NYFW Party Sketching for Vogue & Brian Atwood

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of live-sketching party guest fashion illustrations for Vogue magazine on the last night of New York Fashion Week. This event was in celebration of the new B. Brian Atwood handbag collection, and was held at Bloomingdales flagship NYC store. It was hosted by Helena Glazer, the impeccably dressed and always uber-chic fashion blogger behind Brooklyn Blonde (shown above with my sketch of her, which was the first of the evening.)

Since this event had such a large crowd, the fashion illustrations were given as a gift with purchase to anyone who bought a bag form the collection. Most of the part guests were women, including lots of Vogue staffers and the Brian Atwood team, but I did illustrate one man, Brian's handsome partner Dr. Jake Deutsch. He's also the only sketch of the night [understandably] not sporting a new purse!

It was great end to NY Fashion Week live sketching with Vogue and Brian Atwood at Bloomingdales!  I hope you enjoy a few of my pictures and sketches from the night.

If your interested in rates for live-sketching at a corporate event or private party of your own, or have a question, you can email me at FabulousDoodles@gmail.com.

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. 

Pandora Jewelry Illustrations

Two weeks ago I was flown out to Los Angeles to live sketch fashion illustrations for a garden party at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills in honor of Pandora's newest jewelry collection. This party was unique because the majority of the guests were stylists, costume designers, and studio executives whom were being shown the collection with the goal of getting product placement in photo-shoots, television shows and movies. For years I wanted to be a costume designer and throughout college (FIT) most of my internships and projects focused on wardrobe styling and costume design so needless to say I was in seventh heaven chatting with all the guests as I sketched.

In addition to live sketching the soirée, the week leading up to the event I also illustrated some of the Pandora's newest jewelry pieces which were then blown up into large prints and displayed throughout the party space. Shown here are two of the necklaces, my personal favorite is the pave feather necklace (attached to the header of this post) and the charms shown "hanging" from the photo above.

For more information about my live-sketching or rates to sketch your corporate event or private party, you can email me at FabulousDoodles@gmail.com.

(Photos and Illustrations: ©BrookeHagel)

You're Invited: Live Sketching for Vogue & Lucky Brand

I'm excited to share that I will be live-sketching party guests again for Vogue Magazine and you're invited! Fabulous Doodles readers are invited to join me this wednesday as Lucky Brand celebrates their new made-in-America capsule collection for an American-themed night, with a live DJ, sketches by yours truly, and a look at Lucky Brand's new journal, Clover. I sketched this fun denim clad all-American-girl fashion illustration especially for the invite with their new capsule collection in mind.

Where: Lucky Brand, Time Warner Center

10 Columbus Circle, 2nd Floor

New York City

When: August 7th 2013, 6:00-8:00PM

RSVP: rsvp@vogue.com

Hope to see you there!

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

(Illustration: ©BrookeHagel) 

Beauty Illustrations {Vogue & Bobbi Brown}

The lovelies at Vogue Magazine reached out to me again about two weeks ago to create beauty fashion illustrations featuring Bobbi Brown Cosmetics new summer collection for a makeup event at Saks Fifth Avenue. They were open to creative input so I suggested something different, using tan craft paper as the background of the illustrations, putting the focus on the makeup and its bronzy colors. I sent this recent doodle I instagramed and this post as examples of what the artwork for this project could look like and they were on board and let me run with it.

I illustrated three different looks, the first and my personal favorite is "Beach Bronze Night" shown above. This look is all about a golden bronze eye and peachy pout. Since it's the evening look I gave her a sparkling drop earring and dark silky hair for dramatic contrast.

"Summer Bright" is next. This look called for a bold and bright passion fruit glossy lip, coral shimmer blush and sharp black ink eyeliner. As the bright day look I gave her a casual and fun side braid with a lavender hair tie and huge pout for that bold lip color.

