Whitney Houston

"It's amazing how people we've never met can touch our lives so much, how their work can become bookmarks for definitive moments in our lives and how we can truly love them from afar." My friend, designer Aaron Potts posted this a few days ago on Facebook in reference to the death of Whitney Houston and I couldn't agree more.

Today Whitney Houston is being laid to rest and I can't begin to explain how devastatingly sad I am. Whitney's The Greatest Love Of All was my very first cassette, The Bodyguard was my first CD, and for my college application to FIT I designed a concert wardrobe for her as my fashion design art test.

I would have loved to share my Whitney sketches with you, however they are packed away in storage with the rest of my college work, so better yet I'm sharing the work of my friend, Aaron Potts. Aaron, in collaboration with Kaufman Franco, sketched many gowns for Whitney that she and her stylists then chose from.

Whitney, I will always love you.

Barbie at New York Fashion Week

This weekend I had a major highlight in my fashion illustration career, I was commissioned by the one and only Barbie to create sketches for "Barbie: The Dream Closet" at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week! If that's not a dream job as an illustrator, I don't know what is. Being approached by of those powerhouses alone would have been a thrill, but both Barbie and New York Fashion Week, its just beyond. (Apparently in my excitement I've lost the ability to be articulate here.)

I should explain that I am a self professed Barbie girl. I played with Barbie dolls throughout my childhood, had the dream house, the Ferrari, and as many cloths as I could get my hands on. (Peaches'n Cream Barbie was my favorite fyi.) As a sophomore in high school I was assigned in art class to take an object from childhood and create and abstract painting inspired by it. What did I choose of corse, Barbie. Anyone who attended my high school may remember this painting because it actually hung in the hall beside the main office for two and half years until I graduated. Barbie made an appearance again in my life when I earned my college degree in Fashion Design from FIT. My graduation cake had an actual Barbie in it with a cake skirt! So needless to say I'm certainly a Barbie girl and you can understand why this is such a thrill.

Back to the project here, for Fashion Week Barbie opened up her "Dream Closet" for a series of parties and events celebrating her iconic fashion history. Lincoln Center's David Rubinstein Atrium acted as home to Barbie's Dream Closet featuring real "live" walking and talking Barbie dolls decked out in clothing from designers such as Alexander McQueen and Oscar de la Renta. There were boudoirs where guests could virtually try on over 50 Barbie looks, both contemporary and historical, stations to sit and design your own Barbie fashions, and last but not least there were Barbie inspired make-overs so top editors, celebrities, and guests could get doll'd up! This is where my fashion illustrations came into play.

I was hired to sketch Barbie hairstyles inspired by a selection of the most classic Barbies, some of which I even had as a girl. When guests sat to have their hair worked on by the Blo Bar geniuses, they referred to my Barbie illustrations to choose their "do" of bouncy curls, colorful hair extensions, feathers or even glitter sprayed braids.

It was a star studded Fashion Week event where top editors and celebrities including Kelly Rutherford (shown below), Brooke Shields, Nigel Barker, and Kelly Bensimon were invited with their little girls to take part in the Barbie fabulousness.

As I worked on this project I literally sat at my desk drawing with a huge grin on my face. How many people get to study images of Malibu Barbie and Barbie and the Rockers for their jobs? I mean really pinch me, just another day in the office right!?! Hopefully its the first of many dream come true projects.

For more from this event you can check out my Facebook Fan Page albums of event photo's and other commissions I've worked on recently. And later in the week I'll be sharing a few more of my illustrations for Barbie: Dream Closet.

Costume Design by Vera Wang {Bride Wars}

As you probably know, I love finding costume design sketches. Combine that with a wedding and I'm in heaven. I recently found this Vera Wang bridal sketch for Kate Hudson in the romantic comedy Bride Wars. I've always loved this dress and actually have it in a file for future "sketch-spiration" for BrooklitBride. Doesn't Kate's "bridal beauty" in this film just scream draw me. (Maybe one day I will and we'll see how my version compares with Ms. Wangs.)

