Invitation: Illustrating for Vogue & B. Brian Atwood

 
I'm excited to share that I'll be live illustrating for Vogue Magazine this fashion week and you're invited! We'll be celebrating the launch of the new B. Brian Atwood handbag collection. Vogue along with Helena Glazer of Brooklyn Blonde will be hosting the soirée and I'll be on hand live-sketching guests with their new B. Brian Atwood handbags, giving each customer an original custom fashion illustration as a unique and personal gift with purchase.

Where: Bloomingdale's 59th Street on the Balcony

1000 Third Avenue

New York City

When: Wednesday, September 11th, 6-8:00 PM

Enjoy stunning bags in an intoxicating mix of shapes, textures and skins along with cocktails, sweet treats, and fashion illustrations. Hope to see you there!

Custom Fashion Illustrations for Vogue & Lucky Brand

Recently I had the pleasure of live sketching fashion illustrations at another event for Vogue Magazine. Vogue joined Lucky Brand in celebrating the launch of their made in America capsule collection. It was a great little cocktail party where guests got to mingle with Vogue staffers, shop the new Lucky Brand store in New York's Time Warner Center and receive a custom fashion illustration of themselves drawn on the spot by yours truly as a unique gift with purchase.

Its always fun to sit down with guests and chat as I illustrate them but at this event one of the guests shared with me that the only reason she came to the party was to get sketched by me! She's a fashion illustration fan and was eager to see the process of how my fashion illustrations takes shape. The Vogue summer interns were also attendees/fashion illustration models (two of the girls are shown in this post in their little black dresses.) Since this was their very last Vogue event of the summer before heading back to college, they each got a sketch of themselves as a nice little "end of internship keepsake." All in all in was another great of live sketching for Vogue.

For questions about my live-sketching or if you'd like rates for a corporate event or private party of your own, email me at FabulousDoodles@gmail.com. 

Punk: Chaos to Couture at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Friday I popped by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to finally see the newest exhibit from the Costume Institute, Punk: Chaos to Couture. I was pretty frazzled with custom illustration orders and primping and packing for a wedding weekend, but I passed by and thought I should check it out before the summer crowds start piling in. Well, this exhibit was just the break I needed and I highly suggest stopping by if you're in New York.

Punk: Chaos to Couture spotlights punk's impact on high fashion from the early 70's to present day. I couldn't resist being a bit punk and snapping a few photos to share and instagram (shown above,) even though "photography is prohibited" in this exhibit.

(Top Image: The Metropolitan Museum of Art) 

The  designer fashion, the fabulous punk-fro's, and the entire exhibit space was a wild new look for the formal and sometimes stuffy Met. The walls were textured and graffitied, the lighting was dark with pops of bright color, and the music obviously, was loud punk. The exhibit was broken up into different themes by room, and being the crafty girl I am, I have to say my favorite room was the DIY Hardware room, (shown above, top photo) with studded, pinned, chained and torn designer ensembles from Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, and Gianni Versace.

(Fashion Illustration: Brooke Hagel, Window Display: Bergdorf Goodman) 

As I mentioned I was away this weekend for a wedding and didn't have a chance to sketch anything straight from the exhibit, but I did sketch a few punk inspired illustrations a few weeks ago after live sketching at a Vogue party on the upper east side. After the event I took a little stroll along 5th Avenue and was floored by the Bergdorf Goodman windows inspired by the punk exhibit. I came right home and sketched a bunch of my favorite looks from the punk themed windows. The sketch shown above is a beaded Chanel top and skirt. Instead of drawing a face, I paired it with the outrageous punk pom-pom-fros that are shown throughout the Punk exhibit (shown below) and left the skin white, as shown on the mannequins.

(Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, dresses by Zandra Rhodes 1977) 

Punk: Chaos to Couture will be on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art now through August 14th, 2013 and I high recommend checking it out, as well as the fantastic Bergdorf Goodman windows it inspired.

(Window: Bergdorf Goodman, Fashion Illustration: Brooke Hagel) 

To see more images from the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit, click on over to the Met's exhibit page here and to see more of the wild Bergdorf Goodman windows inspired by the Punk exhibit check out 5th/58th, Bergdorf's blog. And to see my favorite looks from the Met Ball, the opening night gala for the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit click here.

