Fabulous Doodles Fashion Illustration blog by Brooke Hagel: holiday

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Brooke Hagel Artwork Featured on 'The View"

Friday my artwork was featured on number one daytime talk show 'The View' as one of cohost Sunny Hostin's favorite things! Sunny has been a repeat client turned friend for years and it was trilling to learn she'd chosen my work to be featured on the show! If you missed it, here's a clip:

I've been overwhelmed by positive responses from the segment airing and of corse the influx of orders in my shop and new newsletter subscribers and followers on social media.

Holiday Pop-Up at Anthropologie

I am so excited so be partnering Anthropologie this year to be hosting my first holiday pop-up shop of the season. I'll be selling my fashion illustration prints, hand painted ornaments, holiday cards, and as a special treat I'll also be hand painting Anthropologie candles with customers names! It's always wonderful to work with a global brand but this one in particular is special, as I've been such a long time loyal customer. (Even my nightstand and a bunch of items here on my desk are Anthro!) I have to say I'm so excited to be working them. It's also only our first event of the season. The next one I can't share just yet, but its even more exciting! Invite above and details here:

Anthropologie Westport

59 Post Rd E

Westport, CT

12-3pm November 20th, 2021

Hope to see you there today! --It's also actually my very first live event of any kind in CT, so that exciting too.

Brooke Hagel x Woops! Macaron Collaboration

Today I am launching my first collaboration of illustrated macarons with Woops! and I couldn't be more excited about it. This limited edition collection was created especially for Mother's Day with nurturing, spirited moms in mind. We toyed with the idea of using my traditional fashion illustrations, accessories and even florals, but in the end my iconic bunhead silhouettes won out and I'm so pleased we went with them! I think they're the perfect personality-filled people to send to moms, aunts, grandmas or a friend to just say "I'm thinking of you." I'm so excited to take my bunheads on this sweet collaborative journey with Woops! by transforming my fashion figures into mothering figures. I was thinking about the women in our lives who are nurturing, loving and spirited, celebrating the women who have raised, supported, encouraged and loved us through it all. This collection is for each person to thank the special woman in their life. If you look closely at the figures you will you find a pregnant figure, a figure holding a baby, a figure with a child, and of course the free spirited strong women that we all admire.

I created three different macaron designs with my bunheads as well as three different box sleeves for you to choose from so theres something to fit everyone. One box is an all over pattern solely of bunheads dancing, prancing and stretching about (see below), another box is solid faint pink and has the bunheads gathered in a frame around my handwritten note saying “Mom, good job. I turned out perfect.” and the third box is also a petal pink with wider open pattern of the bunheads and a quote in the center typed “Aways together, never apart, Maybe in distance but, never in heart.” Which I thought was a beautiful sentiment for all those who can't be with their loved ones, especially at this time, and after this difficult year. All the boxes have my artist statement on the bottom as well as mine and Woops! logos.

In addition to designing the macarons and the boxes, I also curated the boxes with my favorite flavors. You know I have quite the sweet tooth so I took this job very seriously taste testing all the flavors to find the very best for my favorites box! You can order my assorted curated favorites in a box of 9 or 18. To have them arrive by Mother's Day order's need to be placed no later than May 4th, and all orders ship free! I can't wait for you and your loved ones to try them!

2020's Work Wins

I don't typically do a year in review post but 2020 was not a typical year now it. I've been feeling pretty bad about myself for weeks/months leading up to the end of the year thinking about the lack of brand work, well any work if I'm being honest, that I had this year. Being that I primarily live sketch at events and there has been none for nearly 10 months, its been a tough year. Then I read something that said to think about your small wins and accomplishments because this was a tough year, one certainly like none other and you did it, you had those wins. It was like a mini Oprah-light bulb moment for me because I did have some wins! So without further ado I want to share my wins of 2020:

At the start of pandemic I felt helpless. I wanted to do something to giveback to the frontline healthcare heroes aside from donate where I could and 7pm clapping out the window. (Which honestly was nothing short of magical the first few weeks or so! It truly felt like the entire city erupted in applause.) So I started Our Frontline Figures and for weeks had my social media followers submit photos of frontline health heroes they knew. Each week I would choose one and live sketch them on Instagram live then send that person their custom illustration as thank for you all that they've done. It was without a doubt the most fulfilling thing I did all year, giving back to those doctors and nurses who have been risking their lives every day. I received the most heartfelt thank you notes, cards and emails from them that continually brought tears to my eyes.

