Fabulous Doodles Fashion Illustration blog by Brooke Hagel: designer

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Live Sketching at The RealReal x Miu Miu Book Launch in Soho

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of live sketching at The RealReal x Miu Miu book launch party in Soho—and it was truly one for the books.

As a fashion illustrator who specializes in live sketching at events, it’s always especially meaningful to collaborate with brands I genuinely love and use myself. I’ve been a longtime customer of The RealReal, so getting to work with their team in this creative capacity felt like a full-circle moment.

The event, held at The RealReal’s Soho flagship, celebrated the latest Miu Miu book release and brought out a stylish crowd dressed in everything from archival Miu Miu pieces to bold, avant-garde looks. As an event artist, I live for moments like this—when the guests become the muses!

Throughout the evening, I created custom fashion illustrations for attendees, capturing their one-of-a-kind style in real time. The energy was vibrant, the fashion inspiring, and the entire experience a perfect blend of luxury, creativity, and community.

Whether it’s a private party, a brand activation, or a book launch like this one, live sketching adds a unique and memorable touch to any event. If you’re planning something special and want to elevate your guest experience, I’d love to hear from you!

Interested in live event sketching for your brand or celebration? Email me at TheBrookeHagel@gmail.com or visit brookehagel.com to learn more.

Ralph Lauren Team USA Uniform Sketches | Tokyo 2021

The time has finally come, the Ralph Lauren Olympic fashion illustration's for the Team USA Uniforms have been been released and tonight we get to see them in action. “Team USA’s 2020 [now 2021 since the pandemic postponement] Opening Ceremony Parade Uniform is a classic all-American look that incorporates sustainable materials within each piece,” a press release from Ralph Lauren read. What it left out was that it incorporated elements, or better yet accessories and illustrative details we’ve yet to see from Ralph Lauren for any Olympic Games ever before such as athletes sporting face masks, and for the first time a press release illustration incorporating the disabled community with a Paralympian and a wheelchair as well as a multitude of ethnicities for the croquis. The inclusive nature of the team USA uniform illustrations released by Ralph Lauren of both opening and closing ceremony looks for 2021 are truly like none we’ve ever seen before from the brand!

In addition to the added elements mentions above, from what I can tell (and now I can’t be 100% certain but I’d be willing to bet money on it) these illustrations also appear to be digital drawings which is quite the departure for a brand with such a rich history of hand drawn illustrations behind their designs. (At the end of this post I’ll share links with examples of older works.) Specifically the opening ceremony illustration, with the multiple figures, and the way the flag and fabrics are rendered, appears to me to be evenly filled lines are that are rendered with digital brush strokes. Of course it’s still in the same beautiful Ralph Lauren illustrative style and well drawn croqui’s that are quality examples of the brand. But it’s a modern drawing technique, a high tech fashion illustration version that parallels the high performance gear and sustainable clothing elements the illustrations are representing.

Bravo Ralph Lauren! For being all-inclusive with the disabled community, representing multiple ethnicities, not ignoring the pandemic with masks and stepping out of your comfort zone by doing digital illustrations for these 2021 Olympic Team USA looks! Can't wait to see the illustrations come to life on the athletes in tonight's Opening Ceremony.

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Halston Fashion Illustrations from Halston Style Exhibit

This weekend I, like most fashion lovers, devoured the new 5-part mini series Halston that premiered on Netflix. To my pleasant surprise the series was peppered with Halston fashion illustrations and it got me thinking about Halston Style, an exhibit I went to 4 years ago, in April of 2017 at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (Side note: a museum I actually volunteered at as a docent, many moons ago in my high school years!) I've been to countless fashion designer retrospectives throughout the years but this one is engrained in my head, as it had hands down the most fashion illustrations of any I'd ever even been to and illustrated by the likes of Halston, Steven Sprouse, Joe Eula (Halston Creative Dir. of 10+ years), and Andy Warhol. The collection of illustrations, garments, iconic designs like Jackie Kennedy's inaugural Halston designed pillbox hat (shown below), personal notes and memorabilia from a life long fashion career was curated from Halston's personal archive which he bestowed upon his neice Lesley Frowick with the directive to write a book "because she would have everything she needed to tell his story. She wrote the book, after 25 years, but always felt a companion exhibit was necessary to share Halston's style and sensibilities given the rich volumes he left behind."

