Style inspiration doesn’t only come from celebrities, bloggers or designers. It also comes from fashion illustrators, who use their artistic skills to create trends on paper. Illustrations play an important role for designers too as they have to sketch the garment before bringing it to life. This type of fashion communication has existed for centuries before photography came into existence. However, when the latter took over, the former wasn’t seen very often. But today, we live in a digital world where every creative person can showcase their work online.
Thanks to Instagram, there’s a plethora of artists who love to show trends not on themselves but on their artboard. They each have their unique style, making them distinct from one another. If you’re a budding artist looking for inspiration and ideas during this quarantine period, take a look at my fave fashion illustrators on the ‘gram. They deserve a follow fo sho.
Here’s a list of fashion illustrators I love and follow diligently:
1. Megan Hess
Megan got her first break when she was hired to illustrate all the previous copies of Candace Bushnell‘s best selling book, Sex And The City. The publisher was impressed by her work in one of the copies of Italian Vogue. Since then, the Australian fashion illustrator has only climbed up the ladder in her career. She works for luxury brands such as Dior, Fendi, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Montblanc, Givenchy, Valentino, Balmain, Jimmy Choo, and Tiffany and Co. She makes her detailed illustrations with the help of her custom-made Montblanc pen, which she lovingly calls Monty. All budding illustrators should follow her for major inspo!
2. Shweta Malhotra
Shweta Malhotra is an independent graphic designer from Mumbai with 15 years of experience. She describes her design aesthetic as minimal, bold and graphic. Her client list includes ace magazine publications such as Vogue India, Haper’s Bazaar India, Allure Magazine as well as brands like Nicobar, Lovebirds, Adidas and more. She is also a part of the Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI), an organisation of the world’s leading graphic designers with 527 members from 43 countries.
3. Sew Sketchy
This one is different. Sew Sketchy is an illustrated fashion influencer created by a Parsons graduate who chooses to keep her name under wraps. She created a bubbly, fashion-forward character with a sassy personality. Sew Sketchy is best identified through her half black, half white large, round shades and is always wearing the best runway looks. Along with her glam fashion, she is quite the entertainer too and is certainly a must-follow!
4. Srishti Guptaroy
You have to follow Bengaluru-based, Srishti Guptaroy for her quirky illustrated fashion memes. She uses satire as an element in high fashion and highlights various scenarios through her artwork with a hint of wit. And, that’s why she deserves a follow on the ‘gram!
5. Meagan Morrison
Canadian-born illustrator, Meagan Morrison is the girl behind Travel Write Draw. She started this blog simply because of her love for travelling, writing, and drawing. Her stunning illustrations that are created with pens and paintbrushes usually reflect the style of people she has witnessed during her travels. Unique, isn’t it? The FIT (Fashion Insitute of Technology) graduate has a multitude of clients in the fashion and lifestyle space. She also does quick sketches of runway looks.
6. Laura Kay
New York-based, Laura Kay is best known by her blog, Diary Sketches. I personally am a fan of her style of illustrations. She depicts her tall croquis with so much elegance. Laura’s love for fashion has been there since childhood and her clients include Cartier, Ralph Lauren, Balmain, Bloomingdales and more. She also makes custom portraits and does live sketches at events.
7. Jonquel Norwood
Who said your illustrations have to be restricted to lean croquis? At least Jonquel Norwood doesn’t believe that. Her work is all about plus size fashion and her aim in life is to empower curvy chic women through her fantastic graphics. She has designed the cover of a popular plus-size magazine, Daily Venus Diva’s holiday issue back in 2015. She continues to preach that style has no size through her illustrations. Isn’t that amazing?
8. Rongrong DeVoe
Chinese artist, Rongrong DeVoe has some of the most relatable fashion illustrations on her Instagram page. Her chic illustrations portray the life of every girl from a very different point of view. She loves to draw people with a great sense of style, especially bloggers and models. She graduated from the FIT and has worked for designers like Victor & Rolf, Giorgio Armani, and Chanel.
Fun fact: Most of the popular illustrators mentioned above are also invited to fashion shows and get a chance to witness runway looks from the front row. Instead of having Instagram open, they carry their tablets or drawing pads to sketch out their favourite looks. Meagan Morrison, Megan Hess, Laura Kay and more have been invited to do so for several design houses. How cool is that!
Which fashion illustrator are you going to follow? Let me know in the comments below.
And, don’t forget to follow @missmalinifashion to get all the style updates.