Sketch: redraw other's people sketches or not?

Sometimes, you find someone's style of sketching is breathtaking. It can be painting technique, a special scheme of colors or subjects. And as we know, academic drawing is not the only tool for creating fashion illustrations, a lot more important (but not the most) is stylization. 
So, you think "Aw, I want to draw like she".. and then "Can I redraw her sketches or it would be meanly?"
The answer is:  Yes!

I had this question when I was studying fine art. And on the one of the lectures on painting, I heard: 
"Don't be afraid of being misunderstood. Copying and redrawing works of professional masters is the key to gain their skills."

Understanding all process from the blank sheet till completed drawing is a very important. Of course, if you redraw somebody's painting - don't tell that it's yours (your idea and so on), but just learn how to do it.

Learn how lines and shapes act together, how colors mixed and fit each other. 

For some inspiration I'll show you sketches by one of my favorite fashion illustrator, Lovisa Burfitt. 

To-do-list for your collection. Preparing press-release.

You have brilliant idea of unusual fashion design or your amazing clothes collection already sewn, you still have to outline action plan for the future. In first situation, it should be done for planning, you always should be prepared for all possible cases, and act effective. In second, it's just right time for you!:)

When I think about starting some big project as collection (or even mini-collection), there are so many things that have to be solved, and extremely easy to get lost.
So, I'll tell you about required things. It's the foundation and it should always be done before contacting the media.

1.

Collection

 Yes, it is obvious. But make sure that your product has high quality and completely finished.

2.

Lookbook

Good quality pictures of clothes on model with white background (it can be different, but preferred). 

I suggest you to use natural nude make-up but with strong sculpting of the face. Well-defined and sculpted  cheekbones and chin make the model look more expressive.

For example, pictures from lookbook by Barbara Casasola s/s '12.

3.

Stylized photo shoot  

The most interesting part! It's all about style of your brand and you as designer. You create a story. Characters, places, atmosphere, - what people would remember about your brand. It's very extensive subject, I will write posts about it not once.

Example: Kate Moss for W Magazine March '12. 

4.

 Images of clothes with a white background

These pictures are useful for internet shops. But also, you need these pictures for your future press release. If editors of some interesting site/blog/other media would want to write about your collection - it will be a lot more easy for them to add your items in an article or catalog.

Example from polyvore.com (Dorothy Perkins jumper and Bergdorf Goodman platform sandal)

5.

Video

Quality of web-content is changing every year and now video is an integral part of the presentation of the brand in the network (and of course, we remember about the viral marketing).

6.

Site

You should provide as much information about your collection and brand as you can. 

• photo of collection
• "making of.."(photoshoot, collection, runway show) pictures
• scans of magazines and links on media, who wrote about you

Website, blog, facebook page, LiveJournal community - required part of your internet presentation. 

7.

Press release

And finally press release. After you prepared all things above, write a short but succinct review of your collection. 

You need to answer main questions:

1. What special about your collection? 
2. For whom? Who is your character and muse?

Also, don't forget about personal letter to editor(blogger) with information about how to contact you. Specify all of your resources (e-mail, website and so on).

Most of the pictures from: http://www.fashionising.com

Glad to meet you here!
My name is Snezhana Gross.

The greatest passion of mine is a fashion design, for me it's an Art: expressive, unique and breathtaking. When I'm creating look, I think about it as fine art. Clothes like canvas for creating image and story and I adore when this story is truly, honest but dramatic in a good way.


The idea of creating blog came to me a long time ago, but as you know, the hardest thing is to begin. My main aim with this blog is to tell you about creating clothes. All process: from sketch to your collection in shop.

I found, that there is a huge gap between fashion blogs full of pictures from fashion weeks, and blogs with helpful information about manufacturers and industry, but without any tips for newbies.
So, my the biggest hope is that I will motivate and encourage new fashion designers to act and create their own art.

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