A Silk Shirt

Sometimes all you need is the palest silk shirt paired with a soft tailored pant ... that's all.

Illustration by me

Midweek Impression

Have you seen any of the NY Fashion Shows yet?  I've been out and about these past couple of days that I've missed the thread of what's going on to date.

A nice way to catch up is by taking in some gorgeous illustrations by Bil Donovan, sent to cover the Rosie Assoulin Spring 2015 runway show by The Cut.

Lovely aren't they?  More picture via the link below.

Illustrations by Bil Donovan

Via The Cut

In between...

It's that funny in between weather today; you know the one, layer up with a scarf and jacket in the morning only to be taking the layers off to a t-shirt by midday.

It must be Spring in Melbourne right?  Well, today anyway.

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts...

Illustration by me

Makes Perfect Scents...

Don't you love receiving a new perfume as a gift?  Do you have a perfect scent that reminds you of something or transports you to faraway place?

Just a little something I've been dabbling in...

Illustrations by me

Spring Painterly Style

I can't help it... these illustrations by Mats Gustafson just sing to me... more images from the Swedish illustrator, this time for the Dior Spring 2014 campaign.

(Remember these illustrations from Dior Fall, and Dior Mens...)

Enjoy the day...

Illustrations Mats Gustafson for Dior Spring 2014
Via FGR

Painterly Mens Style

You might know my love for fashion illustrations?  It's not new... but I like to share when I find something new...

More from Mats Gustafson - Spring 2014 Menswear this time... and oh so cool!

Calvin Klein

Missoni

Hermes

Canali

Illustrations Mats Gustafson

For WSJ magazine

Painterly Style

You know I love a good fashion illustration (who doesn't), so when I happened across these beauties I had to share.

Commissioned by the house of Dior, Mats Gustafson has offered his interpretation of the Dior Fall/Winter 2013 and Cruise 2013 collections.

Just scroll through and let these beautiful ethereal images sink into your subconsciousness for today; trust me it'll bring a sense of calm and serenity to your day whatever you may be doing.

Aren't they just gorgeous?

Via FGR

He came, He saw, He conquered...Bil Donovan...

Remember the fabulous Bil Donovan Illustration Masterclass I attended during the recent LMFF in Melbourne last month, well I still haven't come completely down to earth and every image I see now has me thinking about shapes and shadow and form and lines... funny how things stay with you.

And it was all thanks to the determination of Melbourne Illustrator Angie Rehe as an extension of The Patsyfox Drawing Salon that the ball got rolling in the first place.  Angie, (an old illustration tutor of mine) being a big fan of internationally acclaimed Bil Donovan, sent off an email to his office and got to visit him in his Tribeca studio last year during a whirlwind around the world trip.  As one conversation led to another, plans were made for Bil to visit our shores and lead a group of very lucky participants in an Illustration Masterclass for 2 days.  (That was two very full days!)

I had previously watched Bil at an illustration demonstration at the Society of Illustrators in NY and at another NY Gallery via YouTube  (you thought I was going to say I was actually there didn't you!), and there are other videos of him talking about his work and his inspiration and if you have a chance just do a search online here to see some of them.  But being able to be in the same room with a creative talent like Bil means that you can revel in his enthusiasm and creativity and bask in his warmth and generosity as he guides participants through different media and styles and really, a different way of 'seeing'.  And if you're lucky, he'll wield the brush or pencil in front of you and within a few seconds produce a fabulous sketch using his elegant and refined brushwork.  Which he did a couple of times during the weekend and made it look sooooo easy too!  Bil also held an illustration demonstration at the LMFF Business Seminar while he was here - see link below.

Talking to other participants during the weekend, ranging from fashion students, professional illustrators, illustration teachers, artists - everyone seemed to be enamoured of Bil and his creative skills.  His personable and approachable manner made the teaching part really easy to understand; his flair and style with a pencil and brush made the practical part easy to convey and easy for us to absorb; and his generosity with feedback and telling a participant when they 'got it' was warmly welcomed and exciting!  Imagine having access to an internationally acclaimed Fashion Illustrator and Artist from New York for a whole weekend and basically being able to pick his brain about technique and style (if you're into that sort of thing!).  We're talking about someone who is the current Artist in Residence at Christian Dior Beauty, who also teaches Fashion Illustration at F.I.T. in New York, who has worked with some prestigious clients like Vogue, Lancome, Christian Dior, who is the author of "Advanced Fashion Drawing/Lifestyle Illustration" , and who was commissioned to create the illustrations of a couple of publications - Edith Head's 'The Dress Doctor, Prescriptions For Style From A to Z" and "Birds of a Feather Shop Together - Aesop's Fables for the Fashionable Set".  None too shabby hey?