Halston was "ahead of his time in more ways than one, he considered all body types, his designs flattering all ages and sizes. He recruited plus sized vaudevillian Pat Ast to model and be a member of his entourage. Although he was trained in fashion illustration at the Chicago Art Institute, within a few short years he hired Steven Sprouse as official fashion illustrator. Sprouse worked by his side for a few years before making his own mark on the fashion world. Then came Joe Eula [a featured character in the Netflix series] and fashion illustrator extraordinaire, whose gossamer brush strokes brought Halston's flowing fabrics to life in full color."

As the illustrations are all for Halston they are not signed by the different fashion illustrators that may have penned them, which is typical of any fashion house. But all have a very similar aesthetic: bold confident thick markered lines, filled in with solid washes of color and the occasional pattern. Halston figures are almost always faceless given sometimes a lip and once in a while an eye, but always have a air of personality and elegance to their stance and poses.

The exhibit took up the entire museum, each gallery filled with a different era of Halston's career. His beautifully design garments on mannequins in the centers of the rooms, sketches lining the walls, countless orchids, and timelines of his career and personal notes from the likes of Liza Minnelli, Lee Radziwill, Beverly Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor in the corridors. It was such a treat to revisit my camera roll and this exhibit again. I hope you enjoyed the Halston fashion illustrations I chose to spotlight, because I have to tell you, there were many to choose from! Who knows, maybe the popularity of the series will have them put the exhibit on again! Wouldn't that be amazing. But in case that doesn't happen you could always pick up Lesley's book.

(Quotes taken from Halston Style exhibition at Nassau County Museum of Art)

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Olympic Team USA Designs by Ralph Lauren | Rio

Ralph Lauren, the quintessential all-American design king has once again designed team USA's opening and closing ceremony looks for the Olympics and with the closing ceremony taking place later today what better time to feature sketches from the Ralph Lauren team of what we can expect to see the athletes wearing. If you've been reading Fabulous Doodles a while you know I'm a huge fan of Ralph Lauren fashion illustrations, and have featured them numerous times. The Olympic illustrations, especially the men shown here, are drawn strong and statuesque with beautiful movement and life to sketches. The color rendering is super saturated, almost like a digital illustration but I'm pretty sure they were illustrated traditionally on paper, as is standard procedure for the house of RL. I love the simplified stylized shadows throughout the skin and garments and am impressed with how many details are in each sketch, down to the intricate design of the boatshoes, the braided bracelets and tiny logos throughout the garments. All without making the illustrations appear overworked or fussy.

Shown above are the sketches from the opening night ceremony. Again showing only the men for two reasons; as odd as it is they resonate more with me than the women's this time around. And since this year they styled the men and women in identical uniforms, as opposed to years past where the women have had more feminine looks with skirts and dresses, you're not missing any opposing or complimentary designs. Its rare that I share male illustrations here but these are so well done I couldn't resist. I'll certainly be using these beautiful renderings for future reference for my own male illustrations, which I have to admit I find challenging.

I'm looking forward to tuning in tonight for the Rio Olympics closing ceremonies to see these sketches truly come to life on the athletes of team USA!

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Sketching for Jonathan Adler x Fisher Price

Last week I had the pleasure of spending my day custom sketching for Jonathan Adler and Fisher Price at New York's Museum of Arts and Design for a press preview event debuting their exciting collaboration of high contrast, high style baby gear. Since the collection is graphic and bold they requested I paint simplified monocromatic profile portraits. It was slightly different from my typical fashion illustration sketching event but it was success and everyone seemed to truly love their custom illustrations.

It was great to spend one on one time chatting with and sketching Jonathan. I've actually been a fan of his work since he opened his very first shop down in Soho in 1998. My dad is a potter so I grew up around potters wheels, kilns, and a house full to the brim of handmade pottery. I've also been collecting Jonathan's pieces for years and have loved seeing him grow the company to include all forms of home decor, furniture, lighting, fashion accessories and now baby gear (not that I have a use for this one just yet!)

Spending the day illustrating atop a museum I've frequented for years was also pretty incredible. If only my studio desk had views like this! And although I realize its a stretch I'm thinking now I can say that like my cousin, renowned sculptress Louise Nevelson, maybe I could say my work has been in MAD!? All kidding aside though it was a great event to live-sketch and the collection (which I can't share photo's of just yet) is stunning. One of the editors I sketched said the Jonathan Adler x Fisher Price collab is going to be true a game changer within the baby market.