I got BrookeHagel.com up and running! This was and still is a huge one for me. I have owned this domain name for probably over ten years without putting anything into it. Last year I finally started the site but was too scared/intimidated to figure out how to design it. But this year I finally took action! Its still by no means perfect, and theres SO much more I need to polish and add but its up and running with multiple pages like a bio, press page, books I've illustrated page, an FAQ page, a page with different ways to shop my work, which hopefully next year you'll be able to do directly on the site! Its getting there. And I'm proud of myself for finally making it happen because boy did I procrastinate this one!

Shortly after starting my website I also finally started my newsletter! Similar to the site, this is something I've wanted to do yearsss. As long as I've been blogging really. (which is almost 12 years!) And this year I made it happen and I'm SO proud of it! The overall look and feel reflects my brand vibe and aesthetic beautifully and I'm finally able to share directly with you guys straight to your inboxes! Which feels more intimate and special. You can subscribe here if you'd like to join in!

I had my first ever collection launch this year! In the past I've always just created individual products or prints, put them the shop and announced it. But this year I assembled a proper collection, marketed it and launched it all at one time, the Bunhead Ornament Collection. I'm so proud of how my little bunheads turned out. They're meticulously hand painted on handmade ceramic pieces, hung from raw silk ribbon and simply beautiful. A couple sold immediately upon the launch which was wonderful! Not all have sold out, but thats okay, as I can just hold onto them for next year as I plan to do a second collection in 2021.

This last one is not exactly (not at all) a work win, but its a life win, and one I think is worth the share because who knows who will read it and perhaps benefit from it. In August I rescued a cat and she's completely changed my life. At the risk of sounding like a witch here I was just never a animal lover. Never one of those people who ran to pet peoples dogs or ogled over a cat but this kitty has completely transformed me. I named her Pearl, because she's white (well she was, now she's turning a bit gray) and because I'm a pearl lover and love that its a granny name. I can't put into words how nice it is to have this cutie to play with, cuddle with and laugh at--because sometimes she's hilarious! She's completely taken me out of my what seems like years long funk. (without going to deep here.) Yes I have to feed her and change her litter, which I was hesitant about beforehand, but I love her so much that its just not so bad. I go out and I miss her! I even got a "Pearl cam" to spy on her! I've become one of those people!! And of course, if you know me, I've made her an Instagram, which you should all follow! The entire time I've been writing this post she's been curled up in my lap and I couldn't imagine my apartment or life without her in it anymore. My little Pearl girl has truly been a game changer and made 2020 and quarentine not so bad.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my small wins and maybe they inspired you in some way. I'd love to hear about your wins in the comments! Any pandemic pet adoptions? Product launches? Sign up for any classes or make it through a big book you didnt think you could tackle? I'm all about the small wins! Cheers everyone. I hope you have a happy and healthy new year and hopefully we'll all be celebrating small and big wins in 2021!

Hand Painted Bunhead Ornaments

This holiday season I launched a hand painted bunhead ornament collection in the shop and it occurred to me this morning, on Christmas Eve that I never featured them here on Fabulous Doodles! So in the spirit of the holiday I wanted to bring my little ladies to the blog. I've been drawing and painting tiny croquis (fashion figures) with buns atop their heads since I was in grade school. I even had my first art show at around 15 years old at a coffee house in my Long Island town featuring a small collection of a them. But this is the first time I've ever adorned them on ornaments. If you're familiar with my work or follow me on the gram I'm sure you've seen the bunheads pop up in my IG stories, drawn in digital videos and occasionally sketched over photos but painted onto ceramics is a first!

I had the ceramic ornaments handmade from a fellow Etsy artist out west and I am so pleased with the results! I wanted the pieces to be fully handcrafted and not store bought or from a mold. One of my favorite features of them is actually the back, where you can see the handmade touch in the swirl of the clay and my signature. (You can see details of the back in the listing detail photos!) I grew up with parents who were both potters so I have a thing for ceramics.

