terrific timelines : FASHION

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!

INTIMATE

Introducing a new print into my store - 'Intimate ' aptly titled and inspired by the small luxuries of flowers, lace, and perfume.

Available in a very limited quantity of 25 only.

To go to the shop and give her a place in your home, click here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

HYFASHION AT GRAND HYATT MELBOURNE

HyFashion Stationery Suite, photographed by Gemma Watts

Brooke Meredith in Con Ilio for the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, photographed by Neiyo Sun

I recently had the honour of working with the incredibly luxurious Grand Hyatt Melbourne on their Spring fashion campaign, HYFASHION, in collaboration with Australian designer, Con Ilio;
celebrating the iconic beauty of the 'Paris' end of Collins St, Melbourne's premiere shopping precinct, and home of the hotel.
Incorporating the stunning pink 'Charlotte' gown with its hand embroidery and signature camouflage print designed by Con himself, we wanted to create the image of a bold and confident woman; the personification of Melbourne's celebrated fashion and design scene.
As a huge fan and admirer of Haute Couture, working with a designer championing the very specific and intricate methods of creating such gowns was a dream.

During the course of the promotion, guests can book a very special 'HY FASHION' package which includes, with a luxury stay at this beautiful hotel, an exclusive stationery suite (designed by me), High Tea for two in Collins Kitchen, and a one-on-one consultation with Con Ilio.

To book a stay at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne visit the website HERE.

THUMBELINA

I can't describe how inspired I was by last week's visit to the Viktor & Rolf exhibit at the NGV in Melbourne.
One gown in particular struck a huge cord with me, along with this quote the boys had left on the wall at the exit;
"We design clothes that look like they were made by the birds in Cinderella."
UM, YES!
I feel like this idea encapsulates everything that is so whimsical and beautiful about fashion - and, in particular, Haute Couture.
These gowns are less about wearability and so much more about the fantasy of a character or mood, lending themselves so beautifully to that sort of suspension of disbelief we adopt when we read our favourite fairy tales. Which is exactly what I'm trying to achieve with this series of work.

Currently working my way through my favourite childhood stories, that quote paired with the stunning ribbon gown from
Viktor & Rolf's 2005 'Flowerbomb' collection really resonated when it came to my next effort - 'Thumbelina.'
It's probably quite clear to everyone how much the story and concept of 'Thumbelina' influences my work - just in my approach to scale, alone!
So, when tackling my illustrated version of this little lady I wanted to bring her into the world of fashion and have her 'mother' be a Parisien dressmaker; one who would create a gown for her from scraps of fabric and off-cuts from the floor.
Of course this particular gown was unbelievably fitting to my idea and as soon as I saw it in the exhibition I knew it was The One.
The mouse is also a nod to one of my childhood heroes, Beatrix Potter. After all, the mice in the building would no doubt help Thumbelina's mother stitch this beautiful gown!

I think this has to be my new favourite of the series <3

See more 'Thumbelina' inspiration below:

BELLA HADID X MISHA COLLECTION

New work for luxe Australian label, Misha Collection, and their collaboration with the stunning Bella Hadid.
Attending this year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to open and close the Resort '17 show, Bella is also the face of their new 'Misha Gold' line.

I loved working on this image - after all, what can be better than monochrome brush strokes and a Hadid in a little black dress?

View more at www.mishacollection.com.au

Original photograph by Nino Munoz for Misha Collection.

LA PETITE FLEUR

I haven't had a lot of time to work on new prints lately due to my workload (so many exciting things to come!)
but I've been plugging away slowly on this piece for about a month or so now, in between client projects/approvals.
It's so nice to finally be able to share the finished illustration with you!

A product of my love for all things décor, floral and Thumbelina-inspired, this brand new print is available for pre-order in my store now!
She may just be my new favourite lady; giving some serious Vogue vibes in her Dior/Valli-inspired gown.

For those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, Spring should just have sprung, so this one's for you, you lucky rascals.
If the Australian weather is anything to go by, my next girl might be wearing thermals and a LOT of angora....

Limited to an edition of 50 A3 prints only, you can order her here:
www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

VALENTINA ACQUA FLOREALE

I was so thrilled to be asked to participate in a new illustration project by Valentino
for their new fragrance Valentina Acqua Floreale, in which I had to create a series of illustrations that depicted the scent, bottle, and muse.

I've been a long-time wearer of the original Valentina scent so this, paired with the fact that it was VALENTINO, was such an exciting project to be a part of!

Acqua Floreale differs slightly from the original Valentina, adding notes of jasmine and orange blossom, however the essence of the fragrance stays the same; that sweet but playful scent offering an ethereal, girly elegance.

Along with the incredible Sabine Pieper and Bernadette Pascua (Decade Diary),
I was asked to interpret both the fragrance and the Valentina muse, Freja Beha Erichsen,through a series of illustrations, including a brief written synopsis of what the scent means to me:

Valentina Acqua Floreale speaks to me of a whimsical edge;
Its wearer a gamine beauty, a blend of feminine cool
lounging in a sun-kissed garden.
She wears a gown of immaculate beauty,
slightly crumpled from an early morning slumber,
her hair dishevelled from the previous evening's soiree
when all eyes were on her.
Now, in the garden, the sweet Summer scent of jasmine and blossoms remain,
soaked into her skin.

You can discover more on the Valentino Parfums website here:
www.en.parfums.valentino.com

A huge thank you to Valentino for inviting me to be a part of this beyond dreamy project.
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