SARA ET LE FRENCHIE

It's been a couple of years since our last collaboration, but I recently had the pleasure of working with the crazy talented Zanita Whittington again!

Our latest venture features the always stunning Sara Donaldson of Harper & Harley, a whole lot of paint splatters, and Archie the French Bulldog. Hence the Parisian spin on the title of this post! Isn't he just the cutest?

I had so much fun getting messy with these images.

To see behind the scenes footage of the shoot, check out episode 7 of Fashion Bloggers which is airing on the Style Network in Australia, along with E! in the US, UK and Asia.
You can also read more about Zanita and her vision for the shoot in her interview with Lucky Magazine here.

Credits:
Photography: Zanita Whittington
Illustration: Kelly Smith
Model: Sara Donaldson & Archie
Make-Up: Christabel Draffin
Hair: Frankie Endersbee
Styling: Sara Donaldson

CHRISTMAS LUST-HAVES

When it comes to Christmas, wishlists used to be so simple.

As kids we'd climb onto the local shopping-centre-Santa's lap and rattle off a long list while ticking off a handful of fingers representing all of our must-have toys; Barbie, Barbie Car, Barbie Dream House...et all.

However, as we get older this tradition gets a little harder. We no longer have the Big Fella in Red to divulge our secret yearnings to, and the price tag of each item also seems to grow along with our age.

So, instead of must-haves, we'll call them lust-haves; the items we'd ask for if Santa's budget was priceless - you know, if he was sitting on a gold throne with a diamond grill in his mouth.
Because when it comes to WISHlists, it's all about the dream, right?

I've also included a few fashionably affordable (read: more likely to appear under the tree) items!

Clock-wise from left:

1. Prada Candy Florale, EDT - PRADA
2. YSL Monogramme Mock-Croc Bag, SAINT LAURENT
3. Sacré-Coeur Silver Vase, LOVESTAR
4. Puss 'N' Boots Sunglasses in Smoke + Silver, PARED
5. Illustrated 'Merry Christmas' Cards, BIRDY & ME
6. Printed iPhone 6 Cover, LANVIN
7. Rockstud Heels, VALENTINO
8. 34 Blvd Candle Holder, DIPTYQUE
9. Classic Sheffield Watch, DANIEL WELLINGTON*
10. 'How to be Parisian' Book, RANDOM HOUSE

*You can also save 15% AND gain free shipping at danielwellington.com right now with code:
"holidaybirdyandme"

A FASHIONABLY FESTIVE CHRISTMAS

This year's Christmas card has been a whole lot of fun to draw!
I openly admit to being a fanatical lover of Christmas; someone who will look for any excuse to get the tree up as soon as possible. In recent years I have been pining for a pink Christmas tree, resplendent with its frosted white and gold decorations. My husband, understandably, does not share my affinity for the girly pink tree. So this year I took a leaf out of the clever Sally Spratt of The Lust List's book and decided that if I can't have one I'll draw one.

So here it is, in all its coppery, blush, glory: a babe with party curls and a pretty pink tree to call her own. As always, this year's Christmas Cards are a limited run, so get in quick!

Available in my shop here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

ALSO - as a special holiday treat - every print order* in my store from now until Dec 10 will receive a free card. YAY. Gift sorted!

*Card included with print purchases only.

MEN'S HEALTH

It's not often that I get to draw ze fellas! But when I do, oh it's fun.
I recently illustrated three variant clipped styles for Men's Health magazine and their feature with Remington for Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest; whereby participants could make a quick 'pit-stop' during the event to get their manly manes buzzed + styled by the Remington team.
I mean, when you're up to your shins in mud, sweat pouring down your brow, it's nice to know you'll be looking semi-decent for that photo-finish and post-race beer! Right, boys?
You can read all about it in the November issue of Men's Health UK.

UNITED WE STAND

It is with much excitement that I share these images of the 'United We Stand' campaign, created in partnership between Mount Franklin and Samantha Wills, in support of the McGrath Foundation, who work tirelessly to raise funds that are used to employ Breast Care Nurses around Australia.
Running throughout September and October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the campaign includes specially designed Mount Franklin products along with a limited edition t-shirt, available from samanthawills.com, from which $30 of each sale goes directly to the McGrath Foundation.
I am so honoured to have been asked by Samantha once again to bring her amazing creative vision for these bottles to life, and even more so to be a part of such an important and empowering campaign.
"United We Stand" draws its inspiration from Jane McGrath herself, and the foundation's motto that "Together We Can Make a Difference."
Samantha's vision was for an illustrated Warrioress that embodied the strength of femininity, and the power that our relationships have to build us up and support us in times of need.
 Through the sale of these products, and the spread of this message, we, united, can all do our part to help and, in turn, raise awareness for regular breast checks.
You can find much more information on the Samantha Wills website here, where she will be posting regularly about all of the supporting products available, including a special limited-edition jewellery range.
You can also donate directly to the McGrath Foundation here: www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au
Again, I am so proud to be involved in this beautiful partnership and even more so to help spread the message in any way that I can.
So buy a specially marked bottle, drink up, and keep checking those breasts!
While you're at it - get yourself a tee, some jewels and support the campaign in style.

Image credit: B+W campaign photograph by Scott Ehler.

GLAMOUR

Earlier in the year I had the pleasure of working on an editorial illustration for Glamour Russia.

When I received the initial brief from my agent my eyes popped at the words "French" "actresses" "Marion Cotillard" "Léa Seydoux" "Audrey Tautou" "Charlotte Gainsbourg" - basically, they had me at hello!
I'm such a huge film fan, and a bit of not-so-closet Francophile and, while I admire the style of every actress featured, three of them just happen to be some of my all-time favourites.

The brief was to illustrate the four of them, sitting together, on a Parisian street. I took a little inspiration from the beautiful exterior of Café de Flore and had a whole lot of fun pouring through images of each lady's personal style.

Amazingly for me, the magazine came out while I was in France on my honeymoon, which made it all the more exciting. I had even just recently visited the home of the late Serge Gainsbourg, father to Charlotte. The exterior is an homage to the actor/musician, covered on every square inch in grafitti and artwork from his fans. Incredible.

LA MAISON FAVART

As you may have noticed (due to the large lack of posts on my blog) I was a little bit absent for the month of April. This was due to my traveling around on my honeymoon!
A large portion of our time was spent in France, including a brief fling in Paris where we were so lucky to stay at the beautiful La Maison Favart.

La Maison Favart is a ridiculously beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Paris, a short stroll from Opéra, Place Vendôme, and Tuileries, named after Charles-Simon Favart and Justine Duronceray. Their romantic history starts thusly;
Favart was the director of the Comic Opéra and became captivated by Duronceray during a stage performance of Les Fêtes Publiques. They were married on the 12th of December that very same year. And so began the incredible story of the most famous couple in the history of Parisian theatre; Monsier and Madame Favart.

Here's hoping some of their famous love story rubs off on us!

I was so pleased to be able to collaborate with the hotel on this illustration. After photographing every nook and gorgeous cranny for inspiration, I settled upon the Breakfast Room - my favourite! Every morning began with a croissant and a hot cup of tea, surrounded by sunshine and that glorious pink upholstery. Sadly without the perfectly tousled Parisian tresses and cascading gown. Le sigh...
I could hardly do it justice, but I do hope you like it as much as I do.

P.S YES that is a bathtub in the floor. And, who doesn't love a bath in the floor?
DEFINITELY NOT THIS GUY, that's for sure. Especially when paired with Champagne.
Cheers!

If you're fortunate enough to be traveling to Paris in the future, visit La Maison Favart's website here for more information: www.lamaisonfavart.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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