Category — illustration

Maldives and surfers – perfection! I was inspired by the talented Maldivian surfers to illustrate this surf beauty.

Hope you enjoy this one as well!

check out my facebook page for close-ups of this illustration

xoxo

Aloha! The title for this post clearly outlines what I’m about to write and you might go all ‘here we go again’ as ‘arm party’ posts could be considered archaic by now, in fashion terms…but I just couldn’t resist myself! Aren’t we all obsessed about the sparkly colorful stack up?As for myself… I’m totally loving the eclectic mix of bracelets, friendship bands and vintage watches. There’s so much fun to stacking up one’s arm with every little wrist ornament found in the jewelry box. Arm party is still sported by many women around the fashion capitals of the world. The term ‘arm party’ was coined by one of the coolest bloggers in the world Leandra Medine from Man Repeller! Kudos ! As the nocturnal being I’ve turned into in the past couple of days, made me once again indulge in painting more fashion illustrations. This time in water colors is a  model sporting a generous number of bracelets and god-knows-what else.Hope you enjoyed this one!

Have a Great Weekend everyone!

xoxo

All images are property of Famushu unless stated otherwise.

Illustration in Water colors

the stylish housewife

displaced urbanite

christenmitchellstyling

Its 4 am on a Friday morning and I just completed an illustration. My sleep deprivation sometimes gets the best (or the worst) out of me. Lately, I’ve had this small obsession with Stella McCartney’s Fall/Winter 2011 black number. This dress with it’s delicately placed polka dots on sheer black fabric achieves the ‘girly-ness’ and neatly nails the trend of prints and different patterns that have been dominating this year. My fingers itched to take up a paper and pencil and start immediately sketching a fashion illustration based on this lovely dress. I must add, the dyed hair is still so appealing, perhaps that’s why I’ve painted the model’s hair in rainbow tones.

All images are property of Famushu unless stated otherwise

A fashion illustration inspired by Stella McCartney's fall '11 black spotted number

stella mccartney fall 2011

dip dyed hair

Rio Rio Rio! The first thing we think about when we say Rio is the Rio Carnival; the colors the feathers the glitter, intricate masks, grand floats and the beautiful carnival dancers! Oh! and let us not forget that Brazil always leaves a sunny image in our minds, with the waves breaking onto a sandy beach drenched under a warm yellow sun and the women in skimpy bikinis strolling about…sigh. Perhaps that is why the swimwear edition of Rio Fashion week is most anticipated, non? Rio Fashion weeks are in fact always different, the colours are brighter the models, curvier and there’s a general ring to all the collections that seem to collectively cheer “Brazil La La La Laa Braazil!” Alas, I have never posted swim wear on FAMUSHU before and this will be the first of it’s kind (and psst… I know it’s a bit late to talk about swimwear fashion week, pardon me this time ). Swimwear has come a really long way from the early Greek times and its twisted and turned to take many forms design-wise,  that I’m preetty sure the alphabet for different design concepts and styles have run out! Alors, one Brazillian designer in particular blew me away with the sophistication she plays with her swimwear: Lenny Niemeyer. This talented designer who started off as a landscape architect is today, the most sought after luxury swimwear designer. Lenny’s recent 2012 collection just blew me away, it was sensuous, oozing sophistication and  ‘luxury’ was clearly emboldened. I love the way she played with the colors and design, it was cheerful and reminded of the sea and the Brazilian rain forest.   The haute couture cuts appeared flawless as it played to synchronize with the prints on the fabrics. Plush swimwear quotes :  “The use of new technology also stood out, particularly with the incorporation of the laser-cutting technique (e.g. precision-placed slits within the feathered patterns), as well as the textured snakeskin in some suits”. Take a look at the outfits closer, there is detail – not too much, just enough to keep the customer wanting more. Imitating glass spikes and spines, the jewelry for the show was unique and played a huge part in maintaining the concept.                                                         Further on, there was a reasonable array of options to choose from,bikini’s, one piece swimsuits, skirts, shirts, maxi’s and more. Wishing Lenny Niemeyer all the best and a happy 20th Anniversary! images from here

An impressive number of over 200 designers presented their resort collections this year; there was lace, prints, hot colors and florals (to name a few of the significant themes this year) it seemed like a neatly packed chocolate box filled with a delectable variety to choose from! The very bright rainbow colored dresses at the opening of this post are that of Christopher Kane resort 2012 (ofcourse not to forget, the illustration is done by hand and with pencil colors!). Kane’s collection was more exploratory as the style presented was meant to stand-out from the crowd, rather than having a rich relaxed aura which is the root style of resort collections. His collection seemed to transport one into a futuristic world of robo-humans, thus the sketch with two half human robots… navigating (perhaps?):P. Kane and his sister Tammy Kane were both behind this “Taste the rainbow” collection, and promises that “There’s something here for the fashion girl, for the office girl, and the older woman. We’ve really had a chance to think about doing all of that now.” Vogue.com

Gucci

Louis Vuitton

Givenchy

Who said wearing prints from H to T (head to toe) is archaic? This time, designers such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Phillip Lim hope to dress the ladies in bold yet intricate prints. There’s a new sophisticated air about wearing prints and perhaps Stella McCartney epitomizes this theme with her mirrored images print on shirts and sleek cropped trousers.