Best Dressed {SAG Awards}

Last nights Screen Actors Guild Awards did not disappoint in the red carpet department. Viola Davis was greek goddess perfection in her white and gold Marchesa gown and Jayma Mays had her best red carpet look yet in this Reem Acra sequin stunner.

Octavia Spencer looked flawless. Her Tadashi Shoji ensemble highlighted her curves and her up-do, makeup, and accessories were simply beautiful. A perfect look to accept her award in! (Yay to Octavia and the cast of The Help!) Sofia Vergara who although a little predictable in her red carpet looks, did rock her fuschia Marchesa gown and sleek high ponytail. And last but certainly not least was the lovely Rose Byrne who went for something out of the box with a Ellie Saab sequined jumpsuit. With her blunt-bob hair style she was channeling 70's glamour. She's such "a sketch" in this look, I may just draw her.

Spotted: VIPs with Brooklit Cards

Today I'm excited to share new photos of VIPs I've had the pleasure of meeting recently who all paused for a pic with their favorite Brooke Hagel illustration.

First up, actress Vanessa Britting who chose my Eva sketch. Vanessa has such a charming and sophisticated sense of style, that Eva fit her perfectly. I spent a weekend at a destination wedding with Vanessa and was stuck by her look each day. I actually told her that I thought she was "sooo pretty and polished and always looked like she just stepped out of a Kate Spade ad."

To my surprise just 4 days after writing about Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman and putting her on my Golden Globe best dressed list, I had the pleasure of meeting her at a Project Runway All Stars event. I actually wound up in an elevator with her right at the beginning of the night but was so caught off guard that I totally choked didn't share that with her! Later in the evening I did decide to say hello and introduce myself, and Georgina chose my Mystie illustration to strike a pose with. Angela Lindvall, model and Project Runway All Stars host chose two of my cards, Vogue and Billowing Bride. Angela loved the cards and said she wanted one of herself drawn, which I was thrilled about and told her anytime, just pick your favorite look and I'm on it.

Normally people do choose the card that resembles them, meaning similar hair color or style. In the case of adorable actress Ashleigh Falls she took that to a whole other level! Its as though this card was drawn specifically of Ashleigh. (Which it was not. Remember this post? This is where this drawing originated.) The resemblance was so uncanny that Ashleigh even asked if she could use my illustration as a head-shot!

Last but not least is Project Runway All Star Mondo Guerra, who chose Allie as his favorite and legendary comic book artist Neal Adams who chose Vogue. Neal actually told me about getting his start in fashion illustration before moving onto comics! If you're not a comic person you may not be familiar with Neal but he has drawn most of the comic icons we know and love such as Batman, Superman and the X-Men.

(Previous VIP post here.)

Best Dressed {Golden Globes 2012}

Awards season is in full swing and with that comes many inspiring and jaw dropping red carpet looks. In my effort to post more I thought I'd share my picks for best dressed from last nights Golden Globe Awards.

Charlize Theron absolutely stole the show in this stunning blush pink Dior Couture gown and diamond headband. Granted I'm sure that with her body she could wear a burlap sack and still knock em dead, this look from head-to-toe was perfection.

I love the art-deco vibe of Salma Hayek's black and gold beaded Gucci gown and adore Heidi Klum's sleek and sexy nude Calvin Klein backless dress paired with a turquoise statement necklace. The color combo with her tan skin and blond locks is so California-girl chic.

Georgina Chapman is always a favorite of mine in her beautifully intricate designs for Marchesa and this gown was no different. The wide gold lace neckline is exquisite and really stands out against the ethereal white draping. And last but not least, Claire Danes in this unique J. Mendel black and white open backed dress is a hit that certainly lands her a spot on my list.

Honorable mention's go to Shailene Woodley also in Marchesa, Elle Macpherson in Zac Pozen, Sarah Hyland in vintage Dolce and Gabbana and Nicole Richie in Julien MacDonald, all of whom chose beautiful gowns. Click here for all the Golden Globe red carpet looks.

Costume Designs {The Hunger Games}

Hello Katniss Everdeen! InStyle contacted designers to come up looks for Katniss' show stopping fire costume for the opening ceremony scene. One of my closest friends, designer Renaldo Barnette, has been freelancing for Nicole Miller and got to take a stab at this costume design project. (Being a bit of a Hunger Games fanatic, I think I may have been more excited about it than he was!)