I used my tiniest brush for these little ladies, as their hands, feet and limbs are dainty and the little brush almost acts like a pen tip capturing the finest details. I also wanted as many ladies on each ornaments as I could. I've been documenting the ornament painting process on my Instagram stories and I saved them all the highlighted album titled Ornaments if you're interested and want to see the ornaments take shape. I hope my little beauties bring good vibes to your Christmas trees! There are still a couple left for you late shoppers. Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!...And to those who don't the ornament is still a nice decorative piece for the home. I'm one of them, and I have one hanging on my office mood board!

Fashion Illustration Gift Guide

As a Fashion Illustrator who's always creating and working with different clients and brands, I'm continually presented with new ways for fashion illustration to be enjoyed. And with the holidays in full swing now fashion illustrations make the perfect present for a multitude of recipients and I wanted to share my favorite gifts with you!

1. ART LOVER - The Print

Grab a gorgeous fashion illustration print of your choice to match the persons personality and decor! ($19 - $43)

2. INSTANT HEIRLOOM - The Hand Painted Ornament

Limited edition Bunhead Collection ornaments. Each hand painted ceramic ornament features different silhouettes posing and dancing about to brighten both your tree and your mood! Choose the one that will spark joy in your giftee! ($65)

3. PET PARENT - Pet Portrait

Any pet parent will melt when they see their fur baby has been captured in paint, marker and pencil as a forever keepsake to frame on their walls in a custom pet portrait! ($285)

4. GADGET QUEEN - Phone Case

We all have our phones in our hands 24/7 why not give them makeover? Pick a fashionable phone case to resemble your giftee! Is she a bride-to-be? There are bride cases! Is she a yogi? The yoga girls case is a best seller! --Plus get $10 off when you spent $40 & free S/H through link! ($25-50)

5. STOCKING STUFFER - Bookmark

A pretty little bookmarks makes the perfect little gift to drop in the mail to a teacher or as an add-on to a book purchase! It's also a great stocking stuffer for any fashion illustration lover when you're budget conscience. ($4.50)

I hope you enjoyed this gift guide and got some gift ideas! Throughout the year I send more shopping suggestions, behind the scenes of my studio and general goodness in my newsletter. So if you haven't already subscribed you can do so here!

Fabulous Doodles 2019 Gift Guide

It's been a few years since I've put together a gift guide but this year I thought I'd give it a go and share a few of my favorite things ranging from items I use everyday to new gadgets, client projects I've designed and the perfect little starter kit for the aspiring illustrator. I hope you like my little list and maybe it inspires you to shop for the creative girl in your life or better yet, add to your holiday want list!

1. For the boss babe: I received this gorgeous cup as a gift years ago and its been a stunning staple on my desktop ever since. Brass and moonstone cup by Addison Weeks adds an extra dose of glam to any desk, holding brushes, pencils, or a small bouquet.

2. Embossed "Feminist" 18k gold plated keyring. I have a similar one on my keys that I look at everyday while riding my elevator up to my apartment and I love it! Will make the perfect gift for your wing woman.

3. For the sentimentalist: Polaroid Lab Printer. The past few weeks I've had the pleasure of using this printer at Ferragamo events and I've been loving it! You can take and edit photos on your phone then once they're perfected place your iphone atop the printer and print an actual Polaroid! Its the best of both worlds.

4. For the Fashion Design Major: An Apple Pencil is something I've been teaching myself to use for the past few years. It takes some getting used to adjusting from pen and paper to digital but once you get the swing of it the possibilities are endless.

5. For the wine lover: Sociologie Blushing Rosé. My go to hostess gift for any party. I illustrated the whole Sociologie Wine line but the blushing rosé is by far my favorite.

6. For the entrepreneur: Acrylic Kate Spade business card holder. If the entrepreneur in your life is anything like me her card are show-off-ready so this card case is perfect!

7. For the fashion plate: Brooklit illustrated phone case. I change up my phone case pretty often but its always one from my illustration phone shop! Anyone on your shopping list who got the new iPhone will be in need of a new case. And if you use the link here you can get $10 off your first order and free worldwide shipping.