Stella McCartney

Thakoon

As if directly implying that resort wear are all about the sun and sea, this year rays of pale yellow brightens up collections  by Thakoon and Emilio Pucci.

Michael Kors

Alexander Wang

And the bright and bold dresses by Michael Kors and Alexander Wang imitated scuba suits – perfect to splash in some sophistication into the wardrobe!

Mulberry

Balenciaga

And while cruising, perhaps the perfect accessory would be a visor, most commonly related to sports like tennis and golf this accessory has now become a must have fashionable item to sport on a luxury cruise!

Pucci

Christian Dior

One word:Hot pink! Compliment the bright and bold outfits or a simpler floral number with a hot pink show stealer! One could just stand there drooling over this sizzling number by Emilio Pucci.

Laced - Lanvin

Laced - Alberta ferretti

Here are a few other pics from this year’s resort collection.

Color blocking - Proenza Schouler

Color blocking - Bottega Veneta

Boxy vest - Phillip Lim

Boxy vest - Acne

Images via fashionologie.  All of you who are cruising the hot spots around the world: Have fun - fashionably! xoxo

Oui! C’est vrai! C’est le festival de Cannes où toutes les stars portent de jolie robes avec le bijou glacial et des smoking tuxedos. The festival will go on for ten days in the resort town of Cannes in South of France and it is a feast for the eyes for fashionistas, the fashion police and most of all for the fans. Fashion for relief a charity founded by model Naomi Campbell has organized several fashion shows with celebrities for different causes and has stated that they have raised around more than four and a half million dollars. This time in Cannes Naomi and fellow friend and editor of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani hosted a Fashion For Relief catwalk show on May 15 to help raise funds for victims of the recent earthquakes in Japan. Celebrities such as Jane Fonda, Karolina Kurkova and Yasmin Le Bon walked the runway in glamourous robes.

Model Ai Tominaga on the runway.

There was a bit of humor in the show when many celebrity models and actresses tripped and fell on the catwalk. Here top model Lindsay Wixon tripped&fell not only once but several times!

Jane Fonda and models cheer at the end of the show

Alors, as for the celebrities who walked the Cannes tapis rouge : I’ve picked some stylish celebrities for this post, check ‘em out

No Cannes festival is complete without the celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Rachel McAdams wearing an embroidered red silk organza and tulle dress by Marchesa, arrives for the screening of 'Midnight in Paris' and the opening ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival with co-star Michael Sheen and director Woody Allen .

Diane Kruger at the 'Sleeping Beauty' premiere in a custom Calvin Klein Collection gold beaded dress, designed by Francisco Costa, the brand's creative director. Kruger is currently the face of Calvin Klein Beauty.

Cheryl Cole looked stunning in a white Stephane Rolande number with a plunging neckline

Tilda Swinton in custom made Haider Ackerman looks breathtakingly stunning!

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing wowed the crowds in an Oriental style strapless gown at the screening of 'Midnight in Paris' and the opening ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival.

South Korean actress and model Gianna Jun en Ralph Lauren.

Voici une illustration que j’ai dessinée, inspiré par les beautés Cannes avec  des icy diamants.

an illustration inspired by the Cannes beauties

Till then A+ xoxo images par ici et ici

F/W RTW 2011

S/S RTW 2011

S/S RTW 2010

images via style.com

A long parade of slender models struts down the runway of Paris fashion week A/W 2012, wearing tailored outfits in a contemporary vibe and imitating a youthful carefree draping of fabric with modern cuts and crazy mashing of colors and textures; as the final model disappears a newbie to the fashion industry might expect a young designer in his/her 20’s to pop out eventually…but it is a confident lady in her 70’s with a shock of bright red hair -Vivienne Westwood – who takes her bow finally.  The designer who is aka the ‘queen of punk’ is still vivid in her career celebrating 40 years in the industry.   Westwood’s involvement in the punk era of the 1970’s and her infamous “World’s End” store in London (which she opened along with her then-husband Malcolm Mclaren) created a wild wave in the fashion industry, as she took her rebellious punk inspirations to the catwalks of London and Paris fashion weeks. Westwood’s rise to fame also attributed to the fact that she dressed the band members of Sex Pistols – during the period when Mclaren managed the popular band.

