Kelly Smith Kelly Smith

chanel ILLUSTRATED

Chanel Illustrated book cover and inside spread featuring artist, Kelly Smith.
Inside look at Chanel Illustration by Lannoo Publishers featuring illustrations by Kelly Smith.

The past two years have seen somewhat of a shift in my work.
One book project set in motion what would become a series of projects all within the publishing industry, and for someone who has always been obsessed with books - the smell, the feel, the satisfaction of seeing their spine on a shelf - it has been such an incredible turn of events.
While still working on a mixture of branding, packaging and editorial jobs, I’d say 80% of my recent work has been creating imagery for a number of gorgeous books. The latest of which is…‘Chanel Illustrated.’

So, real talk for one moment.
When I received an email inviting me to be one of twenty four artists featured in a new book titled ‘Chanel Illustrated’
I low-key thought I was being catfished.
‘Twas not, however, a producer from MTV but the wonderful editor, Carolijn Domensino, of Lannoo Publishers and the request was real. This is a literal dream come true for me, a genuine “pinch me” moment.
I’ve always firmly believed that fashion and illustration are the most complimentary of art forms.
For me fashion is about expression, line, texture and silhouette - all key components of a great illustration.
After all, every great garment is the physical manifestation of a creative director’s sketch.
Beauty as still life is another extension of this idea of art imitating life imitating art.
I have a ten page feature inside the book (pardon?!) and a few more images that I’ll be (and have been) sharing over the coming weeks that I created in an immersion of Chanel; the archives, the objects and its muses.
Thank you, Carolijn and Lannoo, for inviting me to be a part of this incredible volume.
‘Chanel Illustrated,’ with accompanying text by Siska Lyssens, is available worldwide now.

Illustration of 31 Rue Cambon, the Chanel flagship store in Paris.
Illustration of Karl Lagerfeld in signature sunglasses with a tie and Chanel brooch.
Chanel Nº5 bottle being cradled by a woman's hand.
Illustration of Chanel pearl-heeled shoe, surrounded by Chanel beauty products.
Illustration of a beautiful woman wearing the Chanel Comète necklace from 1932.
Illustration of an orange alongside Chanel lipstick and jewellery.
Illustratoion of a Chanel Beauty compact and lipstick.
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Kelly Smith Kelly Smith

haute CHRISTMAS

Beautiful doll like woman in a red coat, holding a Christmas ornament, surrounded by snow capped trees.

…and just like that, the silly season is upon us!
This year’s holiday card is channeling vintage Parisian Chic.
From the cherry red Christian Dior coat to the silk bauble dangling delicately
from a ribbon, this doll is ready to bring the fashionably festive vibes
to whichever hall she decks.
In a time when many of us can feel the pinch of life’s realities,
the holidays bring with them an excuse to truly lose ourselves
in the magic of the season.
Baby, it may be cold outside, but this Christmas is HAUTE.
Available now in packs of 3 in my store.

Click HERE to add to cart!

Card featuring a beautiful doll like woman in a red coat, holding a Christmas ornament, surrounded by snow capped trees.
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still LIFE

Illustration of pink anthurium flower.
Photograph of pink anthuriums.
Illustration of Coco Mademoiselle by Kelly Smith
Framed art print of Coco Mademoiselle Illustration by Kelly Smith

2025 has been the year of the publication, it’s true. While there is still more to come regarding which tomes you might find my art residing in, one of the loveliest parts of creating all of this new work has been drawing from my very own photographs.

Still life imagery is something that I find so beautiful in its simplicity, and have really enjoyed exploring over the past year. This has led me to create a few new pieces which I’m happy to say are available as art prints in my shop.
One of which is an iconic scent we all know and love - and you might just spot in one of the aforementioned upcoming editions.
The second is the result of an impromptu trip to the florist to buy my sister-in-law a bunch of birthday blooms!
Standing proudly amidst their sisters were these absolutely stunning pinky peach anthuriums. I knew I had to take some home, and the intention was to try to capture them in a way that felt inherently ‘me.’
I have a little bit of a series in mind for these so stay tuned…

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cover REVEAL

Cover of 'Concoctions: 50 Spellbinding Cocktails' by Millie Mercier and Illustrated by Kelly Smith. A beautiful woman conjuring a bewitching cocktail.
Courage's Forge Cocktail from Concoctions: 50 Spellbinding Cocktails by Millier Mercier, Illustrated by Kelly Smith
Samhain Martini Cocktail from Concoctions: 50 Spellbinding Cocktails by Millier Mercier, Illustrated by Kelly Smith
Waking Martini from Concoctions: 50 Spellbinding Cocktails by Millier Mercier, Illustrated by Kelly Smith
Rhea's Touch Cocktail from Concoctions: 50 Spellbinding Cocktails by Millier Mercier, Illustrated by Kelly Smith
Grimoire Gimlet from Concoctions: 50 Spellbinding Cocktails by Millier Mercier, Illustrated by Kelly Smith

So thrilled to share the cover and a small preview of the upcoming ‘Concoctions: 50 Spellbinding Cocktails’ by Millie Mercier, published by Smith Street Books.
Illustrated by yours truly, the book features 50 bewitching beauties and their conjured cocktails.

