New drawing: J crew lace dress

The styling with the pulled back hair and big earrings reminds me very much of comrags's Fall 2015 Collection which was inspired by Tina Modotti.

#illustration #fashion #current #style #illustrator

New illustration: Ginger at the Beach

Inspired by J crew woodcut geo bathing suit and my love of halter tops!

#illustration #fashion #pattern

Inspiration: Edith Head

I saw this book in the window of a vintage clothing store this afternoon (69 Vintage on Queen) and for the rest of the day I've had Edith Head on my mind.

She had a Masters degree in romance languages from Standford but 0 design experience when she was hired as a costume sketch artist at Paramount. She's a great example of faking it till you make it.  
Her incredible people skills, PR savvy, + talent all contributed to her huge success.
Total Inspiration

#businesswoman #costumedesigner #EdithHead #AcademyAwards #kickasswoman #inspiration

New sketch: Elle Decor Editor in Chief Michael Boodro

I read this colour pronouncement on Michael Boodro's Instagram on Friday and thought it was so cute -- just had to make an illustration of it. 
#sketch #illustration #MichaelBoodro #ElleDecorUSA #editor #colour #interiordesign #draw

Illustrations for Globe and Mail Style

I ended 2014 with one of my favourite illustration gigs ever: 

The cover + 6 illustrations for Globe and Mail Style. 

Art direction by Bryan Gee. 

 

Globe Style Cover
I incorporated collage elements into all the illos.

I was really happy with this hand and champagne glasses. 
It was Bryan 's idea to add a gold frame to the server's cuff for an over the top 'richy rich' look.

Had a lot of fun doing this overhead brunch scene. I love drawing hands!

This illo shows how a guest can be helpful for a Holiday host. :-)

This illo accompanied a piece by the owner of Joe Beef.
This 'big group of people celebrating in the woods' scene winter is based on my own very cozy get togethers in my favourite cottage in Kazabazua Quebec. 
Feel cozy just looking at it. :-) #grateful #happy 

#illustration #food illustration #fashion illustration #cooking illustration

File under Funny people

I went to hear Canadian mom turned Hollywood screenwriter /Twitter sensation Kelly Oxford this week.
Funny and inspirational both in terms of both her writing + style.

My Favourite exchange:

Interviewer: Why do you put in so many specific references in your writing like Orphan Annie's broken locket? Aren't you worried that people won't get the references?

Kelly: I put them in to bring my people closer to me. My people get the references. :-)

It's inspiration for me to always create + write from the truest part of myself - and then have confidence that it will resonate with others.

Comrags

I went to a Spring preview at comrags last night and as always it was inspirational.

 I splurged and bought this Isabella dress. 

Love the frill on top -and plan on wearing it - as all my comrags dress - for all 4 seasons!

Might just have to get this one too....

I love dresses with POCKETS. (Handy for the iphone!)

A Few Favourites of 2011

1. Favourite tool: My new iPhone.


LOVE.

2. Favourite Shop/ Rebrand: The Bay!

With CEO Bonnie Brooks at the helm (plus her staff - including the fabulous Arren Williams - yes editorial bias here!) the store has become the epitome of "Cozy Canadiana cool".
I just love all the new products inspired by the iconic striped blanket.

A new book on the Hudson's Bay Co book published by the very styley publisher Assouline.

A cute tee created in collaboration with Shared.

*The Bay's new Bannock restaurant + Foodwares market are also fantastic.*

This is the dining area in the new Foodwares market.
Love that Wall mural.
Again very Cozy Canadiana Cool.

3. Favourite new Style icon :
Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander in the Girl with the Dragon tattoo.

Very kick ass.
I predict she will inspire the return of short hair.

4. Favourite novel: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.


5. Favourite design book: Fornasetti by Patrick Mauries


6. Favourite New Social media gizmo: Pinterest!
LOVE.


A fabulous way to categorize all the great stuff that comes flooding at us on a daily basis.
Their Alexa Rating is now at 209. (!!)
hmm might need to buy some stock when it goes public.... :-)
If you haven't discovered it yet check it out here.

I had lots more faves... will post in the weeks to come.
Happy New Year Everybody.

Film: Guest of Cindy Sherman

Director Paul Ho + Art superstar Cindy Sherman (who was soon to become his girlfriend)
Fashion note: Cindy Sherman has great style in this doc. Understated elegance.

Watched a very fun film with my neighbour Richard tonight: Guest of Cindy Sherman which chronicles director Paul H-O's five year relationship with art superstar Cindy Sherman.
In addition to hilariously showing the perils of being a famous person's "plus one" it also explores art's symbiotic (often absurd) relationship with commerce + celebrity. Fascinating + funny plus serves as a great crash course in the Art world circa 1995-2005. (Appearances by Eric Fischl, Tracey Emin, Julian Schnabel and more.)

joe fresh

The epitome of joe fresh style:
Camel v neck, dark skinny jeans, and flat oxfords.

joe fresh opened a new location at Queen + Portland this week. Crowds lined up around the store for 14.99 long sleeved tees + thermal long johns. Madness! I thought this salesgirl epitomized the look. Would love to do a drawing of her...