(Nicole Miller)

Although I may be bias, I think Renaldo really hit the nail on the head with this one! He truly captured her fierce transformation into a strong and beautiful woman while maintaining her essence (with her signature braid) and the drama of the moment with the cape and headpiece.

(Rachel Roy)

Rachel Roy's interpretation is also a stunning illustration, however it may be a little too avant garde. (If anything could be avant garde in "the Capital.")

(Charolette Ronson)

The Hunger Games is currently filming and I can't wait to see it and soak up more of Peeta, Gale, and Katniss. If you'd like to see more of the designer costume designs, check out InStyle.

(Tibi and BCBG)

This trilogy is one of my recent faves and I'm thrilled its being brought to the silver screen. Hopefully there will more more costume design illustrations leaking out as well.

Spotted: VIP Brooklit Fans

Being out and about in the city and at different events I often encounter some pretty notable people whom I like to chat it up with such as Bobbi Thomas and Louise Roe (shown below.) Since I'm a artist, I feel that there's no better way to network then by sharing a visual reference of what it is I do. My business cards, printed by Moo, feature different illustrations from my portfolio, so its as though I have a mini portfolio on me at all times. After showing all my cards, I then let people pick their favorite.

Pictured here are some of the aforementioned VIPs: Today Show's style editor Bobbi Thomas, whom I met at Lincoln Center for NY Fashion Week. Bobbi chose my Vogue illustration card and fashion journalist and tv host Louise Roe, whom I had the pleasure of meeting with at the Empire, opted for both Vogue and Mystie.

The Style Network's Jeannie Mai chose to take a bite out of my Vogue illustration at a Style breakfast! And Paper Magazine's fabulous Editorial Director, Mickey Boardman whom I also met at NY Fashion Week went with the bold Billowing Bride.

Jaslene Gonzales, America's Next Top Model winner whom I met at the 50/50 movie premiere after party chose Eva because she loved the dramatic lace sleeves. And last but certainly not least is Design Sponge author Grace Bonney who also favored the Billowing Bride.

For you non-facebookers I'm sharing these photo's here on Fabulous Doodles, but if you'd like to check out some more of them, I recently created a album on my Facebook fan page that I plan to continually add to.

Bridal Costume Illustration {Pam Am}

What do you get when you take a 60's period wardrobe paired with the hottest new show on television, then add in a beautiful wedding gown worn throughout the first two episodes? My favorite new show, ABC's Pan Am. (I realize I'm about a month late here, but thanks to my dvr, I watched all four episodes last night. Better late than never right!)

Within the first five minutes of the pilot episode of Pan Am one of the leading ladies wore the most lovely wedding gown, and I instantly fell in love. Laura played by Margot Robbie, donned this elegant duchess satin gown with a fitted bodice, voluminous gathered skirt, and tiny bow detailing at the shoulders and waistband.

I quickly grabbed my sketchbook to capture the look and since I really like the outcome I've added it to BrooklitBride so you can purchase your own print of my "Laura" bridal costume illustration. I can't wait to see what the costume designers come up with next. I'm hoping there are many more elegant affairs ahead.

(Image of ABC's Pan Am taken from my tv.)

Vera Wang Designs for Kim K.

I was thrilled when I saw Vera Wang's tweet this morning directing me to her sketches of Kim Kardashian's three (yes, you read that right, she wore three) wedding gown designs. Needless to say, I love a designer sketch. Take a designer sketch and add in a celebrity or pop culture reference and I've got a guaranteed Fabulous Doodles feature. (You can check out similar previous posts with designs for 'Bella Swan' and Kate Middleton.)

This first dress, a classic princess ballgown design is the dress Kim wore to walk down the aisle for the actual wedding ceremony. As I love almost anything ballerina inspired, I adore the impressively large gathered tulle skirt and simplicity and elegance of the strapless lace bodice.

The second design, my personal favorite for Kim, is a dramatic lace ruffled mermaid silhouette that she donned for their first dance.

