versace and having illustrated all his homes, was understandably very upset and cancelled classes. 

(Illustration: ©GladysPerintPalmer 2013) 

A Fashion Illustration Hello to 2014!

I want to extend a fabulous and fancy hello to 2014 and wish everyone a beautiful and inspired new year! Thank you 2013 for the lessons because now I'm ready to take on 2014!

This gorgeous fashion illustration is not one of my own, its by illustrator David Downton and adorns the cover of 100 Years of Fashion Illustration which I just so happen to receive as a gift from a dear friend two days ago and I'm obsessed! The book is full of stunning inspiration from iconic fashion illustrators including Downton, René Gruau, Mats Gustafson, Ruben Toledo and even my former professors Steven Stipelman and Gladys Perint Palmer! I've only perused the book so far but this weekend I plan to dive in and soak it all up because this one's a treasure. (Thank you Jamie!!!) Its so important to stay inspired both in life and work and I hope this year I can inspire some of you here on Fabulous Doodles.

(©DavidDownton 100 Years print, and 100 Years of Fashion Illustration book by Cally Beakman)

Giveaway! {Fashion Illustration Books}

I have two exciting Fabulous Doodles giveaways! Enter to win one of the fashion illustration books I recently worked on: Girly Girl Style and Harajuku Style, both illustrated by moi, Brooke Hagel. I posted about both books a few weeks ago when they were first released, sharing peeks inside as well as little descriptions and insights, which you can check out here.

Two winners will be chosen, one for each book. To enter simply click on the link below and follow the instructions. Easy peasy! You can enter multiple ways to earn more entries, so make sure to enter your email, tweet and give a Facebook like. The winners will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Costume Design: The Academy Collection

(Marilyn Monroe by Dorothy Jeakins) 

If you tuned into last night's Academy Awards arrivals you probably spotted the large costume sketches along the entire red carpet. Many were iconic sketches by legendary costume designer Edith Head but others were not as recognizable. I quickly jumped onto the Oscars website and found a bunch of costume designers sketches featured from the Oscar's official "Academy Collection." The sketch shown above is from the 1960 film Let's Make Love, which was Marilyn Monroe's second-to-last film.

(Liza Minnelli by Theadora Van Runkle) 

I'm always impressed by how well costume designers can truly capture characters features and personalities in their costume illustrations, its something I try to achieve with my custom bridal illustrations. This next costume sketch (above) is a example of that. Its of Liza Minnelli playing the part of Francine Evans in Martin Scorsese's 1977 musical New York, New York.

(Elizabeth Taylor by Helen Rose) 

This last costume design sketch just may be my favorite. The pose, the gown, and the overall rendering is simply beautiful. This classic old Hollywood illustration is of Elizabeth Taylor by costume designer Helen Rose for the 1954 MGM film Rhapsody. The rendering of the draping on this gown is stunning.

(All illustrations from The Academy Collection. Check out more costume sketches from the Academy Collection here.)

Fashion Illustration Books {Brooke Hagel}

I'd like to share the first two fashion illustration books I've illustrated! They are part of a new instructional series by Capstone Publishing called "Fun Fashions You Can Sketch" and as of February 1st they're out and available on Amazon for purchase.

Harajuku Style: Fun Fashions You Can Sketch, showcases Tokyo's Harajuku culture and style. Sketching and learning about Harajuku girls and their style was something completely new for me. Harajuku girls are all about themeing out an outfit and piling on layers and accessories to complete a look from head to toe. They made for some really fun illustrations including Mixed Traditions (shown above) my favorite illustration of them all, Take it to the Street, and Tokyo Punk, amoung others.

The second book, Girly Girl Style: Fun Fashions You Can Sketch, showcases ultra girly and feminine designs. Similar to the Harajuku book, I was given precise outfit design direction for each look, such as On the Runway, Crocheted Cutie, Style at Sea and Radiant Romper (all shown above) and drew detailed illustrations building a sketch from a loose gesture drawing to polished final illustration.