8. For the aspiring fashion illustrator: a fashion illustration starter kit, complete with a large sketchbook, my favorite mini travel sketchbook and a pack of my favorite skin tone Copic markers will always be a great gift because you can never have enough good supplies!

Previous posts to check out:

Chanel Custom Fashion Illustrations

Recently I had the pleasure of collaborating with Chanel, a brand that has been at the top of my fashion illustration client-wish-list for years. The Chanel team reached out to to me as they were planning something special for their Fine Jewelry VIP clients for Mother's Day. They invited top clients, along with their mothers and daughters, to view the new collection and choose favorite pieces. I then live-sketched custom fashion illustrations of them wearing their chosen Chanel pieces.

It was an invigorating day of back to back appointments meeting and drawing some lovely ladies. The highlight, and what made this day truly memorable, was one adorable little girl, Catherine (atop this post,) who was all dressed up especially for the occasion and was nothing short of mesmerized by my sketching. Long after her custom illustration was complete she stood by my side intensely watching me draw until her parents told her it was to time to go and she gave me a big parting hug. Later that night her father emailed me saying "she's had her pencils out all day, and I'm an inspiration." All in all live-sketching for custom mother-daughter fashion illustrations for Chanel was truly a pinch-me project.

Similar posts to check out:

Brooklit x Burberry | Custom Notecards

Last week I worked with Burberry again, this time at their flagship Manhattan store. It was a unique job, and a slight departure from my typical custom fashion illustrations I often do at client events. I was asked to do calligraphy, writing personalized notecards as a gift with purchase. It was Mother's Day weekend and Burberry hosted their VIP clients, so needless to say most of the sales were gifts for moms and customers were excited to be offered this special extra touch.

Between clients I painted little fashion silhouettes (as I often do! Tiny doodles like these have been adorning my notebooks for ages) using white calligraphy ink atop textured tan and gold embossed Burberry notecards (shown below.) After spotting them on my desk a few customers asked if I could add one to their cards as well, which I was happy to do.

It was a fun two days working with Burberry again. As a life-long artist and eternal art student I truly love using my hands and continually experimenting with different mediums. And of corse its even better when I get to do it with such a renowned luxury brand as Burberry!

Similar posts to check out:

Hamptons Magazine Sketches

Hamptons Magazine kicked off their very first Shop Hamptons page yesterday and I'm thrilled to say its adorned with Brooke Hagel sketches! Editor In Chief Samantha Yanks commissioned me to sketch out illustrations for the new page that each week will feature her top picks for Hamptons summer essentials of locally made products and artisan boutiques.

For the header I illustrated a quintessential Hamptons beach, dunes and all, with a girl laying out surrounded by her must-haves. I also drew a bunch of smaller illustrations to act as icons for categorizing the fab finds; shopping, home, beauty, food and wine. I'm excited to follow the page throughout the summer for all Samantha's spy luxe Hamptons treasures!

Sunglass Hut Custom Illustration Gifts

Custom fashion illustrations as Valentines were my month long project last month commissioned by Sunglass Hut and Ray-Ban and today I'm sharing a few of my favorites. Sunglass Hut gifted fashion bloggers and style influencers with frames from their newest collection then asked each recipient to strike a pose giving a kiss-face. The photos were sent to me and I sketched them up into custom illustrations that they framed and mailed to each influencer. The first illustration was of their spokesmodel, Georgia May Jagger (sketch shown above as well as styled in my studio in a sneak-peek photo I instagrammed a few weeks ago also shown at the bottom of this post.) Her wavy blond hair, bright fuchsia lips and round tortoise frames made ideal sketch inspiration.

Drawing while taking inspiration from fashion bloggers is always great, as they have such unique looks and are always so well styled and perfectly posed. And when working on a project like this, I'm often introduced to new ones to follow like the women sketched above: Urban Bush Babes Takenya and Cipriano Quann, Nicole Alyse and Jessi Afshin, The Darling Detail.

If interested in commissioning a considerable amount of custom illustrations for corporate gifts or an event, email fabulousdoodles@gmail.com for information and a quote.