So what did I take away from the weekend... well, as someone who has been sketching, drawing, drafting for years (I can't remember not drawing or being in love with yet another set of Derwents or new paintbrushes!), from little fashiony figures I used to sketch for my high school art class (that's going way back), to designing clothing ranges for my studio work (years ago) and one off bridal commissions where the bride wants to keep my sketches, and most recently doing little portraits of my friends kids (so cute!)... I take away with me a different way of looking at things really - freeing it up and not being afraid to splash out and make a mess and loosening the control hold.  Not having a preconceived notion, I think, is Key.  Even trying a different medium will open yourself up to a new style to explore (Hello, ink I love you!) - you never know where it'll lead you... as I say to my little one when he doesn't want to try a new vegetable -"Prova -  just try it and you might like it".  

Why don't you try something you've been wanting to start this coming weekend too?

That my friends is how I tell a story... if I don't emote enough it's because I babble on occasion!

Check out more of Bil's work via his website - Bil Donovan /
or the video of our masterclass weekend appearing on Vogue here (my 2 seconds of fame are at 1.47!) / or the video of Bil's talk during the Business Seminar at LMFF here /
check out the illustration he made of a stunning Dion Lee outfit for Fashion Week which will appear in Vogue soon here /
and Angie Rehe's illustration blog here.

And now you're gonna wanna see some pictures right?

The wonderful images below are by photographer Rebecca Rocks who spent Saturday with us in the drawing room.   Look, there is a very concentrated look on my face. 

C'est Moi, in full concentration mode to the left of Bil's elbow - and generous Bil giving out some tips and feedback

The necessities, pencils, cough drops, mints, sharpener - concentrating again 

Moving onto ink work - Hi Angie!

Our salon - and the lovely live model, Courtney

Did I mention I had a great time? :)

In The Schedule

Hope you're planning a relaxing weekend, because, well you deserve it - we all do really.  I'd love to say that I plan to stay at home with some homemade soup and several cups of hot tea with lemon battling this headcold ... but no, I have plans!  Plans I say... and big ones!

This week Melbourne has come alive with international visitors and cameras for the L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.  Runway shows have been held every night, business seminars on Wednesday and Thursday with international guests sharing their wisdom, thoughts and ideas from globalization of fashion, to the internet, to marketing, to trends.  You might remember this time last year I was lucky enough to get some tickets to a couple of events (see here), but this year I've been a bit under the weather ... except for the pre purchased tickets I was fortunate enough to secure to the Illustration Masterclass with Bil Donovan.   Coaxed over the blue waters by Angie Rehe (Melbourne Illustrator and an old Illustration teacher of mine), Internationally renowned Bil Donovan will be running a 2 day masterclass in the beautiful Abbotsford convent over the weekend.  It's all very exciting.

I'll be the participant up in the back somewhere surrounded by inks, paints, brushes and cough drops and cups of tea...Think of me!

Collette Dinnigan at this week's LMFF runway #1

To say that I might be feeling slight inadequate might be an understatement so in the meantime, I've been practising my brushstrokes...

Dior Spring2013

Donna Karan Fall 2013

Marni Spring 2012

+  Let's admire some couture shall we... photographed by Gianluca Fontana for Harpers Bazaar Turkey with a grungey vibe (everything old is always new right?)  More images via FGR.

+  Loved this gorgeous dreamy video for Matthew Williamson 'turning 15' I found via BusyBeingFabulous this week.   A funny cameo by Sienna Miller at the end of it too. 

+  Check out an inside view of Fashion Designer Karen Walkers home in New Zealand - a modern, fun environment for the whole family.  Via Inside Out here.

+  Need some advice on how to navigate those weird hiccups that appear as you travel down your path?  Well just listen to Diane... that's Diane Von Furstenberg... she is writing an advice column for The Cut and here she tells us how to deal with negative energy.    I think it'll go something like smile, focus on you, and walk tall - seems to work for the runway girls at the recent shows.

+  Let's not forget it's Easter next week, so I'll be focussing on all my chocolate intake next week with an attempt at my own Homemade Dark Chocolate Eggs.....mmmmm.  View recipe here via Australian House & Garden.  I've made chocolate decorations before, but nothing as elaborate or 3D such as an egg!  

Have a brilliant weekend everyone... I'm planning on one too!

