ILLUSTRATION, TRAVEL Kelly Smith ILLUSTRATION, TRAVEL Kelly Smith

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.

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ABOUT ME Kelly Smith ABOUT ME Kelly Smith

A NEW WEBSITE...

They say that change is as good as a holiday, so I thought that it was time to give a much needed update to my blog and website.

It has been a sad state of affairs with my current site consisting for over a year of a lonely little landing page that linked to my many various social media platforms and agency representation.

Blogger has served me well over the years, but I welcome this new, much more condensed, space to call home - from which you can read, shop, and view my illustrations.

One day I hope to create a website that fully encapsulates my work and all that is associated with it. But until that time...this little block of white it shall be.

Please bare with me as I make much needed updates over the next week...

- Kelly

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TRAVEL, ILLUSTRATION Kelly Smith TRAVEL, ILLUSTRATION Kelly Smith

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

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ILLUSTRATION Kelly Smith ILLUSTRATION Kelly Smith

VALENTINA ACQUA FLOREALE

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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.
x

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