Custom Illustration Surprise for Roselyn Sanchez

A few weeks ago I was contacted by actor Eric Winter to commission a custom fashion illustration of his gorgeous wife actress Roselyn Sanchez and their adorable daughter as a surprise Christmas gift. Eric did a little investigating as to his wife's favorite red carpet moments and we reviewed photos of both Roselyn and their daughter to pick looks that they both loved and best reflected the girls personalities, colors and attitudes.

I start custom illustrations with a batch of rough sketches for the client to review and choose a pose from (shown above left.) Originally the illustration was only to featured Roselyn and Sebi in their dresses but after Eric reviewed more of my work he asked if designer shopping bags could be added and possibly a Vogue magazine popping out, since I often illustrate for Vogue and it's a favorite of Ros'. I was happy to make the changes and did so in the next step, the polished line drawing (close-up shown above right.) Eric promptly approved the line drawing and I moved ahead to the final color rendering.

Eric had the illustration framed and surprised his girls Christmas morning. I was thrilled to hear it was a hit, Roselyn even instagramming and tweeting a picture saying she was "in love with her fab gift" and Eric said "you rocked it!" Needless to say working with Eric on this custom illustration was a pleasure! I loved the outcome and was so touched by the overwhelming response from them and their friends.

You can order a gift or commission your own custom illustration through my Etsy shops Brooklit and Brooklit Bride. There you will also see examples of my custom illustrations and can read more about the custom process.

A few more custom commissions you may like:

Happy New Year

Happy New Year and a big hello to 2015! I hope you all had a fabulous holiday season and are feeling refreshed and energized. Last year traveling quite a bit and being all around busy and chaotic, social media became a welcomed convenience in sharing what I was up to and sketches and projects that were in the works. I'm excited to refocus here, enrich the blog and work hard to make my dreams a reality this year with new collaborations, inspirations, and creative adventures. Cheers to a fresh start and new year!

Brooklit Holiday Sale

Its Cyber Monday over in my 2 Etsy shops and every fashion illustration item is on sale! With promo code "Holiday20" you can 20% off everything in shops. All fashion illustration prints, cell phone covers, notebooks, cards and gift tags. There are even some brand new items like hand painted glass Christmas ornaments and my new 2014 holiday card designs, including the sexy Mrs. Claus here.

So hop on over to my shops, Brooklit and Brooklit Bride, and use code "Holiday20" to start saving.
(Valid till midnight tonight!)

Inspired Weekend, Forth of July

My summer's off to a great start, after an incredible week in Spain celebrating my friend Will Taylor's wedding I came home just in time for July 4th celebrations including barbecues, bookends, bikinis and brushes. Yes, todays Inspired Weekend post is coming at you two days late, but better late than never right?!

1 & 2. This year I enjoyed the Macy's fireworks from a downtown rooftop with friends and family and thought what better hostess gift to bring with me to a July 4th BBQ than a bottle of Sociologie's Blushing Rosé Sangria adorned with my fashion illustration? It was certainly a hit and reminds me that I need to order more of these pretty bottles immediately.

3. Stocked up on my favorite Brooklit appropriate "B" bookends from Ikea on a spontaneous little drive out to Brooklyn to see a friends new apartment.

4. Sketched my friend, fashion and interiors blogger Arianna Trapani in my favorite look of her from our time in the Balearic Islands last week. I love her bikini and oversized beach hat look so much I couldn't resist drawing and have added the print to the shop!

5. When I travel I always try and stop into markets and house ware shops. I picked up these horse hair watercolor brushes in Madrid and was excited to break them in this weekend.

6. For a bright pop of color for the holiday weekend I gave myself a fresh mani using Essie's Capri, then to add a little sparkle for the 4th painted one accent finger with a topcoat of OPI's Only Gold For Me.

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!

Happy 5th Birthday Fabulous Doodles

In addition to being Memorial Day here in the US, today is also Fabulous Doodles' 5th birthday, aka my "blogiversary!" To commemorate the occasion last night I illustrated this girl sporting red, white and blue while kicking up her heels in celebration. Since I think she's a keeper, I've also added her to the shop if you'd like a print.