Designer Sketches for NYFW Spring 2016

Its New York Fashion Week again, which to me has always been a time to ogle over designer sketches which they release as a preview of their collection and the inspiration behind it. Aside from being pure visual eye candy for a fashion illustration lover, an aspiring illustrator can learn a lot by studying inspiring sketches and trying to achieve similar techniques.

I've picked only five this season and possibly my favorite of the lot is the Adam Lippes illustration shown above. I've always loved illustrations that look effortless and a bit unfinished. Knowing when to stop and not overwork a sketch is something I've always been a little insecure about in my own work. The contour lines of the legs, feet and face with a simple single stroke of skin color is what I like best. Another beauty is Mara Hoffman's illustration which perfectly conveys the bohemian look of her brand with long braids, a headband and a walking fashion figure that is ideal for a long flowing starry gown.

The next sketch by Joie (shown above) is charcoal on pale pink paper and looks as though it was made for Fabulous Doodles! The light lines and partially rendered floral print has such a lovely soft effect. Its airy and feminine and even as a simple sketch, the overall look is on brand with what I've come to and love Joie.

Next is a bolder sketch in monotone black and white by Tome. Its a little heavy handed and different from the others I've chosen, but similar in how it's partially rendered with a slight unfinished look. In this sketch its the body that is barely there, keeping all the focus and detail in palm print dress. And last but not least is stunning watercolor painted fashion illustration by Carmen Marc Valvo. The past few months I've been experimenting more with watercolor and gouache and I love seeing how other artists use it. The saturated black background which washes away toward the bottom is such a unique way to frame an illustration and something I'm eager to try for myself.

I hope you liked my top picks of designer sketches from the Spring 2016 collections and that they inspire you, as they do me, to try something new.
(Illustration by each designer via Elle and WWD.)

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Sketches Inspired by Resort Collections

If you follow me on Instagram (@brooklit) you'll know that over the past few weeks I've been busy sketching some favorite designer looks inspired by resort 2016 collections. I've always loved the resort season collections, which are shown mid way through the fall and spring shows. Since so fewer pieces are shown designers have to keep their designs focused and concise. They also remind me of mini collection projects I'd design back in college. Each piece needs to serve a purpose, be well thought out and fit into the overall theme of the collection. Unlike fall and spring collections which can have as many as 120 pieces with both "filler" pieces and more avant garde looks that are solely for a dramatic runway moment, resort can have as few as 15-20 pieces.

The first collection I've illustrated here is Marchesa, consistently flawless, feminine and always a favorite of mine. This Moroccan inspired Resort collection featured a bounty of embroidered flowers inspired by Moroccan tiling, with intricate laces and a beautiful color palette of blush pinks, coral, black, white, gold and navy. In rendering this collection I chose the silhouettes I liked most that were also comprised of the laces and full floral embroideries that made the collection so exquisite and I enjoy rendering. The two to the right were two of my favorites both within the collection and in the outcome of the illustration. Theres something about sheer fabrics, like the v-neck white lace jumpsuit and peach organza bell-sleeve dress that make them so chic.

Rachel Zoe is next. Black and white is an eternal favorite of mine, along with much of the New York fashion set and her Resort 16' collection combined them beautifully with shimmer, embellishments and luxe fabrics. My favorite pieces to illustrate (shown above) were the ones that used beaded fringe, black and white stripes and chevron, and combinations of leather and suede. I illustrated these girls very elongated and stylized. This is the fashion illustration style I favor most however rarely use anymore since clients tend to prefer a "healthier" girl. To me though this is the epitome of fashion illustration. After completing these sketches I really want to keep along this vein and try to do more in this style, at least when drawing for myself, where I'm the sole opinion that needs to be taken into account.

Last up is Elizabeth and James by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. This collection, in my eyes, was the for the quintessential "cool girl." Another classic palette of black and white featuring loose and slouchy dresses, wide-leg trousers and tailored blazers. They played with proportions and volume and put together a strong resort collection. Surprisingly the pant looks were my favorite to illustrate of the all the pieces, as show above middle and below.

For design students looking for mini collection inspiration or to the fashionphile looking to explore new designers I suggest browsing through the resort collections, always a hit in my book.

