CINDERELLA

The latest in my fairy tale series, and perhaps one of the most widely treasured - 'Cinderella'!

For so many of us, 'Cinderella' (told by the Brothers Grimm and, perhaps most famously, Charles Perrault) is synonymous with Walt Disney's classic animated film. Along with 'Snow White' it was one of the studio's very first in a long line of fairy tales.
We're so familiar with that 'Bibbity Bobbity Boo' scene, the stunning score, and that beautiful scenery (envisioned by the wonderful concept art of Mary Blair).

While Disney's version is so vivid in our memories, I wanted to focus less on the ball and the Prince, and more on Cinderella herself.
Of course those shoes makes a precious cameo, but it's all about that glorious gown and the transformation from rags to ravishing beauty. The birds and mice are getting her dressed and she's just about to throw that god-damned broom away.
In true fashionista style, our Cinderella proves that sometimes all it takes to improve your day is a killer pair of heels and a beautiful dress! Sure, you might have to sweep a few floors, but you'll feel pretty darn good doing it.

'Cinderella' is available now in a limited edition of 40 A3 prints, and 15 A2 prints, in my store here:
www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
I hope I've done her justice!

View some of Disney's original 'Cinderella' concept art by Mary Blair (because I love it so much!) and a gif of THAT transformation below.

Artwork by Mary Blair for Walt Disney

Artwork by Mary Blair for Walt Disney

PÉRSONA COSMETICS

Image via Simply Sona / Pérsona Cosmetics

Image via Simply Sona / Pérsona Cosmetics

Image via Simply Sona / Pérsona Cosmetics

Earlier this year I worked on a beautiful project with make-up artist, beauty blogger and all-round cosmetics aficionado, Sona Gasparian, on an illustration for the packaging of the very first product in her JUST LAUNCHED cosmetics line, Pérsona.
Readers, and beauty enthusiasts alike, may recognise Sona from her insanely popular make-up tutorials on YouTube and her website Simply Sona.
It is always best to read about any Creative's passion project in their own words, so I highly encourage you to visit Sona's post about Pérsona here: www.simplysona.com

Taking inspiration from the city of Paris, the illustration for this product had to convey the idea of its namesake 'Identity Palette' and the way that we can transform our look through make-up, especially when adapting to new surroundings. For this eye-shadow palette and its warmly smoky, metallic hues, the brief was to create a mysteriously alluring French beauty. In true Gallic fashion, our girl has a look that is both effortless and natural, yet striking and seductive at the same time.

Needless to say that it was such a lovely job to work on, and I send Sona so many congratulations on such a huge achievement and I'm excited to see what comes next!

These gorgeous eye shadow palettes can be purchase via the Pérsona website here: www.personacosmetics.co

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

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

Designer, Con Ilio, and 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.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

With postal services running slower at this time of year as they struggle to keep up with demand, it's always best to get in quick if you need to send some festive love via snail mail, and don't forget - every print order comes with a free Christmas card! Gift sorted.

Delivery cut-off dates are as follows:
Australia, Dec 14
International - Nov 20

To shop 'til you drop, visit my store here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

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:

Lily Cole by Tim Walker for VOGUE Italia, 2005

Andressa Fontana by Amanda Pratt for Karen, Issue 12

The Tailor Mouse by Beatrix Potter

Viktor & Rolf, Spring/Summer 2005

McQUEENS FLOWERS

A really lovely blog post from from the people at McQueens florist in London.
Beginning as a small flower shop in Shoreditch, McQueens is now one of the most well-respected florists in the United Kingdom, working with luxury hotels and high-end clients such as Claridge's, Mulberry, Christian Louboutin, and Harrods.
I was so flattered to be approached for a feature on their blog, talking about my work and all things floral!
You can view it on their website here: www.blog.mcqueens.co.uk

I'M DREAMIN' OF A FLORAL CHRISTMAS

As someone who personally wishes it could be Christmas all year long, even I am well aware that it seems pretty soon to be flogging Christmas cards before October is even through.

