Illustration by Zarina Liew

Fashion and illustration have always worked well together (after all, where does an outfit start but on the tip of a pencil). Our favourite combinations are cute, quirky and fairytale-like, whether it’s the gothic and playful work of Kate Moss’s favourite pen and ink guy, Rory Dobner, or Fifi Lapin’s daily wardrobe updates, we’re in awe.

We spoke to our current obsession, fashion illustrator Zarina Liew, about fairytales, fashion and following her dreams…
If you haven’t yet seen Zarina’s exquisite work, we suggest you take a look. They’re feminine, fluid, and as Zarina herself explains, ‘all very soft and whimsical, not at all graphic.’ And the fashion focus? ‘My illustrations tend to be an extension of everything I wish for’ explains Zarina. Here are a few of her favourites…


Akane: for Beautiful Soul’s FW’10 Campaign

This was the first time I went crazy with inks. It was also my first commissioned piece for a designer and I really felt I’d found my style – this one means a lot to me.


Spring-time playmates (Erdem SS’11): Personal work

This was a personal piece of work and because of that I was able to take my style in a new direction, and experiment with capturing movement for the first time. It’s a playful illustration and represents quite a step in my career.

Unsurprisingly Zarina claims ERDEM as one of her favourite designers. ‘I love his use of pattern and colour,’ she explains. But more often than not a tiny detail (a bow tie, a shade or a fabric) rather than a whole collection will be the start of a one of her intricate illustrations. ’Recently I loved the ice cream colours and lace details from Louis Vuitton’s spring collection, they really jumped out to me.’

Source

We asked Zarina if she could sketch something beautiful to accompany the shot of her bag we featured earlier this week. Here’s what she’ll look like when she’s flitting around at the London shows….

What I’ll be doing during fashion week.

I’m wearing my favourite Alexander Wang dress, Eddie Borgo Bracelet, Blakegodbold necklace, TopShop glitter boots, and Tory Burch handbag.

If you want to meet Zarina in the flesh she’ll be sketching some personal illustrations at the Bourjois pop-up boutique in London, from 16th-20th February.

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