And last but not least, Kim's third dress is a v-neck bias cut satin gown with a flared skirt bottom. This one is the most simple and very old Hollywood and was worn to party the night away.

I'm so glad that Vera and the Wang gang decided to share these sketches. I wish more designers would follow suit. I'm also thankful thats its gotten me out my blogging rut! I can't believe its been a month since my last post. I'm sorry, its unlike me to let so much time lapse between posts but its been a nutty summer. (I have been posting on facebook and checking in on twitter though, so make sure you're a follower.)

Illustrations by Vera Wang

McQUEEN

Its not often that an exhibition blows my mind and takes me on an emotional rollercoaster, but thats what happened last week when my friend Sarah and I finally stuck out the long line and made our way into The Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.

"You've got to know the rules to break them. That's what I'm here for, to demolish the rules but keep the tradition." -Alexander McQueen

This very month fifteen years ago (when I was 15) I enrolled in a summer program at a art university. It was then that I was introduced to the work of McQueen by my fashion professor who besides never having taught a class before, happened to be a close friend of McQueens since childhood. He described helping Lee (Alexander was his middle name) build his first collection in a bare bones flat where they had to take the doors down and turn them into tables to have sufficient work surfaces. His stories stayed with me and I'd often think of them when fashion week rolled around and I'd check out McQueen's latest collection.

McQueen was brilliant and his collections were always dramatic and pushed the envelope. One of the joys of this exhibit was walking through with Sarah (one of my bffs and fellow FIT fashion design alum) and pointing out to one another the pieces we remember from past collections and getting closer looks at all the intricacy and attention to detail within each piece.

Highlights of the exhibition for me include:

-The glass casket in the Romantic Gothic room featuring McQueen's Angels and Demons. This gold gilded, feathered, and engineered printed collection showed his passion for art history.

-Also in the Romantic Gothic room, the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious silk parachute coat inspired by Tim Burton with a small fan hidden in the floor blowing it open.

-The Cabinet of Curiosities room, with cubbies containing incredible accessories from his collections such as the Chinese Garden cork head piece by Phillip Treacy Feith, beautiful bodices of wood or molded leather and the splatter paint dress (shown atop this post) where above the dress you could watch video footage from the 1999 show where Shalom Harlow came out in a white dress and she stood on a rotating platform as robots aggressively spray painted her.

-The Romantic Exoticism room with its mirrored walls and rotating mannequins that I later learned was designed to simulate a jewelry box.

-The disturbing yet beautiful wallpaper made from McQueen drawings that was blown up and repeated as you walked into the Romantic Naturalism room.

-The hologram. This little hologram that you have to bend down to watch literally took my breath away. It starts as a little blue/white smokey light and becomes Kate Moss in and "Oyster" dress of hundreds of layers of raw edged silk organza, spinning and moving as the music from Schindler's List plays. There are no words to describe how beautiful this was. Then once the hologram show is finished you can admire the actual dress (shown below) as you walk into the next room.

This exhibit has been extended (for the second time) to August 7th. If you're in NYC or have plans of visiting, make the trip on over to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The line is long and the exhibit will most likely be packed, but its hands down one of the best exhibitions I've ever seen. The rooms are transformed floor to ceiling and your taken on a journey of the genius that was Lee Alexander McQueen.

All images from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Costume Design: Water for Elephants

As you may already know, I have a serious weakness for costume design, so stumbling upon actual "working sketches" is always a treat. Pair that with sketches from a good period piece and I'm in heaven.

I found these sketches by costume designer Jacqueline West for Water for Elephants in People and knew I had to share them here, and go see the movie already. Reese Witherspoon's wardrobe was sensational and worth the ticket price alone. I couldn't get enough of those 1930s bias-cut silk charmeuse gowns, feathered and beaded "show numbers," finger waved hair styles and art-deco jewels.

(And 2 hours of Rob Pattinson on the big screen isn't so bad either!)

Television Debut

Last week, just two days before the royal wedding and the unveiling of "the dress" my illustrations made their television debut on the Nate Berkus Show. I was asked by Nate's producers to collaborate with fashion journalist Louise Roe to illustrate our prediction for Kate Middleton's wedding gown. (My goodness were we close! I couldn't believe it when I saw Kate step out of the car.)