As I was only hired to illustrate these books and not write or consult as to how to actually build a illustration, I do have a difference of opinion regarding how to render some fabrics and build an illustration. In actuality I don't really draw this way, with this many steps and layers, however these books are for beginners, focused primarily towards tweens, so the illustrations are broken down and made clear. They are fun little books and would make a great gift for any fashion loving tween. The books are being marketed to school libraries, however they're also available on Amazon.

It has been a interesting experience illustrating my first two books. Like many projects it was really a learning process, with ups and downs along the way. Deciding how I wanted my name to appear in the Library of Congress was pretty cool and debating some of the design direction was a challenge, but I'm excited they're out there now. I hope kids enjoy them and hopefully they're the first of many more books throughout my career. Check back next week for a giveaway and your chance to win one!

Vintage Vogue Fashion Illustration Covers

(June 1935 by Jean Pages, Dec. 1945 by Carl "Eric" Erickson) 

Today I'm spotlighting some of my favorite vintage Vogue covers featuring fashion illustrations in anticipation of a party I'll be live-illustrating at tonight hosted by Vogue Magazine! I'm so thrilled to be working with Vogue, a magazine with such a long history of supporting fashion illustration.

(Clockwise from top left: Feb. 1935 by Eric, Nov. 1939 by Eric, June 1931 by artist unknown, and Oct. 1948 by Eric) 

The majority of the covers shown here are by fashion illustrator Carl Erickson, who was known as and signed his drawings and paintings as Eric. Other notable fashion illustrators who were commissioned by Vogue include Rene Bouche, Cecil Beaton, Andy Warhol (whom I featured here before with his work for Harpers Bazaar), Jean Pages, Erte and Antonio Lopez.

(Clockwise from top left: Sept. 1953 by Rene Bouche, July 1935 by Cecil Beaton, and Aug. 1912 artist unknown) 

I know models and in more recent years celebrities have become the norm to adorn the covers of Vogue but I have to say that although I may a little bias, I absolutely adore these vintage fashion illustration covers and wish they'd make a comeback.

Wish me luck and stay tuned for my sketches from tonight's Vogue event!

Fashion Illustration Exhibition at BPL

(Illustration copyright Anja Kroencke)

I was recently contacted by The Brooklyn Public Library about an exciting exhibition opening there next week called Fashion Illustration: A Contemporary Look. They will be showing many of todays top fashion illustrators as well as a retrospective of the work of iconic illustrator Antonio Lopez.

(Illustration copyright Anja Kroencke)

In addition to the visual display, the Brooklyn Public Library will have a slew of fashion illustration events including discussion panels, a fashion film series (with a screening of Valentino: The Last Emperor, one of my all time favorite fashion films which I reviewed here on Fabulous Doodles years ago,) and fashion illustration classes and talks lined up throughout the fall.

(Illustration copyright Izak)

Shown here are just a few of the illustrations on display in the exhibit. The opening reception of Fashion Illustration: A Contemporary Look is next week, Sept 6th (also Fashion's Night Out and starting day of New York Fashion Week) and will run until December 1st. I'm looking forward a little trip to Brooklyn to check out this exhibit and thought you would too. Let me know if you go and what the highlights were for you. Click here for a complete schedule of events.

(All artwork copyright the artist shown are on display at the Brooklyn Public Library) 

Mad Men Fashion Illustration Portraits

How stunning are these David Downton illustrations inspired by Mad Men characters? I'm so in love with them that even though they're not my own I had to share them and their fabulousness here on Fabulous Doodles. Mad Men has been one of my favorite television shows since its premiere episode. In addition to the allure of the main characters, such as Don Draper, Joan Harris and Roger Sterling, the costumes are always a sight to see and in my opinion costume designer Janie Bryant is a genius. (Who also happens to have one of my dream jobs!)

It always amazes me when an artist, like Downton who works in a very stylized way can really a capture a person, feeling or mood without being overly literal. His illustration of Roger Sterling played by John Slattery (whom I actually spent a day working with when I was a wardrobe intern for Sex and the City!) in particular is so dead on in looks and attitude, it truly amazes me.

In the not so distant future I'm hoping to feature some more Mad Men illustrations, both by costume designer Janie Bryant (fingers crossed) and myself. (I'm thinking a "Women of Mad Men" series could be a fabulous addition to my print shop. What do you think?) In the mean time I'll certainly enjoy these three fabulous Downton Mad Men sketches.

