Category — illustration

A big Thank you to everyone who voted and commented! I really appreciate it. Although, I didn’t get the big prize I am grateful and happy to have the support and encouragement of all my friends and family members. This competition had been a good experience and as it’s said “the show must go on” I will be working towards my ‘bigger prize’ and with all your love and support I hope to achieve it very soon.

Love you all xoxoxo

Finally, after a really long wait, I found out that my illustration is uploaded on the Marie Claire Concurso site. Phew! I was absolutely anxious before, checking my mails every now and then. The Marie Claire competition is open to anyone around the globe to submit a fashion illustration under the theme ‘Ethnic’  for the Spring Summer trend of 2010. One of the conditions is, that it should be drawn only by the natural skill of one’s hand – means you cannot use any computer software to create the illustration. There are almost a thousand illustrations sumbitted, and I am representing Maldives-in fact I am the only Maldivian at the moment !  The winner gets a scholarship to study a summer course on Illustration – Idea, Concept and Image with a 100% grant which also includes accommodation. There will be three winners and their illustrations will be published on the Marie Claire magazine, June and July issue.

Well, here’s me working on the sketch some weeks ago.

My mediums were pencil and water colors. The inspiration behind my work and how I visualize the ‘Ethnic’ Spring Summer trend of 2010 is written on my page.

So my dear Famushu readers please vote for me and drop a comment. I need your support to win this competition. A big Thank you for all of you who have already voted! And keep voting everyone!

xxx

Here’s the link to my illustration page:

http://marieclaire.iedbarcelona.es/participation/ethnic-celebration_349.html

fast sketch - 80's look

I used pencil colours to make this sketch and it is inspired by the 80’s looks, with the make-up and big earrings reminiscent of the 80’s Joan Collins.

Joan Collins 80's

image credits

A sketch: 'in harmony with nature' - hoping that the cop15 summit becomes effective

The COP15 summit has begun at Copenhagen, Denmark  and everywhere around the globe the same voice “save our planet – seal the deal” echoes.  My home Maldives is one of those helpless and fragile countries that are  at the frontline to be affected by global warming, at this very moment we can only hope that the COP15 summit becomes effective, ‘cos the responsibility rests on the shoulders of those countries who emit large amounts of CO2. However, each one of us should take the responsibility to care and nurture for our mother earth – switch off the lights, chargers etc if you are not using ‘em, plant more trees and walk, ride a bicycle or use public transport systems : opt for a ‘greener life’ everyone.

I have always loved jewellery and making them has always been a passion for me, besides designing clothes and illustrating that is. Although, I haven’t done any professional jewellery designing as yet,  it is a small scale/ home made thing for me at the moment (you must have already seen by now, the accessories I made posted on Famushu). I remember, my dad making small bracelets with beads and leather strings and I would sit beside him watching him carefully arrange each bead. I suppose that is how I really got inspired and got into making little ornaments on my own. Today, I manage to  get some time off and do research on what is hip in the accessory world. And as I was googling I spotted the works of jewellery designer Rachel Roy, she is quite a celebrity and was re-known as the wife of Damon Dash the hip hop businessman (they are now  divorced after a 4 year marriage). Her designs are worn by many celebrities and featured on magazines like Harpers Bazaar and Marie Clair.

rachel roy's jewellery inspired me this sketch

Her site  Rachel Roy has some really lovely accessories along with her clothing line. The necklaces and earrings shown  had this look of modern coolness, I loved the spiked earring and necklace especially. Her collection definitely had a punk twist in it. I’ve posted some pics below for you to see.

Necklaces by Rachel Roy. I have a big crush on that dark silver spiked one – it’s coolness is at nirvana.

These are so funky and lovely-spread the peace and love eh?

Her earrings are so cool and elegant. I am sure that any girl would want a piece from her collection.

Rachel Roy is and looks like she will be the queen of jewellery designing for the many fashionable years to come. Her ever youthful collection is an inspiration to me and for other fashion students too.  To work with her would be a dream opportunity for sure

a fashionable take on a sailor's uniform

I got an invitation for a reception at the French navy ship BCR Somme last Monday and it was one of the best experiences ever. As an étudiante studying in Alliance Française in Male’ I was thrilled to meet the captain and the rest of the ship crew members. It had rained earlier in the day and the sea was a little rough , making it difficult to get aboard on the ladder (and I was hoping I won’t slip and fall into the sea and be in an embarassing situation). So , I was relieved to be safely onboard and was greeted by the ship captain clad in white uniform and a big warm smile: “Bonsoir et bien-venue à notre bâteau”, he greeted.  We moved on to the area where all the guests were drinking juices and eating small crispy biscuits decorated with cheese and cherries.  With our French language teacher  and a lieutenant as our tour guide we explored the ship, going through the maze like corridors and climbing the steel ladders to new compartments. As we stood at the bridge of the ship with the windy breeze blowing gently against us, we saw the small Male’ at a distance; lit beautifully with its city lights against the cramped buildings and the mosque standing grand and golden. It was a wonderful feeling and I wondered what it would be like to be a sailor and be away from home. As we had to go back to Male’ in our speed boat, I felt like staying a little longer  and I also realised how much more of French I still needed to learn, hehe. This is definitely one of the most memorable experiences ever. C’est certainement une des expériences les plus mémorables.

my old vogue magazines

Ok, so here’s the Big Q: how many of you had seen the movie “Devil wears Prada”? Well, I’m pretty sure most of you must have seen the movie based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger (a former assistant of Anna Wintour).  But this September the real devil is out in flesh – straight from the core of Vogue US head office. Just when you thought that you were safe eh?