I'm thinking my Etsy shop could use a little punk fashion infusion, I may list these illustrations as prints in the shop later this week.

Anthropologie Peter Som Collaboration

Since I love a designer sketch I was thrilled to find in my inbox the latest Anthropologie newsletter featuring these fabulous doodles by designer Peter Som. Som has teamed up with Anthro for this fun collaboration and they've chosen to highlight his lifelong love of sketching into the announcement. Som's sketches are charmingly playful and clearly reflect the garment designs while remaining fairly stylized, clean and simple.

Being a fan of Peter Som and a loyal customer of Anthropologie I'm really looking forward to seeing this collection in person."There'e a mutual love of print and pattern and color. What they really do is make happy cloths, and thats what I do too." -Peter Som 

(Illustrations by Peter Som, Photos by Anthropologie)

Fashion Illustrations for InStyle & Gap

I'm so excited to share my recent sketches for Gap and InStyle! You're invited to come tomorrow night and see my fashion illustrations of some of Gap's "Outfit's We ♥." You can snap a picture with my sketches on the Gap Art Wall, as well as say hello and watch me sketch the two super stylish hosts of the evening, Kimberly Pesch of Eat.Sleep.Wear and Christine Cameron of My Style Pill.

Where: Gap, 60 West 34th Street @ Broadway 

When: Tursday Dec. 6th 6:30-8:30

RSVP: INSTYLE_GAP@TIMEINC.COM

Enjoy cocktails, treats, fashion illustrations and 30% off your purchases! Hope to see you there! 

Fabulous Doodles 2012 Gift Guide

I am so excited to share the Fabulous Doodles 2012 gift guide. This year I focused on 5 unique categories; gifts for the entrepreneur/artist with a home office, fashion books with style, gifts for your "label lover" best friend, movies featuring fashion on film, and one of my favorites from last year, gifts for the little artist.

As an illustrator who works from home I can tell you the importance of having a studio/office space that is both functional and chic. An efficient work space has to be both functional and well designed, especially when working from home where its so easily to be distracted. My studio is a constant rotation of beautiful pieces that I've collected over the years.

(1. Brooklit Fashion Illustration Mini Print $6 2. Rock Our Work Agate Bookends $39 3. Brooklit Fashion Illustration Notepad $7 4. Nate Berkus for Target Round Tray $29.99 5. Kate Spade Business Card Case $58 6. West Elm Owl Mug $8 7. Freshly Picked Leather Mouse Pad $35)

Gifting art is a creative and often affordable option, especially with Etsy. My "mini print" fashion illustrations come individually or you could choose a set of three that echo the personality and style of the person you're giving it to and their space. The raw naturally beauty of agate bookends compliment any home office. I bought mine at Home Goods, but found these similar ones online. Other elements that could glam up a work space include trays like this Nate Berkus for Target beauty, which could hold cute little notepads like my "Zoey" fashion illustration pad, bowls of supplies, or a great mug of pens and pencils like the West Elm metallic owl. The geometric printed leather mouse pads are a splurge but well worth it for an everyday essential. And when networking and exchanging cards it's so important to present yourself polished and professional which is why a quality leather business card holder like this gold Kate Spade one is a wonderful gift for any entrepreneur, artist, or designer.

(1. Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington $19 2. Masters of Fashion Illustration by David Downton $19 3. Vogue Covers $91 4. Harper's Bazaar: Greatest Hits by Glenda Bailey $40 5. Survival Kit: Fashion $109 6. 100 Dresses: The Costume Institute/The Met $16.95 7. Brooklit Bookmarks $3.50)

Beautiful books make for a spectacular gift that can be appreciated for years and years. There are so many stunning fashion books available that its hard to choose which to feature. Vogue recently released this great book of vintage covers with an equally great black on black silhouetted cover. Last year I fell in love with a similar book of cover from Harper's Bazaar. For any admirer of fashion illustration David Downton's Masters of Fashion Illustration is must have. Assouline books are gorgeous and this collection of four making up their Fashion Survival Kit would be quite the killer gift. Lastly is Grace, the anticipated memoir of Vogue's Creative Director Grace Coddington. I cannot wait to read this! I'm traveling to Paris for the holidays and thinking is the ideal read for my trip. Need an accessory to the book you're giving? A fashion illustration bookmark would be a great little addition to any of these books.