Donna Karan | End of an Era

(Above: Donna Karan fashion sketch, Donna Karan RTW Spring 08')

Last week Donna Karan announced she was stepping down as chief designer of her namesake company Donna Karan International and I can't help but feel its truly the end of era. As a huge admirer of her work since my pre-teen years it shouldn't come as a surprise to me how much the news has effected me. In my early days of studying fashion design at FIT I'd often be assigned market research reports and store visits and my first stop was always the Donna Karan Collection store. I'd study the slinky gowns, chat about the collection with the staff and always ask for a lookbook to take home to study and often add to my mood board wall. (This was before photos from the collections were available at your fingertips online.)

(Above: Esther Canadas shot by Peter Lindbergh for spring 00' campaign, Donna Karan shot by Ruven Afanador, Donna Karan RTW fall 99')

Karan has always had a remarkable understanding of a woman's body. Along with sophisticated color palettes in luxurious stretch fabrics, and unique knits, made her consistently my one of favorite designers. Her luxe New Yorker esthetic alway came through in her ads which were regularly shot by the fashion industries top photographers and featuring the most sought after models of the moment from Iman to Esther Cañadas to Kate Moss and most recently Karlie Kloss.

(Donna Karan campaign shot by Patrick Demarchelier featuring Karlie Kloss and Donna Karan Atelier sketches for Anna Kendrick)

I met Karan once, it was 1999. I had just began studying fashion design full-time and the meat packing district was beginning to become a shopping mecca, you still had to walk by hanging carcasses lining the sidewalks to get to stores. Those days are since long gone, now its one pristine luxury shop after the next. I was walking around with my dad and asked if he'd mind if we stopped by the new "it" store, Jeffrey. I walked in carrying my favorite black leather bag by Karan (also my very first big ticket bag splurge) and who do I spot but Donna Karan herself shoe shopping with her daughter! Needless to say I was completely starstruck! My dad being my dad made me say hello and introduce myself but its honestly all a daze. I just remember being excited to have been holding my Donna Karan bag at the time. I rarely get that starstuck. So far its only been her and Sarah Jessica Parker that I've managed to embarrass myself meeting. (To SJP my first words were "it's you!?!" So embarrassing! Cut to a few months later though and I found myself working as a wardrobe intern on the set of Sex and the City.) I digress and seem to be going off on a tangent but I felt it was important to take a moment here on Fabulous Doodles and write about how important Donna Karan has been to me over the years and how sad I am to see her stepping down. I don't mean to eulogize her here, I realize she's not gone-gone but Donna Karan and her brand truly made a mark on me, my design sense, and the fashion industry.

Previous posts including Donna Karan:

Delta Airlines x Zac Posen | Live Sketching

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of live sketching custom fashion illustrations at Delta Airlines press event announcing designer Zac Posen has signed on to redesign their uniforms. It was a unique event to live-sketch because the guests were all Delta employees who flew in for the day from various cities across the country. I met and sketched pilots, flight attendants, customer service reps and even grounds crew members and loved hearing where each guest was from, and how excited they were for their designer uniform upgrade. A highlight of the day was Zac Posen came over to my drafting table and even snapped a few photos (shown above) of some of the sketches I drew beforehand inspired by vintage Delta uniforms that were displayed throughout the space. It was exciting to see such an accomplished designer admire my illustrations.

I met and sketched so many wonderful Delta employees from across the country throughout the three hour event, drawing over 20 custom sketches actually. All the guests (even the men!) were thrilled to be turned into a fashion illustrations and have a memento of their current and soon-to-be old uniforms. I'm excited for them and really looking forward to seeing what Zac Posen and his team come up with for the lovely Delta team.

If you're interested in having me live sketch custom illustrations at your next corporate event or party email FabulousDoodles@gmail.com for availability and rates.

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Live-Sketching Bridal Fashion Week for Brides Magazine

Recently I attended Bridal Fashion Week to live sketch designers final looks on behalf of Brides Magazine's social media channels and it was without a doubt one of my favorite projects to date. With my sketchbook and art supplies in tow I attended Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier and Marchesa's Spring 2016 Bridal Collections along with a photographer and camera crew to record me live-sketching for photos and time-lapse videos.