rough sketch of dame Vivienne Westwood

´She has since produced some of fashion’s most famous pieces (including the 1981 slouchy pirate boots still in production today, to the structured mini-crini of 1985), and been part of the industry’s most memorable moments – from Naomi Campbell falling from a pair of her towering purple platforms in 1994 to accepting her OBE from the Queen – while wearing no knickers. image via

Naomi's famous fall in Vivienne's 9 inch heels

Known for her empowering, uber-feminine shapes and signature tartan, she was this week named Britain’s Greatest British Fashion Designer in a poll conducted by Greenall, notching up 24 per cent of the public vote’. – Vogue uk

the queen of punk in 2009

Westwood is a huge inspiration to me her clothes are sensuous, humorous, rebellious and always makes a statement. She is not only a fashion designer but actively takes part to raise awareness regarding climate change. 70 years young, Vivienne Westwood, I really hope you keep doing what you do, keeping your fashion audience at the edge of their seats! And as long as the queen is in da house Punk is nevah gonna die

Happy Birthday Vivienne Westwood!!  xx

It was shocking to hear the news and see the first images of the destructive tsunami that hit Japan. It was horrifying .The tsunami catastrophe was one of the largest that hit Japan in its history of earthquakes. The monstrous wave had wiped away millions of homes and families. And to top it all the nuclear power plant explosion has created an even greater fear. The  beautiful country of Japan we all know of, a country with warm people, greatly disciplined with a beautiful tradition and culture, sushi’s and samurai’s !…Japan  is now in a state of crisis.  I pray for God’s blessings for Japan. May the people of Japan find the courage and strength to move forward in peace and confidence. Let us all pray together and help Japan.

This illustration and photoshop-ing was a rush job...but my deepest and heartfelt prayers are sincerely with the people of Japan

xoxo

working on a collage art piece

I’m working for my solo exhibition 24×7 nowadays and I thought it’s only fair that I share some of the pieces with my Famushu readers from time to time! The art exhibition is about ‘fashion’ and I will be exhibiting different kinds of art pieces and will display work using techniques such as water color, pencil colors, tempera and mixed medium. Fashion illustration itself is a very broad form of art that gives the artist full liberty to use any technique whether it be water color or collages using different materials.

I always drift away into the world of collages when making collage art pieces. The possibilities of creating outrageous and beautiful imagery is just infinitive! But one must have these two key ingredients to achieve a successful piece : “Imagination” & “Creativity”! Pour cette post I’ve put up a picture of the collage; made with selected magazine clippings, cut into forms to suit the final image, painted certain areas and one eye is pencil colored on a separate paper and included on the final piece later. I love to go through many experiments before I achieve the ultimate final art work. Hence this collage piece is among those experiments that I had made under this particular technique.

"JUST SMILE" 2010 - collage, using magazine clippings, tempera and pencil colors

Goofing around with magazine cut outs!

Well then lovelies, i will be posting some more works soon, till then A’bientot! xoxoxo

Hello everyone! Ah! Yes I am back again with some hot trendy news right off the fashion oven! This time the limelight is on the silk turban and turband!

worked on an illustration for the turban trend

(Please empathize with me on the amateur quality of this illustration, as this is the first time I’ve used adobe to color one of my works in detail) I always see the turban as an accessory synonymous with women who are confident and elegantly poised. I’ve posted here some pics from the recent runway collections and from the stylish streets of NYC and London. Pictures from here, here, here and here. Mind you, the runway and street pictures could be deceiving; the ladies could be all glowing wearing the turban/ turband but it is a difficult look to pull off, you need to accessorize carefully with the right garments, even tying the turban requires a bit of a skill and most of all… you’ve got to carry it well! You could donne a lovely balloon sleeve cotton shirt and black harem pants, accessorize your look with   a turban or turband and you will achieve a simple chic look! Before we get all carried away with turban styles let’s take a short trip down fashion’s memory lane. The turban is known as a classic piece in a woman’s wardrobe.  Paul Poiret (1879–1944), known for his exquisite designs, dressed women in elegant silks made them feel confident and beautiful; he often used the turban in his designs and j’adore his illustrations of Persian princesses in starlit nights…sigh!

pics from here, here and here. Turbans were a must-have accessory in the 70’s and the 80’s as well. So that’s it from here now, hope you will try out the turban! If you need help in styling a look with a turban don’t hesitate to bug me!

got hold of some vintage 70's magazines