(1. Chanel Lip Balm $32.50 2. Tom Ford by Tom Ford $85 3. Brooklit Notecard $5 4. Rachel Zoe Ornament $40 5. Alexander Wang Purse $79 (on sale!) 6. Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad Case $98 7. Spun Sugar Paperie Chanel Watercolor Print $19 8. Brian Atwood for Target Leather Gloves $49.99)

Tom Ford, the designer who epitomizes luxury and style also happens to have beautiful bold book that I spot constantly on the shelves of fashion elite in editorial shoots and television. For the designer label lover we all know and love I've also found some affordable giftables. Who knew Chanel made lip balm!? I sure didn't. What a jaw dropping alternative to boring old chapstick. Sending a fashion illustration card featuring a designer label, like the Lazarro gown drawn on my "lucky lady" card is another great little gift, as is Rachel Zoe's chic ornament from the Child Mind Institute's Celebrity Ornament Collection. Designer accessories are always a hit and who wouldn't be thrilled to see a little Alexander Wang, Marc by Marc Jacobs or Brian Atwood under their tree. And last but not least, a wonderful gift that would look great in every girls boudoir, is this lovely print I found on Etsy of a watercolor painting of a classic Chanel perfume.

(1. Coco Before Chanel 2. Valentino: The Last Emperor 3. The September Issue 4. The Thomas Crown Affair 5. Audrey Hepburn Triple Feature 6. The Devil Wears Prada)

Movies make great little gifts for your closest friends to your office secret Santa. Here is a handful of my favorite fashion films great for gifting: Coco Before Chanel is the wonderful story of how Coco Chanel began her career. Valentino The Last Emperor is a the must watch documentary that I've gushed about here before. The September Issue documents the making of Vogue's biggest issue of the year and features Creative Director Grace Coddington who steels the show. You can't help but be in awe of her heartfelt passion, creativity and integrity. The 1999 Thomas Crown Affair remake showcases a flawless wardrobe worn by Renee Russo, which was primarily designed by Michael Kors for Celine and Halston. The triple feature dvd of Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy and Edith Head, well really, enough said. And lastly the Devil Wears Prada which I actually once gave to a fashion industry boss as a holiday gift! (He loved it.)

(1. The Fashion Coloring Book by Carol Chu $9 2. Jonathan Adler Whale Eraser $9.95 3. Fashion Origami $9 4. Met Kids Sketchpad $7.99 5. Play-Doh $8 6. Fingerprint Art Set $10)

For the little artist in your life how about giving this chic fashion coloring book? And if they're concerned with staying in the lines then the giant Jonathan Adler whale eraser will do the trick. Fashion origami!? So much better than the fortune tellers and stars we used to make. The MetKids Chunky Sketchpad is a great gift for any little artist to get their sketch on and a classic set of Play-Doh is heaven for those who like to work with their hands and create. And last but not least a wonderful little craft set that helps you turn your fingerprints into fancy little fairies.

Hope you enjoyed this years gift picks. Will you be picking up any as gifts? Happy shopping and hope you all have a fabulous holiday!

Holiday Sale!

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving yesterday and are all fueled up to get your shopping on. To kick of the holiday season I'm offering 15% off in both my fashion illustration Etsy shops starting today, Black Friday into Small Business Saturday and right through Cyber Monday. Simply use coupon code "Holiday15" for 15% off in either my fashion illustration shop Brooklit, or my bridal illustration shop Brooklit Bride.

(Illustration by Brooke Hagel)

Party Guest Illustrations for Vogue & Piperlime {Part 2}

Time for more fashion illustrations from my live-sketching at the Piperlime store preview party hosted by Vogue. Sorry its taken so long to post part two, September turned out to be a crazy month! This was such a fabulous event to be a part of and resulted in some great illustrations to add to my portfolio of live event sketches.