I was invited to arrive early to each show for a closer look at the gown I'd be illustrating. The first was Reem Acra and it was an exquisite cream colored re-embroidered metallic lace long sleeve dress with circular tulle underlay. (Sketch shown above) I took some photos of the dress details, watched the models in hair and makeup, then headed out to my seat for the show. Promptly after the show I scooted backstage with the camera crew where my model was waiting for me in the finale dress to pose. I completed the sketch in about 15-20 minutes and she was thrilled with the outcome, and said she'd actually never been sketched before. I then thanked and shared the sketch with Reem Acra. She loved it and was quite complimentary of my work, which she had checked out prior to my arrival. (Ekk!)

Next up, Monique Lhuillier. Again I arrived early and was brought backstage for a closer look at the finale gown. Waiting for my sketching location I sat backstage for quite a while watching the models and snapping pix. They said if I liked another gown more I could sketch whichever gown I thought would make the best illustration so instead of the long-sleeved finale gown I chose a strapless tulle ballgown with a delicate lace bodice with lace appliqués that trickled onto the skirt, to differentiate it from the dress I drew that morning. After the show I got set up in the room they were shooting the look-book in, so again, the model was right there and got to see her final sketch along with the Monique Lhuillier (see below.)

Lastly Marchesa, which unsurprisingly was flawless. When I arrived early backstage I was told the design team wanted to meet with me. Two of the head designers came out and showed me the three contenders they had in mind for the sketch. I chose this gown (below) because of the unique gathered bodice and beautiful three dimensional florals throughout the etherial skirt. I didn't realize at the time, but this was in-fact the finale look. Being a presentation situation, not a runway show, I was able to set up with the camera crew and sketch while the model posed on the pedestal. I saw the two Marchesa designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig during the show but unfortunately not after, once the sketch was complete.

It doesn't get much better than sketching Bridal Fashion Week for Brides Magazine. It was a dream project and hopefully I'll have the opportunity to do it again. Through the years I've attended countless New York Fashion Weeks but up until now, actually only one bridal show, and I have to say I'm sold! Beautiful New York venues showcasing one stunning fairytale gown after the next, it was a fashion illustrating dream come true. You can check out more of my sketches and a time lapse video over on Brides Magazine instagram account. Thank you to the team at Brides and all the designers who welcomed me!

For more of my bridal illustrations you can check out my bridal print shop: Brooklit Bride.

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VOGUE and Viktor & Rolf | You're Invited

You're invited to join me and Vogue this Thursday as I customize my haute couture inspired sketches of Viktor & Rolf designs! We're celebrating the first anniversary of Bonbon, Viktor & Rolf's bow bottled fragrance directly inspired by their avant-garde fall 2013 haute couture collection and would love to have you there:

Saks Fifth Avenue

Viktor & Rolf on One

Fifth Avenue & 49th Street

Thursday, April 23rd 6-8 PM

RSVP: 212.940.4169

I've been a longtime fan of the couture design duo. Their legendary Russian doll collection featuring Maggie Rizer in layer upon layer of couture was one of the first shows I remember truly being blown away by and was shown the same year I delved into fashion as a fashion design major at FIT. Illustrating their designs, and having my sketches pre-approved by the designers for this Vogue event was definitely a "pinch me" moment in my fashion illustration career. I hope to see you all at the event where I'll be customizing these croquis to your and other Vogue guests likeliness!

Red Carpet Fashion Sketches | 2015 Oscars

Hollywoods biggest night of red-carpet fashion was this Sunday, the 2015 Oscars and of course I had sketch my favorites as I watched! I started drawing full-scale more traditional "polished" fashion illustrations, as I've done in the past, but as the show progressed I decided I liked these smaller "quickie" sketches and chose to share a this grouping of my top picks. Immediately upon posting them on instagram during the broadcast I got likes and comments from a Vogue editor, top celebrity stylist, and an E! News fashion correspondent, which obviously made me feel good about my decision. Its pretty incredible the power of Instagram and the ability to instantly share work and get feedback in the moment.

Illustrated above above: Reese Witherspoon looking classic and chic in Tom Ford, Gwyneth Paltrow in the perfect pale pink (again) by Ralph and Russo, Jennifer Lopez was a golden goddess in Ellie Saab and Kerry Washington looked beautiful in white in her go-to designer, Miu Miu.

I wish there were more epic red-carpet events like this, because I truly love illustrating a red-carpet moment. Its fashion at its finest which is truly ideal fashion illustration inspiration, for this fashion illustrator at least!