From the Publisher:
Divided into five chapters – Love, Abundance, Harmony, Strength, and Luck – the drinks in Concoctions celebrate and tap into the energies of their ingredients. Inspire love with Cupid’s Sparkler or draw strength with a Blood Moon. Cleanse the day with a Chamomile Martini and welcome a new beginning with a Spiced Sun. Each drink is prepared with ingredients whose magical correspondences resonate together to channel a witch’s willpower.
Alongside drinks to prepare, there are spirits to infuse and syrups to prepare at home, as well as an introduction to spellwork through cocktails.
Explore the possibilities of each ingredient and imbue your drinks with meaning (and delicious flavours).


Releasing September, 2025, the book can be pre-ordered NOW!

Click here for more info.

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Zendaya is LIFE

Book cover for Zendaya is Life, illustrated by Kelly Smith
Illustrations of Zendaya by Kelly Smith

In what has been quite a significant period of editorial work, 2025 has extended my publishing streak with ‘Zendaya is Life,’ by Kathleen Perricone.
As with her previous title, ‘Beyoncé is Life,’ it features 30+ illustrations (by yours truly) of Miss Zendaya Coleman.
I am a STAUNCH devotee to the sartorial world of Zendaya, so I was absolutely DELIGHTED to have the honour of working with Quarto and Kathleen again, capturing some of her most significant ensembles. (Honestly, we could have easily added an extra 30+, she is an ICON.)

As with its predecessor, this book is one in a series of uniquely illustrated editions, each chronicling the evolution of some of our most beloved pop-culture figures.

You can find ‘Zendaya is Life’ in all good bookstores both bricks and mortar and online!
Click here for more info!

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Baublelicious

Illustration of a girl covered in pink ribbons, bows, and christmas decorations.

With Halloween officially over for another year, it’s time to unlock Mariah, pour out a glass, and dust off those Christmas lists!

This year’s holiday card is all about the swirly, whirly, happiness that comes from digging through a box labelled ‘SPECIAL’ – shiny, silky ribbons, glitter stars and baubles in every delicious shade of Christmas. If you’re anything like me, the idea of the holidays screams ‘CHERRIES!’ ‘BOWS!’ and ‘SPARKLE!’ so I tried to encapsulate that into one hell of a sugar plum fairy.
She’s baublelicious, baby, and available now in packs of 5 in my store.
Very limited quantities this year, so do be quick!

Click HERE to add to cart!

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Beyoncé is LIFE

Cover of 'Beyoncé is Life' by Kathleen Perricone, illustrated by Kelly Smith
Beyoncé illustration for the book, 'Beyoncé is Life,' by Kathleen Perricone.

A third exciting publication has just launched for 2024 - ‘Beyoncé is Life,’ by Kathleen Perricone, features 30+ illustrations (by yours truly) of Beyoncé’s most iconic ensembles throughout her career.
It was an absolute DELIGHT to delve into the archives and revisit so many core-memory sartorial moments – from the 00’s, especially!

This book is one in a series of uniquely illustrated editions, each chronicling the evolution of some of our most beloved pop-culture figures.
I’m truly honoured to be one of the few artists lending their hand to these icons of style!

Stay tuned for perhaps one more book on the horizon…*wink*

In the meantime you can find ‘Beyoncé is Life’ in all good bookstores both bricks and mortar and online! Click here for more info!

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cocktails in PARIS

I’m so pleased to share the cover and some of the inside illustrations for the brand new ‘Cocktails in Paris’ by Audrey Laroux, published by Smith Street Books.
Spanning four seasons, the book lists 50 recipes to take you from the wintry Pont Alexandre III all the way to a balmy stroll around Montmarte – complete with an arm load of market flowers.

This project was an absolute dream to work on, combining two of my greatest loves – fashion & Paris. It also allowed me to develop a slightly different style – combining finer details with a more restrained hand – to portray the great city and its inhabitants in all its colour and glory!

Cocktails in Paris is available in all good bookstores now, worldwide.

Click here for more info.

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new FASHION ILLUSTRATION

It’s such a huge honour to share the pages of this brand new book, in which I'm featured alongside so many of my peers.
'New Fashion Illustration: 50 Essential Contemporary Artists' edited by Ana De Izaguirre, and published by Hoaki Press, showcases the work of Nuno Da Costa, Sandra Sy, Pippa McManus, Bil Donovan, Stina Persson, Cecilia Carlstedt, Anjelica Roslyn, and Lovisa Burfitt to name but a few.
It's such a treat to be in their company and to see my work on the printed page.
I love books – I’m so happy to be in one again!
Thank you, Ana x
See more here.

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jacqueline FROST

Meet Jacqueline Frost. She’s a mod little snow pod, inspired by the out of sight beauties that stood before Avedon’s lens.

She’s also my 2023 Christmas design and gracing the cover of this year’s cards!

Printed on 350gsm card stock, they come in a set of 3 accompanied by a Stephen Verdigris sage green envelope. They’re the grooviest addition you can make to your loved ones letterboxes this holiday season!

Order here now: www.birdyandme.com/shop

*Product photograph created with AI

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