There was quite the spectrum of sketchable models (aka. chic party guests) in attendance to preview the beautiful new Piperlime Soho store. I got to sketch everyone from fashion bloggers, Vogue staffers and Piperlime shoe designers to teachers and private jet flight attendants! Everyone seemed to love their sketches and were thrilled to be taking them home as a custom favor.  

It was truly an honor to be hired by Vogue and Piperlime to sketch at this event and hopefully it will be the first many. To see more sketches and the guests that inspired them, check out Part 1, and afterwards you can even click over to this Piperlime video covering the event and see if you can spot some of the guests I drew. (I spotted 6!)

For questions about my live-sketching or you're interested in my rates for your next corporate event or private party you can email me at FabulousDoodles@gmail.com.

Party Guest Fashion Illustrations for Vogue & Piperlime {Part 1}

A few nights ago I was honored to work for Vogue and Piperlime illustrating guests at an exclusive preview party for the very first Piperlime store, here in Manhattan. The beautiful new store was packed with designer labels, lust worthy shoes and jewelry, and hundreds of guests all eager to have their outfits captured in a custom fashion illustration.

I want to share some of my models (aka. Vogue & Piperlime party guests) here along with the quickie sketches they inspired and got to take home as a custom party favor. The guests were all so great to draw in their fun and flirty end-of-summer party dresses.

Throughout the party I was busy sketching away while chatting with my models/guests but afterwards on my way uptown, I shared via Twitter and Instagram (@Brooklit) a few snapshots from the night, also shown below.

Later in the week as I'll be posting more favorite sketches, guests and photos from my memorable night with Vogue and Piperlime, so stay tuned.

Brooklyn Ballerina Tote Bag

My Brooklit Shop now has its first tote bag featuring one of my favorite fashion illustrations, Brooklyn Ballerina alongside the quote "Dream until your dreams come true." I made the first one months ago for myself and pretty much use it daily. Many of my friends have requested one, and I've even been stopped on the street, in elevators and on the subway by people commenting on how cute it is and asking where they can get one! The Brooklyn Ballerina bag is now available in my shop and would make the perfect gift for any fashion loving graduate, friend making a big move or birthday gift for the hard to shop for green-girl.  (It also looks pretty cute just hanging around, as shown here on my vintage 1944 dress form!) Click here to purchase your own 100% cotton canvas Brooklit tote.

Holiday Gift Sales

This holiday season I'm participating in two charitable gift sales with my fashion illustrations! What's even more exciting is that both are free and open to the public.

To kick off Chanukah, on thursday Dec 2nd I will be at the Jewish Enrichment Center's holiday gift sale. Its an after work event, right here in Manhattan on West 13th Street. A percent of the proceeds of each item sold will go to the Birthright Israel Alumni Community. I've been working on new products and I plan to offer a wide selection of prints, cards, gift tags, bookmarks and pocket mirrors from my shop. (Just in case you need more incentive to stop by, there will be Chanukah latkes and wine!)

In addition to participating in the sale as a vendor, I was asked to design a few graphics for the website and newsletters. I went with a stack of gifts (shown above) and this couple shopping for the invite and website. (I tend to avoid drawing men but it was necessary here, so it didn't look like a girls night out event.)

The second sale I'm participating in is just across the Hudson. Holiday Expressions: An Evening of Art will be out in Rutherford New Jersey on December 9th. A portion of the proceeds from all the artwork sold will help support the Rutherford Food Bank and the Good Shepherd Church.

For details on the Dec. 2nd sale click here for the Jewish Enrichment Center, and for the Dec. 9th sale click here for the Holiday Expressions facebook page. Hope to see you there!

Inside the Sketchbook: Club Monaco

I happen to live a few blocks away from a Club Monaco store that I pass by multiple times everyday. The window displays and merchandising are always superb but this week they literally stopped me in my tracks. The entire window consists of fashion illustrations that look like they're ripped right from a designers sketchbook! The first time I walked by was evening and the store was closed so I had to settle for taking some pictures and letting my mind wander; are they student work, are they the interns, or are they from the Club Monaco design team?