(Illustrations by David Downton)

W Happenings

Like most New Yorkers, I typically steer clear of Times Square but last week I headed there for a breakfast with fellow fashion and style bloggers (which I'll tell you more about in a future post.) While mingling and handing out my business cards someone told me about a fashion illustration exhibit just across the street in the Living Room of the W Hotel.

"W Happenings Presents Drawing Inspiration: Ladies of the Night" is fabulous series of fashion illustration paintings featuring faculty and students of the Fashion Institute of Technology. (Which just so happens to be my alma mater.)

The first piece I spotted I immeadiately identified as the work of Steven Stipelman, who I've featured here a few times. (Here and here) Stipelman works in a distinctive painterly style and his fashion illustrations ooze elegant sophistication.

In addition to Stipelman, there were many other fashion illustrators exhibited. I absolutely fell in love with the drippy technique and style of the first two pieces shown at the top of this post by Meagan Morrison.

Drawing Inspiration: Ladies of the Night will remain on display through May 3, 2011. I highly suggest stopping by, maybe even grab a drink at the bar and soak up the fashion illustration fabulousness.

Chic Cape Illustrations

A chill has officially hit the New York air and its given me the itch to find the perfect fall cape. I was hopping around online, searching my go-to online stores for the right one for me. After an hour or so I decided to give it a rest and catch up on some of my favorite blogs. . .So what do I see on the very first blog I click on, Garance Dore, but this uber charming and chic capped sketch! I've gushed over Garance in the past (here), but I felt like I had to share this story with you and repost her capped sketch along with one of mine. I love it when things like this happen!

Nearly two years ago after a trip to Iceland, inspired by all the caped Icelandic girls I spotted, I drew Dylan here. She's been up in my Etsy shop for a while, and is one of my personal favorites. (She was also the illustration I chose for my very first Fabulous Doodles post.)

Inside the Sketchbook: Club Monaco

I happen to live a few blocks away from a Club Monaco store that I pass by multiple times everyday. The window displays and merchandising are always superb but this week they literally stopped me in my tracks. The entire window consists of fashion illustrations that look like they're ripped right from a designers sketchbook! The first time I walked by was evening and the store was closed so I had to settle for taking some pictures and letting my mind wander; are they student work, are they the interns, or are they from the Club Monaco design team?

Well I went back during store hours, spoke with the manager, and after she did a little research she called me with the answer! All the illustrations are by one woman: Caroline Belhumeur, Club Monaco's Vice President of Women's Design Apparel and Accessories.

I adore Caroline's technique and the way she uses simple contouring without loosing any design details. I also love that the croquis are so well-styled and complete with glasses, handbags, and even jewelry. The original illustrations can be seen in the 57th street store and all the other stores display copies. I absolutely love this concept for store displays. You get to see how the designer intended for the clothing to look, get styling ideas, and see the fabulous fashion illustrations that started it all.

These sketches inspire me to pick up my sketchbook and a pencil and let the idea's flow. Lately my sketches are solely for clients and have a distinct direction, such as a "profile of a bride." Its hard sometimes to make time for sketching for the sake of sketching.

Thank you Shannon, for using your investigation skills and helping me out!

Summer Chic

Since summer is officially half way through and there's only one month left to soak up the sun while sporting your tunics, sandals, and ridiculously huge, yet totally chic, large brim hats, I thought it was a great time to share some more illustrations from the talented Audrey Schilt.

These designs are for the Ralph Lauren Cruise Collection of 2004. Audrey described this collection by writing "I could have fun being creative with ideas that were more about the surf and sand. Beading with a shell inspiration, or coral motif. Swimsuits, coverups, easy soft suiting, sarong inspired dresses for both day and evening!

"The sketches have an airy lightness with lots of movement. Cruise is the time of year people travel to warmer climates...they want cloths that travel easily and are free feeling...not restricting. I always tried to make the sketches reflect the freshness of the season."

The illustrations shown here were all part of her exhibit at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. I previously featured her work on Fabulous Doodles here, here and here.