dress up Marilyn
My cuppeth overflow!
As if it weren’t enough to be asked to create an Audrey Hepburn paper doll, I was invited again to work on none other than Ms Marilyn Monroe!
I have been completely fascinated by and in awe of her since I first saw one of her many films presented by Bill Collins on the ABC as a child. Fun fact - one of my favourite movies of all time is ‘Some Like it Hot.’
Marilyn represents so much to me - beauty, strength, tenacity, but also a fragility; we all know how her life sadly ended at the tender age of 36. She experienced so much pain and loss in her life.
She is one of the most enigmatic characters of our age, and there was so much more to her than met the eye.
On what would have been her 100th birthday, I am so thrilled to reveal this book, and I hope the multitude of certain celebrations introduce her to an entirely new audience. May her legend live on for another 100 years….
‘Style Icons: Marilyn Monroe A Dress-Up Paper Doll Book’
Words: Elizabeth Weitzman
Illustrations: Kelly Smith
Editor: Lucy Grant
Publisher: Smith Street Books
Agent: IllustrationX
dress up AUDREY
Occasionally a job comes along that really gives you pause and forces you to reflect upon where you are and why you’re here.
Any artist/illustrator most likely spent their childhood dreaming of drawing for a living. It’s such a simple aspiration, yet for the majority it can seem so unrealistic. The feeling when that dream becomes a reality is so indescribable. There is, however, a moment even more mind-blowing than that - and it’s when the two worlds collide.
The younger self that sat colouring at the table; drawing their favourite characters, attacking the paper with scissors, sticky tape and a fervent determination. That grown child is suddenly tasked with creating an Audrey Hepburn paper doll for Smith Street Books. PARDONNEZ-MOI? Audrey? LOVE. Paper Dolls? LOVE.
It doesn’t get much better than this, honestly…my younger (and present) self is screaming.
See below for a little BTS of the assembled doll in 'Holly Golightly’ garb from the film ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ arguably Audrey’s most famous film, and yes - one of my favourites. My all-time favourite, however, is ‘My Fair Lady.’ The first time I saw it, I couldn’t say. It’s been a part of my psyche since the dawn of (my) time.
If you want to play yourself - the book is out now!
‘Style Icons: Audrey Hepburn A Dress-Up Paper Doll Book’
Words: Elizabeth Weitzman
Illustrations: Kelly Smith
Editor: Lucy Grant
Publisher: Smith Street Books
Agent: IllustrationX
chanel ILLUSTRATED
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.
haute CHRISTMAS
…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!
still LIFE
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…
cover REVEAL
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.
Zendaya is LIFE
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!
Baublelicious
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!
Beyoncé is LIFE
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!
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.