The documentary by R.J Cutler ‘An experience he describes as “hell”’ –according to dazed digital is to be premiered around selected cities this month.

“The September Issue” brings to public eye what was unseen before, to be scrutinized, criticized or hailed by an eager audience. The Vogue editor of 20 years for the fashion bible – Anna Wintour and her most trusted work colleague and creative director Grace Coddington will be seen preparing for the much awaited September Issue of Vogue magazine.  Why is the September issue so anticipated? Well, here’s the thing: the Vogue issues every month and in a yearly cycle there’s always one issue that is especially anticipated more than the others- this time it’s the issue of September.  The word has gotten around that the documentary shows a clear portrayal of the ruthless ‘ice princess’, but also shows a more mellow side of Anna as being a mother to her daughter, a sister and daughter to the former editor of Evening Standard. The relationship with creative director Grace Coddington who has been working alongside Anna for 20 years is also explored in the movie and though Grace is seen as a softer considerate character compared to the frosty ice princess -the difference in characteristics hardly hinder their work instead the result of their team effort is interestingly successful.

Thus it’s said that the September issue is more about work; about the ways individuals compete with, grate against and inspire one another in the workplace.

Like it or Hate it. “September issue” is a list topper of must-see fashion films, a film about Anna Wintour’s influence in the making of Vogue and Fashion itself and about the hardworking, dedicated and creative team behind her: this is one movie that cannot be missed indeed.

Anna Wintour: "You aren't a bad person because you wear Carolina Herrera or J. Brand jeans."

notebook doodles

silvers and sketches

Silver has made a comeback as the ‘it’ accessory with a zest of rock n’ roll in it this time, dominating the accessories of fashion houses like Gucci, Balmain and Roberto Cavalli with their jackets and handbags being adorned with hardware studs. Silver studs (also seen in Bronze/gold) seem to overthrow any other metallic form of adornment; studs have been seen in forms of pyramids, conical and round, blinging bags, clutches shoes bracelets and belts. Plus the increase of DIY (the ‘DIY DNA‘ found in many of us – the tendency to change the original product one has by adding new ornaments to it) has brought this current trend into a bigger focus.  For a most part silver accessories like that of chains with army tags, rings with eagle talons and earrings in a more goth-influence is now highly fashionable. Further on, the silver studs and rocker chic jewellery is apt and wearer-friendly for all ages (but if worn sensibly and not over-do i.e.). I have posted images of some accessories in silvers and studs. Plus, I was doing some doodling inspired by the trend (the doodling is less of a doodle and more of careful shading though) so they are posted for you all to see.

image via closet couture

image via polyvore.com

eddie borgo bracelets

image via chictopia.com

earring wiht skull from chictopia

image via chictopia.com

stepehen webster ring

image via dress on fire

Balmain studded dress

image via chictopia

original sin bracelet

image via purseblog.com

bally-studded-top-handle

image via jak and jil

givenchy haute couture in paris fashion week-one of the most amazing shows

image via jak and jil

a pair of jimmy choo's that are absolutely fabulous

image via trendmill.com

a studded black number that jessica biel wore

image via chictopia

image via chictopia

by bird skulls

image via polyvore.com

studded gladiator sandals

image via polyvore.com

image via polyvore.com

a studded variety

image via polyvore.com

studded belt

A couple more notebook doodles-inspired by the stud trend

spike-studded and black - a more gothic twist

a scaly reptilian skin with spikes - from another dimension

Hope this post will inspire to bring some silver studs or silver jewellery into your wardrobe (goes for guys and girls )

Bonne journée everyone

"say miaow girls!"

Strangely, most women of Maldives choose to wear the burkhaa in a style that is paradoxical to what it is expected of burkhaa attire. Slim Pencil jeans, body-tight jersey tops, shiny accessories and a tight chiffon burkhaa around the head are ‘stylish’ according to them. But ‘stylish’ can be in a decent form too, like the Arabs or the Malaysians: they do dress fashionably and in a modern sense yet they do not look like they are going for a swim in their ‘burkini’. I believe that these Maldivian women should realize that the whole point of wearing a burkhaa and abiding to the Muslim dress-code is to cover the figure in a decent manner and not expose every curve of the female form in a body suit similar to the cat woman!

Above  are some decent burkhaa styles (pictures taken from Hegab-Rehab blog). I like the beige pants with the kaftan (ideal for work too). It is elegant and sophisticated, the black one suits well for evening occasions. Hegab-rehab blog has some really helpful uploads of how-to’s of wearing burkhaa with some of her own colour coordination’s for you girls. Check out the link

"hold on missy, i'll get this for ya"

Talking about corsets in the post on Chanel, I thought of illustrating a scene (in a more ironic way of course) that was typically seen during that era (mainly from the 18^th till the 19^th c.) when wearing a corset was considered fashionable and beautiful. It was worn to accentuate an hourglass figure for the ladies, and a slim waist with a lot of tight lacing was achieved with the help of an extra pair of hands. And it is common knowledge that the corsets tend to be the worst enemy for women, since a lot of women faint during the summers and never engage in active sports when in their corsets. I suppose the saying is true ‘beauty comes with a cost’.