Fashion Week: Designer Sketches {Fall 2012}

(BGBG and Rachel Roy)

Today was the last day of the shows for the fall 2012 New York collections so what better day than today to post some of my favorite designer fashion illustrations from this season. It always interests me to pool different designers sketches and see their take on illustrating.

(Rebecca Minkoff, Tibi, Chris Benz)

Although my personal style of illustrating tends to be very detailed and fully rendered I absolutely love the sketchy quality of the illustrations from designers Rachel Roy and Rebecca Minkoff. And the style of the light weight pen sketches from both Tibi and Chris Benz (shown above) are such a fun and whimsical take on illustration.

(James Coviello, Elie Tahari and NHAM)

This James Coviello illustration (above left) displays such great fabric rendering and its always nice to see some bright colors incorporated into a fall palette. And I love that the NAHM sketch (above right) combines two different rendering techniques, simple pencil sketching for the body, and a markered technique for the clothing. Its such a striking combination, I may even try it out myself soon.

(Tracy Reese, Nicole Miller and DKNY)

Last but certainly not least is a fun profile illustration from Tracy Resse which appears be a computer generated illustration. (Which brings back haunting memories of FIT and CAD classes! I'm a pencil-to-paper kind of girl.) The chic 70's inspired girl in the middle is from one of my best friends Renaldo Barnette, for Nicole Miller's fall collection. It always amazes me how he can channel so much attitude and energy without showing the face or eyes, like in this fabulous illustration. And lastly is a "doodlesque" loose sketch from DKNY.

I'm working on a post wrapping my fashion week excursions since last weekend's Barbie excitement but in the mean time I hope you enjoy these girls. Which is your favorite and why?

(Designer illustrations from Pantone and Stylist)

Belts, Bags, Black & White

Not long ago I was asked to create an assortment of fashion illustrations as well as consult on the branding and design esthetic for an accessory company called Bali Belts Studio. I created eight illustrations of fashion forward girls all sporting their belts while donned in classic black and white. Having a background in brand development, I advised that keeping the color story simple will prevent the sketches from becoming dated and will be relatable to multiple markets.

My design idea's were implemented and my sketches featuring the companies handbags and belts were used as decor in their NYC showroom, as well as within trade show booth displays at The Accessories Show in New York, and Magic in Vegas.

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.

My Blog Goes to College

A little while ago I was contacted by representatives from the Style Design College. They are fans of Fabulous Doodles and asked if I would give approval for some of my posts to be used in within their curriculum. I'm so honored that select illustrations of mine, tutorials, and photo's will be used to help teach aspiring designers and illustrators. Style Design College has campuses in Milan, Italy and South Africa. For more about them, click here.

(Images above from my blog archive; Sequin Tutorial, Secret Weapons (tools), E-Drop Off (commission), Face It.)

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.