However there are only 8 WEEKS until Christmas!
Which means NOW is the time to start getting organised - especially for those of us who love to send our festive cheer via good old snail mail - as postal services will only slow down from here on in (in fact, my Christmas delivery cut-off times are now listed in my store.)

I had a play with my illustration of 'The Florist' to come up with this little lady because this year "I'm Dreamin' of a Floral Christmas" just like the ones Bing Crosby used to know. But, you know, with more flowers...

These cards are SUPER limited, only 100 produced in total, and will come FREE with every print order in my store while stock lasts.
There are also a very few sets of 3 available to purchase on their own.

Visit my store here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

VIKTOR & ROLF : FASHION ARTISTS

Viktor & Rolf, Autumn/Winter 2008

Viktor & Rolf, Spring/Summer 2005

Magdelena Frackowaik photographed by Josh Olins for Dazed & Confused, 2010

While in Melbourne last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the brand new exhibition at the NGV
'Viktor & Rolf: Fashion Artists.'
To say I was excited is an understatement! I have loved the Dutch designers for years, their 'non-conformist' take on fashion is always so intriguing and inspiring and allows them to express so much creativity. As the title of the exhibition states, they are true artists; each piece a stand-alone artwork in itself.

Of particular note for me were the unbelievable tulle pieces from Spring 2010, as well as the rotating gown from their 'Van Gogh Girls' 2015 collection (cue gif!) which was similar to the gown I illustrated at the time the collection premiered.
I vividly remember wondering what on earth had possessed me to take on the illustration of one of these particular gowns (that line work took for-ever) and seeing the construction and detail up close and in-person brought it all rushing back. The design is just next-level!

If you have a chance, I highly recommend paying the Nation Gallery of Victoria a visit to see the collection in person. 'Viktor & Rolf: Fashion Artists' runs until Feb 26.

DIOR'S 'PALMYRE' DRESS

Christian Dior's 'Palmyre' gown / Image via Palais Galliera

I recently had the pleasure of illustrating the cover of a screenplay for an in-development film!
While I can't reveal too much about the film itself just yet, I can share with you the illustration, and fawn over its subject a little bit.
Fashion enthusiasts might recognise this beautiful vintage Dior gown from 1952 - Christian Dior's famous 'Palmyre' design.
The film centers around many such precious gowns, and I've got my fingers crossed that we will see it on our screens in the not-too-distant future.
For a film-obsessed gal like me, this is probably one of the most interesting and exciting commissions I've had to date.
(To learn a little more about the process of script to screen, and also get a little couture illustration in on the side, is my idea of the perfect project!)
I hope you enjoy this peek at the process of draft to final...we wanted to keep the figure quite simplistic so as to draw all of the attention to that glorious gown!

ALICE IN GUCCI-LAND

Gucci Pre-Fall 2016

Viktor & Rolf, Photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue US, 2003

Photographed by Margaret Zhang for Seduce

Photographed by Alexandra Sophie for Vogue China, 2016

Given my love of Lewis Carroll's Alice, there was no question I would have to continue the series with her adventures 'Through the Looking Glass.'
The chief inspiration behind this piece was this incredible Gucci gown.
As soon as I saw it I immediately pictured it on our Queen of Curiosity. I mean, if ever a dress was made for its subject...

Taking place after she fell down the rabbit hole, 'Through the Looking Glass' sees Alice pulled into the 'other' room, where everything is back-to-front and the inhabitants have a flair for poetry!
While Wonderland was all about flamingos, rabbits and mad tea parties, the looking glass takes us into a giant game of chess and Alice's determination to become a Queen.
Those familiar with the tale, will also remember that the Tweedles first appear in 'Through the Looking Glass', and not 'Wonderland' as is commonly believed, so I had to include them in my version.

If you've not read the book, you can A) DO IT! NOW! or B) catch one of the many film adaptations, including this one from the BBC starring Kate Beckinsale and a whole lot of mad British fashions (take particular note of the supermodel flower bed.)
I also hope you enjoy some of these looking glass inspired images!

'The Looking Glass' is available to order now in my shop in both A3 + A2 sizes here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
(Limited to a quantity of 40 + 15 respectively.)