BOOK LAUNCH: Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration

As mentioned in my previous post, my work has been featured in Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration alongside many other fantastic and talented illustrators.  Just over a week ago I went along to the book launch which was held at 123 Bethnal Green Road in East London.  

Image courtesy of Volt Cafe

               

During the day there was a tea party with herbal tea supplied by Pukka Herbs, scones and cakes by Lily Vanilli, a live illustration event and lots of interviews with Amelia Gregory of Amelia's Magazine, who complied and published the book herself.

Stunning #ACOFI inspired cake by Lily Vanilli, photo courtesy of Lira Leirner

I arrived with my boyfriend Jay (check out his motion design reel here- he's mega talented) when the band 6 Day Riot were just about to start playing.  I hadn't heard of them before but they put on an electric performance which really got the crowd going.  The atmosphere was buzzing and I spent the next few hours meeting lots of interesting people.

I was particularly excited to meet some of the wonderful illustrators from the book.  I wish I'd met all of them!  It was lovely meeting Lesley Barnes who is a massively talented illustrator and animator.  She looked super sweet in her vintage dress and had some amazing accessories!

   Lovely Lesley Barnes

                                                       
I also got chatting to Natsuki Otani, Bex Glover, and Zarina Liew who are also illustrators for the book.  They are all such inspiring ladies!

  Super talented Zarina Liew and her man

Fun chats with Bex Glover, her boyfriend Paul, and Jay

I very briefly met some of the other illustrators- Emma Block, Abby Wright, Andrea Peterson and Jenny Robins... again I wish I could have spent more time talking to them as they are all such exciting and creative talents.

I was thrilled to meet fashion designer Satoshi Date, whose designs I illustrated in the book.  He showed me a catalogue of his designs which was amazing.  He feels so passionately about ethical design and infuses many traditional Japanese influences into his work.  

Satoshi Date and his lovely friend Nobuko

                                             

My illustration for Satoshi Date's fashion designs

                                         

Satoshi Date's amazing fashion design

                                                 
It was also inspiring to meet fashion designer Lira Leirner.  She was really interesting to chat to.  I checked out her designs after the party, she creates a real eclectic mix of pieces, which shows a diverse, experimental way with fabrics and concepts.  Check out her designs here.

Beautiful contrast of elegant simplicity and raw fabrics- I love this dress by Lira Leirner

      
Later in the evening I got chatting to Maxine Ashleigh Johnston, aka jewellery designer Little Miss Delicious.  We both discovered a shared love for bright red Mac lippy and monochrome!  We both had the exact same shade of lipstick and had on black and white dresses.  I think you would all agree she looked fabulous.  I took a look at her jewellery designs after the launch.  Maxine makes super cute pieces with polymer clay which she then hand paints.  They are quite simply delicious!

Jewellery designer Little Miss Delicious

                                               

Exquisitely crafted and fun... jewellery design by Little Miss Delicious

                   

Towards the end of the night I got the chance to chat to Amelia Gregory herself.  She looked stunning wearing Beautiful Soul and was full of life.  What an inspiration.  Congratulations Amelia.

With Bex Glover and Amelia Gregory

                                              

Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration

Yesterday I received my copy of Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration, which is a beautiful new book created by Amelia Gregory of Amelia's Magazine.  The book showcases a selection of both Ethical Fashion Designers and Fashion Illustrators.  It's jam packed full of fabulous, inspiring fashion illustrations, and also includes interviews with the illustrators and fashion designers themselves, providing an interesting insight into their ideas, ethics and creative processes.  The thought, time and love put into this book is evident in each and every page- which has been carefully put together solely by Amelia herself.  I feel really proud to have my illustrations as part of such an exciting and relevant book!  Take a look at some of the photos- and do get yourself a copy, beacause it is an absolute beauty!

Along with the book I also received some gorgeous bookmarks and postcards which was a lovely surprise!

Here are some of the pages showcasing my illustrations.  These include my own interpretations of pieces by ethical fashion designers Satoshi Date and Hannah Marshall:

And also a selection of some of my favourite illustrators from the book.  Firstly, Zarina Liew's dreamy, inky creations.  I love the way she draws the female form and emphasises the curves so beautifully.  They are magical.

I also found Katie Harnett's illustrations really inspiring.  There is so much detail in her linear, delicate drawings.  In particular I like the way she draws faces, so sweet and doll-like.

Yelena Bryksenkova has a lovely style of drawing.  I love all the textures she includes in her work, and there is something very innocent and endearing in the faces she draws.

Andrea Peterson is a very talented illustrator who also created the pretty front cover for the book.  Her careful detail to attention in line and use of vibrant, inky colours remind me of Art Nouveau.  There is something in the way she draws the eyes as well. 

Naomi Law's illustrations are made with a combination of watercolours and photoshop.  The finished results are beautiful, I love the combination of the textures of the watercolour paint, the negative space, and the crisp, clean finish to her work.  

Last but definitely not least, is Lesley Barnes, whose work has me in awe because it really is so unique and fascinating.  She combines collage with digital techniques to create a really distinctive style.  I love the simplicity of the shapes combined with the intricate patterns, and her use of colours is fantastic.  So inspiring!