harper's BAZAAR - HOUSE OF BAZAAR

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

Via Harper’s Bazaar Arabia

Alessandra Ambrosio

Karen Wazen Bakhazi

Rhea Jacobs

Jessica Kahawaty

WONDERLAND

A subject I can never quite put to bed, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ has once again provided inspiration for my latest illustration and print in my Fairytales & Fables series.
It didn’t ease my fascination to recently visit the ‘Wonderland’ exhibit in Melbourne’s ACMI centre.
To see so many iterations of Lewis Carroll’s famous story, along with original artworks, manuscripts and various animation stills, was a treat beyond all others!
(Scroll down further for a few images from the exhibition.)

With a brain abuzz with Wonderland magic, and feeling inspired by a particular chapter in ‘Through the Looking Glass’ - ‘The Garden of Live Flowers’ - I decided to portray Alice in a garden bed surrounded by oversized, talking blooms.

'How is it you can all talk so nicely?' Alice said, hoping to get it into a better temper by a compliment. 'I've been in many gardens before, but none of the flowers could talk.'

'Put your hand down, and feel the ground,' said the Tiger-lily. 'Then you'll know why.

Alice did so. 'It's very hard,' she said, 'but I don't see what that has to do with it.'

'In most gardens,' the Tiger-lily said, 'they make the beds too soft — so that the flowers are always asleep.'

This sounded a very good reason, and Alice was quite pleased to know it. 'I never thought of that before!' she said.’

– Lewis Carroll.

Of course in this version we see Alice in all of her sartorial splendour with a little nod to the extraordinary impact she has had on the fashion and beauty industries via an imagined Diptyque scent Wonderland which would, of course, be used as a vase in its namesake habitat.
(As I, myself, do with my own empty vessels at home.)

I hope you like this latest ‘Alice’ illustration.

Prints are available in limited quantities in my shop here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

L-R Concept Art by Walt Disney Studios, Original Pencil Sketch by John Tenniel

spring TWINS

As Winter wraps itself around us down here in the Southern Hemisphere, my news feed (and brain) is filled with images of European Springs and Summers...flower stands in London, Paris and New York overflowing with beautiful blooms.
It's those same said blooms that have made their way to Australia, and my mantle piece is filled with the last of the imported peonies for the season! I'll have to make the most of them until October, when they burst out with our own Spring.
It's perhaps a bit of wishful thinking / wanderlust that led me to create these two blooming beauties. Although, let's be honest, flowers are never far from my mind - or pencil.
I wanted to convey that sense of Spring and the fantasy of filling our arms - or market bags - with as many flowers as we can carry! I'd also like this bike. So...y'know. Draw what you love / covet, I guess!

These sistas as available in my shop now in limited editions of 50 A3 prints only - signed and numbered by me - until sold out.
Buy one, buy both, keep one, gift another to a friend - they're a special pair and now that I offer free postage in Australia and flat rates worldwide - it's probs a good time to double up ;) 
Click here to shop: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop
 

LA PETITE FLEUR

Pretty as a *powder-pink Dior* picture...
Just 9 prints left in the edition of my Thumbelina-inspired 'La Petite Fleur' before she's sold out forever!
To make her yours, visit the shop here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

Don't forget that Australian orders now ship free + International postage is offered at flat rates. 

the SWAN PRINCESS

Re-visiting an old classic with a new take on 'The Swan Princess.'

Whether you know the story from its various incarnations such as 'The Swan Princess,' or Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake,' you are no doubt familiar with the tragic heroine Odette. Cursed by an evil sorcerer (aren't they always) Odette is transformed by night into a beautiful white swan. 
A young prince, Siegfried, happens upon Odette one night  in the forest and becomes enamoured by her, his love the secret to breaking her curse. 
Act III sees the sorcerer deceive the prince by introducing him to his 'daughter,' Odile, the 'black' swan and a doppelgänger for his beloved Odette. The princes falls under her spell, inadvertently ruining Odette's chance of freedom.

The ballet itself is so incredibly beautiful, and the image of the heartbroken swan-girl is iconic.I have delved into this tale previously, but wanted to tackle it again to incorporate more detail; both the black and white swans, the enchanted forest, and that beautiful crescent moon.

'The Swan Queen' is available in my print shop now in a limited edition of 40 A3 prints and 15 A2 prints only.
You can find her here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

Keep scrolling for more 'Swan/Odette' inspired imagery!

Kate Moss photographed by Steven Klein for W Magazine

Tim Walker for Vogue UK

Crista Cober photographed by Kristian Schullerfor Harper's Bazaar Turkey

Letitia Costa photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue Paris

Caroline Trentini photographed by Arthur Elgort for Vogue US

PRADA 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.

PRADA RTW F/W '18 / via VOGUE UK

PRADA RTW F/W '18 / via VOGUE UK

PRADA RTW F/W '18 / via VOGUE UK

the BOTANIST

You'd think I'd be getting tired of the botanical illustrations by now, buuuuut - no such luck!
I decided to draw a little companion to my 'Florist' girl over the last week, because I clearly can't enough of these tiny people.

This is 'The Botanist' - very nearly titled 'Botany Bae' to the now broken dreams of my husband and friends.
But that's an Aussie in-joke. 

This green-thumbed beauty is available in the same sizes and quantities as her (now sold-out) sister! (30 A4 & 30 A3 prints.)
To be honest, I think I like her even more than her floral twin!

You can pick up a print here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

P.S The second artwork in the image above is by the amazing Pippa McManus.

le JARDIN

A new personal work for my folio and store!

Inspired by the song 'Golden Afternoon' from my forever favourite, 'Alice in Wonderland' this piece is all about lazy sun-kissed days spent amongst the flowers and fluttering creatures found in any garden.

You can find prints here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

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

the FLOWER SEEKERS

Just prior to Christmas I received a copy of the Summer edition of Australian magazine The Flower Seekers. Made by flower lovers, for flower lovers, the new issue features a small article on my work, complete with a few pages of images.
Thank you Sonya, and the rest of the team. It was such a lovely way to end the year!

You can find the magazine and order a copy here: www.theflowerseekers.com