Well I went back during store hours, spoke with the manager, and after she did a little research she called me with the answer! All the illustrations are by one woman: Caroline Belhumeur, Club Monaco's Vice President of Women's Design Apparel and Accessories.

I adore Caroline's technique and the way she uses simple contouring without loosing any design details. I also love that the croquis are so well-styled and complete with glasses, handbags, and even jewelry. The original illustrations can be seen in the 57th street store and all the other stores display copies. I absolutely love this concept for store displays. You get to see how the designer intended for the clothing to look, get styling ideas, and see the fabulous fashion illustrations that started it all.

These sketches inspire me to pick up my sketchbook and a pencil and let the idea's flow. Lately my sketches are solely for clients and have a distinct direction, such as a "profile of a bride." Its hard sometimes to make time for sketching for the sake of sketching.

Thank you Shannon, for using your investigation skills and helping me out!

Sassy Silhouettes

While shopping with my mom yesterday I spotted these funky silhouettes and I had to snap a picture for you. I love a great silhouette. Be it fashionable, countrified or even traditional, I love them all. These silhouette collections were part of the store merchandising display within the Kensie clothing department of Macys.

I've been a fan of silhouette's since long before they were trendy. Anyone who has placed an order from my shop (here) may have noticed that their order comes with a custom stamp on the package of "my girls" in silhouette with the shop web address beneath it. They were based off project I made back in college. (My BYW mood board from a previous post, had some pretty fabulous silos you could check out here too.)

Retail Therapy: Project 360 Heart Hoodie

This happens to be one of the softest and coziest garments I've ever owed and its cute to boot. Although I've been a long time fan of Team Project360 (a close friend of mine is the CEO and I always support my girls!) it wasn't until two weeks ago while out in LA, that I actually bought my first piece from the collection and have barely taken it off since! (In my Oscars post, you can spot me wearing it will prepping my illustrations.)

My limited edition hoodie (originally made for Valentines day) is made of organic cotton and recycled leather. Each item in the earth-friendly collection is made with the goal of generating awareness of global issues. The philosophy behind the company is that "even the smallest act can make the biggest difference to a person in need." So you can have this chic and cozy staple that you won't want to take off while helping to better the planet. Since purchasing my heart hoodie and falling in love with it I've had to place a second order. (My "LOVE" hoodie is on its way.) If you would like one too they are available at upscale retailers Henri Bendel, Fred Segal, and Charlotte Ronsen or online here.

And now, drum roll please. . .I'm pleased to announce that you can enter here to win a Project360 leather bracelet! I mentioned to my friend that I was posting about my fabulous hoodie and she offered up 3 bracelets for my first ever giveaway! You can chose from six different words that benefit six different charities. Simply comment below with your name, email address, and the bracelet you would want; Love, Empower, Truth, Hope, Peace or Dream. You can also follow Team Project 360 on Twitter (here) or become a facebook fan (here) then let me know you did so by commenting again. Meaning you can enter up to three times! Three winners will be chosen. You can enter until midnight March 23rd. Good luck everyone! I wish I could win, these babies are worth $68 each!

Blog it Forward: Inspired by...

Today's post is all about what inspires me. This post is part of Blog it Forward. I'd first like to send a big thank you to Victoria of SFgirlbybay for arranging this, it's been so fantastic to read through what inspires people and discover new blogs in the process. Yesterday was Every Little Wonder's turn and tomorrow will be Fashion Foir Gras, so be sure to check them out as well. Now without further ado, here is what inspires me and many of my fashion illustrations:

First up, New York. I love my city, there's simply no other place like it. In the city that never sleeps there is inspiration around every corner. From the people walking the streets to the museums and exhibits that you stumble upon, to the city itself, New York is one of a kind. New Yorkers too for that matter! (Every trip I've taken abroad people have called me and/or my friends out as being New Yorkers!)