In The Schedule

It's finally cooled down over here (yay) so that means no more perching oneself in front of the air conditioner and trying to avoid frizzy hair with the heat and humidity outside.  Fingers crossed for a quiet and relaxing weekend and a brunch with friends and sharing my favourite Tarte au citron!

Time to hook up with some links I found this week on my travels -


+  Loved this dreamy looking editorial Karl Lagerfeld lensed for the April issue of Vogue Germany with his muse Stella Tennant channelling a decidely 'fin de siecle' drama and grace.  More images here.

 + Speaking of Karl...this is the funniest interview with Karl Lagerfeld the day after the Chanel Fall 2013 runway by Laura Brown of US Harpers Bazaar - there's dryness, wit, tongue in cheek and a little bit of control freak going on - you can be the judge.  Karl talks about being 'beyond temptation', eating only steamed vegetables and fish, a resemblance to Angelina Jolie, and what he would do if he were invisible for day.  Very funny stuff.  More here via Pages Digital.

+  A little more Chanelness... the 'Inside Chanel' series takes us 'Inside the Jacket'.  Archival footage of the birth of the iconic Chanel boucle jacket, what bought it's masculine/feminine appeal to light, and how Madame Chanel revolutionised women's wardrobes from it's inception.  You can also view some original drawings from King Karl himself.  Via here.

+ Speaking of illustrations, take a look at archival drawings by Jeanne Lanvin for her first children's line which caused a 'frenzy' when introduced early last century.  Refined and sweet (my childhood never looked like this!), they certainly hark back to another era with the handmade collection featuring bows, ribbons, frills, daisy patterns and classic lines. (Ok, so I did have handmade... but not like this!)   More images via VogueFr here.

+  The rise of the Hollywood Stylist... like all things fashion who could predict that today's stylist are as 'big' and well known as the celebrities they dress.  Well there's even a top 25 list according to the Hollywood Reporter here.   Well even the stylists look super styled next to their client don't you think (look at J.Lo's gorgeous looking stylists!).

Julianne Moore & Leslie Fremar

+  But if you would like to align your style with a Gallic bent, then look no further than this Hardback title, French Style by Assouline.  I love the blurb..."With dynamic photographs juxtaposing concepts from haute couture and scientific advancements to pop stars and popular culture, French Style is as sophisticated as the nation it celebrates"... awww and I thought we were sophisticated over here?

+ And then to end the weekend, I'm going to look at this scrumptious Dark Chocolate Chiffon cake with Rosewater frosting and just admire it... no eating, no baking,... just look.  After all,  I've got a decidely frenchy, looking good in what you wear kind of theme going on today!  But if you'd like recipe then head over to Sweetapolita for a fix!

Wishing you a fabulous weekend with your loved ones...xx

Dressing Room style

I'm working on a wall in my home inspired by this image below -  just some oversized fashion plates mounted high on the wall in a cosy corner of the bedroom.

The work of Interior Designer Miles Redd... luxe, casual, insouciant and chic.  Isn't that a gorgeous dressing room area for the inner fashionista?

Hope your week gets off to an inspiring start too.

Image via Miles Redd

The Red Carpet

Did you get your fix of red carpet arrivals today at Academy Awards ceremony?  I missed the actual show but managed to see some arrivals online and there were probably only two (perhaps 3), standouts for me.

Amongst all the metallics, white, cream and blush tones I loved Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts this year.

Charlize because she just rocked that simple, elegant gown with her fabulous new cropped hair and Naomi because she shone in her silvery, metallic Armani Prive gown with that asymmetrical bodice.  Both ladies wore gowns that were quite flattering on them - it's that simple.  Also Amy Adams in that pale grey Oscar De La Renta was really cute (I can't seem to download that image!).  Who was your favourite?

Congratulations to all the winners ... and now I'm waiting for the re-run which will be on later this evening!

Have a great night.


PS:  can't wait to see the gowns at the after parties too!

Illustrations by me

Structural, Elegant, Felted Wool

Bold silhouettes, a minimal graphic palette, and sweeping architectural details were used when Dion Lee presented his collection as nominee for the International Woolmark competition which was recently held during London Fashion Week.

The details are intricate, the finish meticulous and the shapes elegant.  That's what you get when you mess with Felted Wool!  

Congratulations to the winner, Belgian Christian Wijnants who was chosen by a panel of judges including Franca & Carla Sozzani, Victoria Beckham, Donatella Versace and Diane von Furstenberg.  (Although I can't find enough information about the winning designs.. I think it was a thick, chunky knitted jumper).

Illustration by me
Photos above and more images via Vogue Aus