Project We Do

For the past 2 months I've been involved in an exciting new project called Project We Do (I actually came up with the name that the committee ended up choosing as the one!) What we're doing is bringing the community together to throw a wedding for very deserving couple who couldn't otherwise afford to have one. The Rabbi says that it's the biggest mitzvah (good deed) you could do, helping to bring a couple to the chuppah (wedding canopy).

For the site I illustrated a bride, groom, and chuppah which the website designer applied to the page as an animated element using flash. I also drew these fun little icons to be used on each page of the site. It's been a really successful collaboration working on designing this website and from the way things are going, and all the donations rolling in, it looks as if this wedding will be a memorable one.

We're still working on the site and will be adding to it daily. Just this past thursday we shot the first "webisode" to document our planning. As one of the head planners I'm co-writing the Planner Blog, so you can check in to read about our progress (here) and even weigh in by voting on different elements of the wedding. As I'm single, and haven't actually planned a wedding for myself yet, I'm really enjoying this project!

Tell me about it, stud.

I'm not normally a trendoid, but I'm so loving that the biker look is in now. I've always loved strong juxtaposition in fashion, especially when mixing ultra feminine soft pieces with hard edgy ones. A few years ago I found a distressed white leather collar covered in silver pyramid studs in a thrift store in Notting Hill, London. I had to have it, although when buying it I didn't know what I would do with it. I don't have a dog, and I'm not exactly the downtown punk type! When I got home I found the perfect place for it; around the neck of my favorite big brown teddy bear. So redic, I know, but I love that he's this big soft and cuddly bear wearing a hard leather studded collar. (I would take a picture to share with you but my camera broke 2 days ago, so I had to send it out.) Anyway, that being said, tonight I decided to draw this girl wearing a chunky knit scarf paired with a stud detail top.

I've recently been thinking about adding some backgrounds to my work, so I tried it out here. I drew a studded pattern and photoshopped it on in there. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, if I'll add it my etsy shop or not, but I thought I'd share it here and maybe get some feedback from you. Background, yay or or nay? If you do decide to leave feedback, how about taking a stab at where this post title comes from too! ;)

Calling all fans

I finally made a Facebook fan page, now I just need some fans! Click here to become a fan, view photo albums of my work or to simply say hi. (I've been working on a little re-branding here, this Brooke Hagel logo for the fan page is the first design to go live. Hope you like it!)

The illustration above is one I drew for the Material Girls page so that fans could "find them" on Facebook. They asked for a head-shot of the same Marie Antoinette character I drew in their headers, looking through a pair of vintage opera glasses. (She makes me want to layer on the jewels and find a pair of white gloves!)

Walk like (or Dress like) an Egyptian

Whenever I sit at my desk and my iphoto screen saver comes on I never know what photo's will pop up. Today it was my Egypt album. This past July I traveled with 5 friends to Egypt. I took tons and tons of pictures (1006 to be exact) because really, who knows if I'll ever be in Egypt again. I decided to do this illustration inspired by the art work and craftsmanship that I saw there. As a long time student of art history it was amazing to be there, in Egypt. I stood in the middle of a nobleman's tomb, in the desert, with room after room of the real hieroglyphics I studied throughout the years. To see it, and touch it (shhh don't tell!), while standing in Egypt and not in a museum...wow. I had "a moment." Paired with the pyramids, King Tut, the mummies, and 5 great friends it's a trip I won't soon forget.

How fab would it be to be invited to the Met Costume Institute for a Halloween Ball looking like this? Ahh one day perhaps.

Ciao for Now Fashion Week

Until we meet again, here's a final posting of fashion illustrations from Fashion Week SS 2010 collections.

Illustrations from: Tibi, DKNY, and Lela Rose

Fashion Bloggers Unite

I'm pretty new to blogging (and a new member of the Independent Fashion Bloggers) so this was my first IFB event. People were in town for Fashion Week so it was the perfect time for IFB members to get together and have a party. Actually it was a "Dress-up Soiree." It's so nice to meet other fashion bloggers and hear about what people are working on. I had a great time, got a great little swag bag, and am looking forward to next time.

Pictured above: the stylish boys of FineAndDandyShop.com, Karen Blanchard of WhereDidUGetThat and I, and a few other fashion bloggers I just had to photograph on my way out. (Didn't get their cards, sorry)