My Fabulous Friends. I have an amazing group of friends that are my little secret tribe of muses. I'm constantly inspired by them, from outfits they show up to dinner in to photo's they post on facebook to their latest hair styles! Elements of my friends show up in almost every illustration I create.

Traveling. I absolutely love to travel and explore new places. The two activities that I think are vital when traveling are people watching and shopping. One of the biggest perks of traveling is the being exposed to new things and new people. It's so interesting to observe women of other cultures and see how they style themselves. (Dylan is an illustration I made after visiting Iceland. With the exception of the brown hair, because almost every woman there was platinum blond, her entire look was inspired by the Reykjavik locals.) It's also essential to shop while traveling. Local markets are great, but a little secret of mine when shopping abroad is to head to the dollar store! I've gotten the most interesting little housewares, art supplies, and fun finds in foreign dollar stores.

Shopping. It shouldn't only be done while traveling! I love to see what's out there, I don't even have to buy. (Although I do have to say, there's nothing like the high of a fabulous new purchase.) Shops are such a great resource for inspiration. From the products, to the merchandising, to the store decor, windows and sales people. Shown above are two of my favorite purchases I've photographed and written about here before (the glass dish and studded flats) and some fabulous lanterns I spotted, but passed up, in a market in Egypt.

Hope you enjoyed reading about and seeing my photo's of what inspires me. :) Definitely try to check out some of the other ladies participating in Blog it Forward.

Retail Therapy: Love Birds?

Today I'm off to a wedding, my dad is getting remarried! I found these bride and groom rubber duckies at Michael's and couldn't resist. I have a "real" gift in the works but since I couldn't arrive empty handed I bought these cuties. What's so ironic is I literally wrote an article (here) on giving the perfect "Wow Wedding Gift" and this is what I'm handing them on their wedding day?!?!

Retail Therapy: Sterling Hoops

For YEARS I've been searching for these hoops. I first noticed them on Halle Berry. They must be favorites of hers because she's been photographed wearing them everywhere from the grocery store to the red carpet. What's so cool about them is that they have a post behind them so the hoop sits on your ear lobe and doesn't go through it. I love the graphic look of them and that they're a twist on a classic. It suddenly occurred to me to check Etsy for them, and voila there they were! India y la Luna's etsy shop is where I was able to finally find my hoops, made of sterling silver, and hand crafted by Gaby in Argentina, making them all the more fabulous...That and the fact that I traded some of my prints in exchange for them! Thanks Gaby, I love them!

Retail Therapy: Glass Dish

Last week the ladies over at Material Girls had a post about the fabulousness of Home Goods. Home Goods is a store I love and over the years have found some fantastic finds at, both for my home and for countless photoshoots I've styled. Being that I live in Manhattan, which is lacking a Home Goods, I don't get to go there too often anymore. After reading their post I decided I was due a trip out there. My little find of the day was this little glass and silver dish. It was actually in the bath area, and I is meant to be a soap dish but I love it on my dresser as a jewelry catchall. You can't tell from the photo's but it has about a 3/4" pedestal, a smoked silver rim, weighs a ton and was only $6.99!

I also treated myself to some flowers. I was craving a yellow bouquet to split up and put around the apartment but the pink ones were half the price, so pink it is. ;)

Retail Therapy: new shoes

For me there's nothing like some retail therapy to lift my spirits. Finding that perfect "thing" that is "just so you", it's such a high. I've been a little down lately, worrying about life, my career, my future, and just all those issues that us girls worry about. This past sunday after brunching with 2 girlfriends we ended up strolling around my neighborhood and doing some unexpected shopping, and it was just what I needed. I completely fell in love with these shoes, and had to have them (even though I have no business shopping right now...) Well I LOVE them, so much so that I thought I'd share them here with you. Maybe I'll start posting some of my fabulous finds from time to time.

They're genuine leather, pale blush pink, pointy tow flats with square silver studs. Surprisingly, they're Steven by Steve Madden. Originally $129.00, but thanks to Loehmanns and my birthday discount, I got them for $50! (Zappos has them on sale too.) And my rug is a crewel work rug by Williams Sonoma Home... I feel like I'm 5 years old, I don't want to take them off!