Off it goes!

Katherine Yaphe from Oliver Yaphe picking up a print earlier this week.
What a great smile - and jeans!

Book Launch with Misha Glouberman + Sheila Heti

Sheila Heti + Misha Glouberman at last night's launch at the Garrison

Last night's book launch of The chairs are where the people go was very entertaining. I found Misha Glouberman to be insightful, hilariously self deprecating and instantly likable. Sheila Heti was charming, articulate and rocking her librarian chic style as usual.
Here are some favourite lines from the Q + A:

Q: How did the book come about?
Sheila: I just sat down and typed what Misha said. Lucky for me he speaks in fully formed paragraphs.

Q: Is there a main theme to your approach?
Misha: Well I don't wanna say something trite like "flattening of hierarchies' but I guess the answer is hmm... flattening of hierarchies!

Q: What are American Audiences like?
Misha: They used to be very taken with Canada. They'd often ask "Is it true that every Canadian smokes pot and is married to a gay person?!!" That's all changed now that they have a good president and we have bad prime minister.

Q: What would this book be like if it was illustrated?
Misha: It would not be illustrated! It's a book for grown ups! (Said very tongue in cheek)
Uh oh.... I'm gonna be beat up by a graphic novelist as soon as I get off this stage.

Quite great.

News: Oliver Yaphe Shop

Oliver Yaphe's Website
Love the clean + contemporary look.

This is Skinny - my fave Oliver Yaphe Rug
Very sophisticated colour combo- especially that limey green against the beige!

Starting today my prints will be sold through Oliver's Yaphe's online shop
under the "Stuff we Love" tag

My prints share space with this gorgeous leather tote bag by Clare Vivier.
I feel it quietly announces "I'm all grown up now" and I think I need it. :-)

I'm happy to announce that starting today my prints will be sold through Oliver Yaphe's new online shop. Oliver Yaphe is a beautiful rug company run by owner + designer Katherine Yaphe. The company also has a great blog which is full of stunning interiors + gorgeous furniture ideas - many from Europe + Asia with a decidedly minimalist bent. Katherine started the shop this month to share her enthusiasm with products which she really believes in.
My prints can be found under the "Stuff we love" Tag. I'm thrilled to be sharing space with
Mater Stools from Copenhagen, Books by Phaidon, + Bags by Clare Vivier amongst many other gorgeous items.

Must Order

J Crew's Retro Dot Underwire Tank
Swimming Pool Here I Come.

Bill Cunningham New York

Going to see this tonight. Can't wait.
ps. love Agyness Deyn's style in upper left corner.

Liz Kingstone: Style mentor!

Liz showing me her latest favourite Decor book:
A Perfectly Kept House is the Sign of A Misspent Life by Mary Randolph Carter
(Apologies for blurry photo!)

Over wine I admire Liz's latest creative endeavour:
Livingroom chair decorated by her son Henry with pink fabric markers!

The same corner when shot for Wish magazine in December 09.
(Also featured on Poppytalk here)
In typical Liz fashion she has switched up the space in every way including changing up all art work + furniture and painting the victorian pine floors white!
(My Big orange scissor print has moved upstairs and is now flipped horizontally over a pull out couch!)

On the weekend I had a visit with my friend + total style mentor Liz Kingstone.
(I originally mentioned Liz + her husband Steve Brearton here back in 09 when their fabulous house was featured in Wish magazine)
I met Liz years ago when I was living in Cabbagetown and was immediately blown away by her fearless attitude toward decorating. She's a woman who is not afraid to paint her hallway bright pink, knit her own 10 foot high curtains or rearrange her entire livingroom whenever the mood strikes! (The fact that she does this all while also teaching, designing jewelry and raising 3 boys has always left me a bit awe struck)
A visit with Liz is always complete balm for the soul and style inspiration.

New Spring shoes

Do we like these shoes?

Good. Cuz I bought them.
Found at one of my favourite shoe stores: Scarpino at 311 Queen St. West.

Great style from last night

Sophie B at Toronto Fashion week

Saw this gal Sophie B at the Comrags show last night and had to take a shot of her. Thought she had such a great pulled together style - loved the flowery blouse + peg leg pants and grrr.. how'd she get her hair to go like that? :-) She very much reminded me of a young Fran Liebowitz.

ps. Extra excited as I've just gotten a nice illustration assignment on the topic of androgyny. Sophie will serve as inspiration for it. Can't wait to show you sketches after the piece is published!

Yay this is tonight.

Comrags is always an inspiration.

Inspiration: J. Crew ads + Real People!

This is Bridgette with great style.

From the latest brilliant email campaign from J. Crew.
In this one the company asked 9 J. Crew employees to show how they'd wear their capris. Each woman imbued them with her own unique style.

J. Crew really knows how to sell stuff.

Also - is very significant to note that the rise of design blogs like the Sartorialist has led to companies using real people in their ad campaigns. These women are much more inspirational than skinny 15 year olds. yay. Christine Lemieux of Dwell Studio recently made a similar point that the best interior design these days is coming from real people.