A little insider info here, things in tv-land move very quickly. It all happened one afternoon about a month ago when Nate's producers called me about the "Royal Wedding" episode they were working on and said they'd love include me in the dress segment of the show with Louise. Needless to say I was thrilled and instantly signed on. A few hours later Louise called me to chat about ideas for the sketches. I then had only till morning to draw my heart out and send the illustrations on over to the show. Although the episode was not scheduled to tape until the following week, the producers needed my sketches well in advance so that the computer techs could work their magic and transform my illustrations into a animated 3-d composite.

From the moment Louise and I first spoke we were on the same page about what we speculated for Kate's wedding gown. We reviewed designs I previously featured here, talked about our visions and I even texted her a picture of some rough sketches in the middle of the night, just so she could see how it was coming along since there was certainly not much time for changes.

Kate has a clear style of classic-traditional. Louise and I agreed that the overall silhouette of her gown would be a simple A-line but large enough to not get swallowed by the cathedral setting. She'd have long lace sleeves and her shoulders and chest would be covered as well. The design would be "modest," and not revealing or inappropriate. It would include couture detailing such as a perfectly contoured and fitted bodice with hand embroidery and/or lace appliqué along the bottom of the skirt and along the train. We also included a delicate and simple tiara, beaded waistband, and a polished and modern bouquet of white flowers and greenery. We knew her dress, train and veil would be beautiful, but certainly nowhere near as opulent as Diana’s.

It was such a thrill to collaborate with Louise, I've been such a admirer of hers and have actually turned many of my "fashion friends"on to her by sending her vogue.com video and her website. I have also been a avid Nate follower ever since he first stepped onto Oprah’s stage 9 years ago. (A little while back I gushed about him here.)

I know I'll never forget the feeling I had sitting in the audience beside my friend Renaldo and my mom (who actually happened to be visiting from California that same week,) and at the risk of sounding cheesy, it really was a "Secret" moment. I honestly feel like I put it out there, and look what happened. Seeing my fashion illustrations on television was incredible and I just know its the first of many. (But how lucky am I that Nate was my first. ;) When the show aired last week my mom sent me a text saying she was crying with pride. I picked up the phone and called her, but she promptly hung up on me because "the show was on!"

For a closer look at all the sketches you can click on over to the Nate Berkus Show website. I'm working on a new illustration based off Kate's real look from the wedding, which I'll share and add to my etsy shop soon. (Sorry if I rambled on, I normally try to keep posts short!)

Fashion Week: Designer Sketches

New York Fashion Week came and went all to quickly this season but the Fall 2011 collections did not disappoint and more importantly left us with some fabulous new designer sketches to ogle over. Here are a few of my favorites!

(Jason Wu and Catherine Malandrino)

I absolutely love the loose and stylistic approach of these Jason Wu and Catherine Malandrino sketches. They are both so energetic and sophisticated.

(Adam and Rachael Roy)

This Adam sketch is great example of how you can achieve a polished and professional illustration without rendering the face and hair, which many find intimidating. Especially when starting out drawing and designing. Keep it clean and simple.

(Badgley Mischka and Ruffian)

Next week I'll post more NYFW sketches as well as a couple of my pictures from Lincoln Center. (It's so weird to not say "the tents" or "Bryant Park" anymore!) In the mean time, if you'd like to see more illustrations and read about the inspiration behind these collections you can check out InStyle.

(Peter Som and Michael Kors)

Costume Design: Black Swan

It's always a thrill to find great costume illustrations, and these sketches from fashion designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte for Black Swan do not disappoint! They have a soft and whimsical stylized look, which is synonymous with the look of their illustrations for Rodarte, while still serving as readable working sketches.

The designing sisters were challenged with making clothes that were dramatic and character appropriate while also being ballet-friendly and completely wearable.

The wardrobe, the characters and the setting are all so intriguing to me. I also absolutely love illustrating ballerinas so maybe I'll take a stab at rendering the main characters after I see the film.

Embarrassingly enough I have not actually seen Black Swan yet, I usually steer clear of scary movies, but I may have to suck it up just to see these costumes in action.