I honestly can't believe its been 5 years since I started Fabulous Doodles and began sharing my illustrations on a regular basis. At the time I was working full time as a product designer and thought starting a blog and Etsy shop would be a little side project. Becoming a full time independent fashion illustrator, working with iconic fashion brands including Vogue, Dior, and Hugo Boss, and being flown across the country to illustrate at events has been beyond a dream come true. In keeping with tradition here are some personal highlights of the past year:

Sketching for events for brands including Bobbi Brown, Lucky Brand, Dior, B. Brian Atwood, Dream Dry, Teen Vogue, Hugo Boss, Figleaves and Old Navy. I also flew out to LA to live sketch again, this time for a Pandora jewelry event for stylists and costume designers.
Continued receiving beautiful commissions for custom bridal illustrations, which have always been a favorite of mine to draw. I've also expanded my Brooklit Bride Etsy shop.
Began drawing children, starting with inspirational Instagrams of the adorable Sadie Yanks, daughter of Samantha Yanks Editor-in-Chief of Hamptons Magazine.
I was commissioned to draw large batches of fabulous fashion blogger inspired illustrations as custom gifts for Love Gold and Neutrogena.
Live sketched at New York Fashion Week for event sponsor Samsung and for the very first time sketched digitally with a stylus pen on a Samsung Pro tablet.
Illustrated a 4-book series and the publisher released an amazing video book trailer. The first of the series, Chloe by Design: Making the Cut, is now available for pre-order on Amazon!
Although this was very recent, attending the star studded press preview of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's newly named Anna Wintour Costume Center's Charles James exhibit was pretty spectacular and certainly a highlight of my year. (Even Nigel Barker agreed with me, it was quite the monumental fashion industry event!)

Thanks for following along and hopefully this year brings even more incredible client collaborations and pinch-me moments to share here on Fabulous Doodles.

Inspired Weekend

A peek into my inspired weekend of adding new fashion illustration prints to my Etsy shop, sketching dessert tables, and marathon watching a new show.

1. I've been giving my Etsy shop a little revamp with an infusion of new sketches and "Poodle Proud" here is a favorite just added. (I actually drew these two a few months ago and am happy to finally be sharing them.)

2. Silver sparkle pencils from the Michael's dollar bin. I ran in for a picture frame but came out with these and love them!

3. Sketched dessert table illustrations again this weekend for one of my favorite repeat clients, sweets stylist Amy Atlas. Since I can't share the new sketches just yet here is an older one I never posted. This wintry dessert table was designed for Anthropologie's holiday catalogue preview party.

4. This weekend, while sketching I dove into a new show (new to me that is) marathoning Scandal. I'm now officially obsessed with Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope. Her wardrobe is a stunning array of monochromatic looks of whites, grays and pale blush. From her jackets, coats, sweaters to her silk pajamas and even workout wear, its one beautiful look after the next. Ahh what I'd do for this fictitious closet.

I actually illustrated Kerry Washington on Miu Miu at last years Golden Globes but I just may have to do more now inspired by her Scandal character.

Hugo Boss Holiday Party Sketches

Last week I live-sketched at my first holiday party of the season for fashion and lifestyle brand Hugo Boss. It was their annual employee holiday party and was held downtown at VIP Room in New York's Meatpacking District. The Hugo Boss employees made fabulous models to sketch for the night and were all so enthusiastic about receiving a custom illustration even Hugo Boss CEO Mark Brasher (shown above, left) sat with me for a custom sketch of his own.

It was quite a large party and a line quickly formed for custom fashion illustrations that lasted the whole night but it was wonderful to meet and sketch all the chic Hugo Boss employees and I was so happy to be a part of their company celebration.

For more information about my event-sketching or rates to sketch fashion illustrations at your corporate event or private party you can email me at FabulousDoodles@gmail.com.

Annual Brooklit Etsy Sale

Its that time of year again, starting today Small Business Saturday through Cyber Monday you can get 20% off your entire purchase in both my fashion illustration Etsy shops: Brooklit and BrooklitBride by entering code "CYMBERMONDAY20" at checkout.

Stock up on fabulous doodle gifts from Brooklit and Brooklit Bride like notepads, cellphone covers and tote bags, holiday gift tags, cards and even signed fashion illustration prints. Happy shopping!

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