Illustrating a new normal in fashion

Vogue India’s June 2020 cover (it’s first print edition in the wake of India‘s extensive lockdown prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic) was a far cry from it’s usual style. Featuring an artwork by Japanese artist Takashi Murukami, the cover showcased the brilliance of the artist who has garnered fans and followers the world over with his signature floral renditions, which are often seen as a mix of traditional Japanese block prints and pop-art. Below Murukami’s art on the cover was an accompanying hashtag: #inthistogether. Back in May 2020, Bazaar India ran a twenty four hour series on it’s social media channels that featured a slew of fashion illustrations by female artists from around the world and was aptly titled ‘#24HoursWithArt’. The motto? Much like Vogue India’s, to foster a sense of empathy and reaffirm the values of community, all through art made by fashion illustrators.

Fashion illustrators – and the broader artist community – are having a moment. When much of the world has resorted to digital tools for both work and play, artists offer a welcome relief from the clutter. Below, we pick some of our favourite fashion illustrators from Paris to Milan and beyond:

Tinneke

Fashion illustrators

Even as a child, Belgium based illustrator Tinneke De Block always had an inclination towards the creative arts. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been drawing at every chance that I get (even all over the attic staircase). Back then, I already knew I wanted to do something creative.” Tinneke graduated with a degree in graphic design and shared her first illustration via her blog in 2010. By 2015, she had officially started offering her skills to clients via custom artworks, illustrations and murals and since then, has expanded to an online shop that retails stationery and art prints featuring her one-of-a-kind illustrations.

Tinneke loves scouring through magazines and fashion blogs for inspiration. Her style – often described as both sensitive and powerful – is reflective in her artwork that showcases women as well as fashion and beauty objects.

Click here for more on Tinneke.

Malika Favre

Fashion illustrators

If French fashion illustrator Malika Favre’s work seems familiar, that is because it is. Favre’s work exhibits a bold play between pop-art and op-art and is favoured by brands and companies of the likes of Sephora, BAFTA, The New Yorker and Vogue. She is also one of the most sought after artists in the United Kingdom (where she is currently based).

Click here for more on Malika Favre.

Angéline Melin

Fashion illustrators

Angéline Melin could easily pass off as one of her illustrations. Long limbed and topped with a pout that is highly emblematic of Melin’s style, her artworks scream Paris and iconic visuals from the French capital. Melin graduated with a diploma from Studio Berçot in 2008 and began working in the fashion industry before a chance detour via her blog led her to take up illustration full-time. Inspired by fashion, Paris and her love for shoes, Melin’s drawings are fresh and spontaneous and have captured hearts of everyone from Cartier to the Westin Hotels and plenty more!

Click here to see more of Angéline Melin’s work.

Anna Wijnands

Take a trip through old Paris with Amsterdam based Anna Wijnand and her couture infused fashion illustrations. Artistic black and white artwork peppered with soothing colours make up Wijnand’s portfolio and is loved by clients that include the likes of Givenchy, Balmain and Estée Lauder. Wijnand also does live illustration events and loves to share her passion via her workshops.

Click here to check out more of her work.

Petra Dufkova

Fashion illustrators

Munich based Petra Dufkova was born in the Czech Republic where she studied art before moving to Germany to study at the International Fashion School Edmond in Munich. Dufkova won the Best Illustration Award for her collection at China Fashion Week and is currently based in Munich from where she works with brands like Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair and the Coca Cola Company.

Click here to view more of Petra Dufkova’s work.

While art may not be considered an essential business in the midst of a global recession, the impact that artists can generate on the psyche of their viewers can very well be classified as so. Here’s hoping that the legacy of fashion illustrations continues well into the new normal and beyond!

All images are courtesy of the respective artists.


– Written by Soha Joshi

Follow the AISPI Instagram and check out our blog to stay updated on the latest from the local fashion community of Europe.

Members only shopping
Login to Access
  • Sign Up
Or Login Using
Please wait. Signing you in...
Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.
Need Help?