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NYFW Designer Sketches Spring 2015 (Part 2)

Ready to start your week off with more New York Fashion Week designer sketches? Today I've chosen a batch of classic black, white and neutral illustrations starting with Ella Moss and Jeffrey Dodd. Ella's sketch has a lovely light feel with a lot of texture and depth. I love how the pant pattern was rendered and the use of shading throughout the illustration. Jeffrey Dodd's illustration is much more stylized with a simplified and eccentric headless fashion figure but still clearly conveying the gown design.

The theme of Milly's 2015 spring collection is "organic opulence," which I think this sketch illustrates perfectly. It appears to have been drawn primarily in pen with touches of marker. The illustration has a quick and casual feel but dramatic showing a sheer full skirt and patterned vest.

Rachel Zoe's illustration is a different style than she's shown in recent past seasons (here for example.) This sketch is simplified mod black and white with a playful element in the kicked up foot and shaggy hair, showing the 1960's inspiration even in the figure illustration.

Last but not least is a graphic statement by Lela Rose of watercolored polka dots and florals inspired by a Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama. Again its a bit of a simplified croqui (fashion figure,) but well rendered garments and unique in that the illustration took the polka dot pattern and successfully extended it into a washed out background.

It should be noted that none of these illustrations have faces. I know a lot of aspiring illustrators struggle with facial features and these are a few great examples of successful illustrations without any. The illustrations are all cohesive and none look unbalanced or unfinished.

For more from NYFW Spring 2015, see Part 1 here.

(Illustrations by each designer or design house noted, from WWD and Pantone)

NYFW Designer Sketches Spring 2015 (Part 1)

New York Fashion Week kicked off two days ago and with it a slew of designer sketches were released as a teaser of what we can expect to see on in the collections. As usual I've combed through them and chosen some of my favorites to feature starting with Rebecca Minkoff (above.) Her sketches are consistently flawless and always at the top of my list with beautifully rendered fabrics, faces and hair, and overall the ideal fashion illustration proportions.

DNKY is much more whimsical and stylized but still clearly conveys the garment design. I love the fun touches of pink for the hair and that the illustrator chose a unique profile walking pose. The figure is exaggerated and long with the focus of the sketch is on the geometric dress pattern.

Next up are two different designers with similar illustrative styles, Ellessy and J.Crew. They both have a loose organic feel with minimal facial rendering and outlined in pen. You can clearly read the texture and fabrics but they both seem casually drawn with a light touch. I love the shadow on the Hellessy illustration, its something I've always admired in Audrey Schilt's Ralph Lauren illustrations.

Cynthia Steffe's illustration is another more stylized and fun one, similar to DKNY. It also reminds me of the Daily Candy sketches by Sujean Rim. (Maybe they commissioned her?) To me it appears the illustration is painted in light washes of watercolor without much line work. The sketch has a very young feel with minimal details but again, understandable garment rendering.

I've broken my picks up by color which today for part 1 here are dusty pinks, muted raspberries and slate blues. Check back tomorrow for another colorway and to see more New York Fashion Week Spring 2015 designer sketches.

(Illustrations by each designer labeled, from WWD and Pantone)

Versace Bridal Sketch for Angelia Jolie

Details of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's wedding last month have been released including this beautiful bridal sketch by Atelier Versace. Angelina's couture gown was not your typical Donatella Versace gown, it was a traditional design of ivory silk-satin with a gathered bust and full flared skirt. The real showstopper was in the adornment. In the sketch it simply looks like lace, but in actuality illustrations by their six children were embroidered over the elongated train and silk veil. It was like a sprinkling of colorful doodles all along her back. (Photo here, on my Famous Brides Pinterest board) I'm not so sure its something I would choose, however you can't argue that it isn't a unique and personal touch. I'd certainly be honored if someone adorned her wedding gown with my illustrations!

This particular bridal sketch is by Versace but if you'd like one of yourself or as a bridal gift, you can check out my custom bridal illustrations in my Brooklit Bride Etsy shop.

(Illustration: Atelier Versace)

Plus, a couple of related posts you may have missed:

Karl Lagerfeld Barbie

Yes its true, Mattel has announced a limited-edition Karl Lagerfeld Barbie is being added to the Barbie Collector series this fall. After collaborating with Lagerfeld, head designer and creative director of Chanel, they've designed this incredibly chic Barbie complete with Karl's iconic dark sunglasses, high collar, white hair and classic tailored black jacket. I've been a Barbie-girl forever and have long admired Robert Best's Barbie sketches but until now I've yet to feature any here on Fabulous Doodles, this Lagerfeld Barbie illustration however is too good to pass up!

