GUCCI CRUISE '23

June 01, 2022 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, FASHION

My favourite look from Alessandro Michele’s Cruise show for Gucci, shown in Puglia a few weeks back!

Valentino PINK PP COLLECTION

March 13, 2022 by Kelly Smith in FASHION, ILLUSTRATION

A personal piece I couldn’t resist after the RTW Pink PP collection was unveiled by Valentino during Paris Fashion Week; featuring the stunning Kristen McMenamy and swathes of pink silk tulle…

View the video below for the full collection and peep my further favourite looks! Flawless. Stunning. SO PINK.

chanel CRUISE 2021/22

September 14, 2021 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, FASHION

A Procreate sketch from earlier in the year of two looks from Virginie Viard’s Chanel Cruise collection.

dior NYMPHS

July 22, 2020 by Kelly Smith in FASHION, ILLUSTRATION

In light of the current pandemic, most fashion houses have been forced or chosen to forgo physical shows this Couture season, opting to present their designs through editorials, live-streams of audience-less shows, or - in Dior’s case - a film!
Directed by Italian film-maker, Matteo Garrone, ‘Le Mythe Dior’ presents Maria Grazia Chiuri’s A/W 20/21 Haute Couture collection as a Pre-Raphaelite fantasy; a fairytale where mermaids, maidens and nymphs frolic, swim, and kiss within a magical forest as two Dior porters roam the woods, carrying an enormous doll house - miniature versions of Dior creations enclosed inside, enticing each character.
I was completely enchanted and just had to draw my own version.
While the film itself has been called out for its lack of diversity (and rightly so as there was room to include POC within its cast of characters) I thought it was such an incredibly beautiful take on ethereal mythology.
I figured I could expand upon the cast within my illustration!
So here you have it - two nymph-like beauties, draping themselves over the most heavenly gown, entwined in forest vines.
Please be sure to watch the film below and enjoy it for yourselves!
(I am utterly in awe of the miniatures themselves, the craftsmanship is something to be admired.)

Images via Dior

moschino ANTOINETTE

March 03, 2020 by Kelly Smith in FASHION, ILLUSTRATION

The second I laid eyes on the looks from Moschino’s F/W ‘20 collection in Milan, I knew I HAD to stop whatever toddler-based activity or snack I was making and draw one of them!
Taking inspiration from Marie Antionette and the court of Versailles, each girl was a resplendent rococo confection walking down the runway - hair in the sky!
Cop the full show HERE. The coquettish sass of each girl is the stuff of dreams.
I was so torn between Birgit Kos in her pink bow and Gigi Hadid in a coat woven from roses - but you know the florals won out! Forever have my heart.
Hope you like my take on Miss Hadid.

Fingers crossed I find a minute to get inspired by the Paris collections!

Images by Marco Ovando / Serichai Traipoom / Sonny Vandevelde

VALENTINO SPRING COUTURE

May 22, 2019 by Kelly Smith in FASHION, ILLUSTRATION

Having a baby will foil even the best laid plans.

Starting this illustration approximately 3 hours after the Valentino Spring Couture show hit Paris back in January, it has only been this week that I was able to finish it! Better late than never, I guess.
This collection was perhaps one of the most beautiful that Pierpaolo Piccioli has delivered for Valentino in recent memory.
Sumptuous and ethereal - each look was better than the last. I had grandiose ideas of illustrating numerous looks, however - as mentioned - babies get in the way. I’m just pleased that I was able to finish this one; combining one of my favourite gowns with the stunningly elfish beauty look by the always incredible Pat McGrath.

Enjoy more of my favourites below:

Photographed by Jamie Stoker / via vogue.co.uk

the NEW TREND

November 06, 2018 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, FASHION

Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini F/W ‘18 Photograph by Sonny Vandevelde - www.sonnyphotos.com — Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini F/W ‘18
Photograph by Sonny Vandevelde - www.sonnyphotos.com

Recent work for OneTwo Agency for an event celebrating the first birthday of fashion retailer, The New Trend, which specialises in bringing luxury International designers to the racks of Australian consumers. The brief was to incorporate this stunning Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini polka-dot dress. Engulfed in a cloud of wisteria, this girl was used on invitations and coffee cups for the event.

terrific timelines : FASHION

October 30, 2018 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, FASHION, PRESS

So thrilled to have worked with my friends at Laurence King Publishing for a fourth time on the brand new volume, ‘Terrific Timelines: Fashion.’

Conceived by Richard Ferguson and researched/written by Isabel Thomas, this interactive volume is one of a series of ‘press out & display’ books chronicling significant moments in history ; focussing this time on Fashion!
We’ve worked our way through the entirety of sartorial history and illustrated key looks from Ancient Egypt all the way to the present-day 2000s, including La Belle Epoque, the ‘New Look,’ and the Swinging Sixties!
Each figure can be pressed out and placed into her corresponding stand, creating a 3D timeline that can be displayed on any bookshelf.

I had so much fun working on this (discovering many an interesting fact as I went.)
Initially I assumed I’d immediately love anything post 1920s but some of my favourites to draw were the Elizabethan and Versailles gowns; such beautiful silhouettes and so detailed!
I mean, I got to draw Marie Antoinette in all of her powder-pink glory. I can die happy now.

These pop-up beauties are the best fash-ucation a kid (big or small) could ever need, and available now at your local bookstore or online at laurenceking.com.

I hope you like some of the sneeky peaks below!

harper's BAZAAR - HOUSE OF BAZAAR

October 24, 2018 by Kelly Smith in PRESS, ILLUSTRATION, FASHION

I recently had the pleasure of illustrating for the pages of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia magazine in order to promote their annual ‘House of Bazaar’ event, held in partnership with Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates.

The house itself is comprised of four main ‘rooms’ which detail and display different areas of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle; these being the Fashion Closet, the Beauty Boudoir, the Nursery and the Wellness Room.

Held over the period of October 9-13, the House of Bazaar also featured a runway show and one-on-one conversations with fashion, beauty and lifestyle professionals including Victoria’s Secret legend, Alessandra Ambrosio, style influencers Karen Wazen-Bakhazi and Jessica Kahawaty (all of which I had the opportunity to illustrate.)

I have yet to get my hands on the printed magazine, but hoping to see it all in person soon!

For now, I hope you enjoy a selection of the illustrations and images from the magazine and event itself! You can read more via the official website here and also behind-scenes process via my agency’s news site here.

Thanks to Bazaar for inviting me to be a part of this special project! x

PRADA BEAUTY

April 17, 2018 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, FASHION, BEAUTY

I've long followed the make-up legend that is Pat McGrath on Instagram, marvelling with stars in my eyes over her delectably inventive beauty looks for various design houses - be it during any given fashion week, or the editorial pages of a magazine.

One particular show captured my imagination during the Fall/Winter RTW showings - namely Prada - which saw beautiful tweed Winter coats breezing down the runway, paired with rubber boots, shockingly bright neon bows tied in tulle and brilliantly shiny diamanté cat eyes. It was a collection of beautifully ethereal, wet-haired aliens and I loved it!

I couldn't decide on any one look in particular as each girl varied wildly between outfit and beauty looks. So I combined my favourites to create the ultimate Prada girl!

I hope you like.