(Barbie Lagerfeld sketch by Robert Best)

Carolina Herrera Wedding Gown Design for Jessica Simpson

Needless to say I love a designer bridal sketch, and Carolina Herrera is one of my favorite designers. So I was thrilled this morning to find that over the holiday weekend People Magazine released this custom sketch, only days after pop star and fashion licensing power house Jessica Simpson tied the knot again in a custom gown and veil by Carolina Herrera. The sketch is a little odd, with the bride holding the bouquet awkwardly and being bald, but the dress design is pretty and I'm eager to see how it compares to the actual gown. As of now only this close up bridal portrait has been released, but from the little we can see it looks gorgeous.

(Photo: Elizabeth Messina, Illustration: Carolina Herrera)

Forth of July Fashion Illustrations

(Fashion Illustrations by Oscar de la Renta, Bob Mackie, and Brooke Hagel)

Happy Forth of July everyone! I've been away on vacation but I'm back just in time to celebrate the forth with BBQ, fireworks and festive summer fashion. For the occasion I pulled together some red, white and blue fashion illustrations by Oscar de la Renta, Bob Mackie for Diana Ross and my own bridal sketch from my Brooklit Bride print shop. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend and celebrates in style!

Preview of 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion' Exhibit

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's new Anna Wintour Costume Center opens this week with 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion' and I had the pleasure of previewing the inaugural exhibit only hours before the grand Met Ball! A remarkable star-studded fashion crowd was in attendance for the morning ribbon cutting by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Working in fashion for years, I have encountered many before but seeing all them all together at once was truly surreal! It was one major design icon after the next including; Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Giancarlo Giammetti of Valentino, Alber Elbaz of Lanvin, Jenna Lyons, Vera Wang (all shown above,) Raf Simons of Dior, Iris Apfel, Ralph Lauren, Mickey Drexler and Michael Kors.

After the dedication all in attendance were able to preview the exhibit, located in three galleries throughout the museum which oddly are located in opposite wings. Being one of only 4 days of the year that the Met is closed to the public it was pretty fun to walk through the museum and see the galleries that I've walked countless times before which are normally backed with crowds, empty.

The exhibit itself was quite different than the costume exhibits that have proceeded it and I learned from Met curator Harold Koda, who was on hand to answer questions for the morning, that this was an intentional and purposeful goal. "The look and feel is different. Punk-to-James, a most dramatic palette cleanser" for newly named Anna Wintour Costume Center.

James' gowns spanning his 40 year career are displayed in two very dramatically dark galleries with tiny spot lights on each garment. They've implemented new technology that uses a robotic arm to scan each gown and on a foot-level screen you're shown a blueprint of the garment's construction, pattern pieces, fabrics and infrastructure. Exhibit curator Koda says that it's only "when you examine the dresses that you see the mad-architect design and what makes a James a James. Through technology it's visually understandable. Fashion students never forgot James but for the general public it's reintroducing him." The goal was to be analytical but understandable. "People will leave with an understanding that he was doing something different and special" says Koda.

(Top left image: Austine Hearst in Charles James Clover Leaf Gown, 1953)

For me the surprise of the exhibit came in the newly named Anna Wintour gallery (also the one space throughout the show that was well lit.) There you will find James' sketches, fully sewn muslins, personal photographs, sculptures and storyboards for the autobiography he continually worked on but never produced, also aptly titled "Beyond Fashion." Through his sketches (and later in the animated videos into the evening wear) I couldn't help but be reminded of the work of American couturier Ralph Rucci and the similarities in the architecture and engineering of their designs, as well as more recently the work of Zac Posen. Clearly James' work, some of which is nearly 70 years old continues to be an influence on designers.

I have to say Charles James: Beyond Fashion is a must see. The rooms are dark, and it's definitely not your typical Costume Institute show but the opportunity to see this much of creative genius Charles James' exquisite work should not be missed. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Charles James: Beyond Fashion will be open to the public between May 8th and August 10th. And stay tuned to Fabulous Doodles because in the next day or two I'll be sharing my Met Gala inspired fashion sketches.

(All images by Brooke Hagel unless otherwise noted.)

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