The third look, "Beach Bronze Day" is the most natural of the group. It consists of a nude cheek tint, bronzed pink lip tint, and sandy gold eye shadows. I complimented this look with a white striped headscarf and bright green eyes. I tried to give each girl her own style and personality since Bobbi Brown is all about celebrating individuality. 

(Top: Brooke Hagel, Saks 5th Avenue. Bottom: Bobbi Brown makeup artists with Vogue's Cara Crowley, Bobbi Brown display in Saks) 

Walking into the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store and seeing my sketches on display for Bobbi Brown and Vogue was quite the pinch-me moment. My illustrations were incorporated on displays in multiple areas of the first floor beauty department and seemed to be a huge hit both with the Bobbi Brown makeup artists, Vogue staffers, and event guests, who repeatedly posed for pictures with and alongside the illustration displays.    

(Top: Beach Bronze Night Illustration by Brooke Hagel on display in Saks, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Bottom: Cara Crowley Instagram, Brooke and Cara.) 

I'm so happy with how these illustrations came out and that Vogue and Bobbi Brown took a bit of chance and let me use the tan craft paper instead of standard white. This was a wonderful project to work on and certainly a proud moment having my illustrations on display in such an iconic institution as Saks Fifth Avenue.

Fabulous Doodles' 4th Blogiversary

This past weekend marked four years of my little fashion illustration blog Fabulous Doodles! It's been a great year with many exciting new clients and experiences so what better time than now to look back and spotlight some of the years highlights (alongside a few Instagram memories.)

The biggest change of this year which brought about incredible opportunities was deciding to live-sketch at parties and events. After trying it out just once, and featuring the sketches here on Fabulous Doodles, I was approached by Director of Events for Vogue Magazine, Anne Vincent! As a life-long fashion nerd, walking into the Vogue offices, portfolio in hand that first time was a surreal experience.  Even though I was a nervous reck our meeting went great, my portfolio and resume were a hit, and I booked my first Vogue job for two weeks later. I live-sketched for Vogue at the opening party of the very first Piperlime store.

Since that first illustrating job with Vogue, over the past 8 months I've been rehired to illustrate at a handful of Vogue events, sketch for their partners, attend parties, make custom stationary for Vogue staffers and had countless introductions to editors, designers, and stylists. It's been incredible working with the team from Vogue this year and knowing that I have the support and encouragement of such an iconic and influential fashion powerhouse has been extraordinary.

The next highlight of this year is one actually not featured on Fabulous Doodles but instead one that it led to. Months ago after learning of everything I was working on via Fabulous Doodles an old FIT professor and friend recommended me for a highly coveted illustration position. I was called in for an interview to be in-house illustrator for Ralph Lauren Collection! Not for Polo, not Chaps, not Rugby, not Lauren, but the creme de la creme, Ralph Lauren Collection! This meeting unfortunately didn't go as well since I didn't get the job but it was such an honor to even be considered and meet with the head designers. I now truly get it when actors say "it's an honor just to be nominated," because thats exactly how I felt simply being considered and called into the Ralph Lauren Collection offices.

Working on Sociologie Wines featuring a different stylized sketch of mine on each wine bottle has been so gratifying and I'm thrilled with the final product. The feedback from friends, family and Fabulous Doodles readers both in person and on my social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) was overwhelming, and its something I'm really looking forward to working on more as the line expands.

Next up is my collaboration with the fashion director of Quest Magazine, which resulted in a whopping 6 page spread of my fashion illustrations. I've had editorial features before but nothing that even compared to the 6 full pages in Quest's 2013 Spring Style issue.

The next one is another biggie, something to actually cross off my childhood "bucket list." I've illustrated not one but two books this year! I worked with Capstone Publishing illustrating two fashion illustration tutorial books for the tween market: Fun Fashions You Can Sketch, Girly Girl Style and Harajuku Style. It was a long process and very challenging at times but I can now say my name appears in the Library of Congress! I've also just polished off the illustrations on a third book, which hopefully will be released later this year.

For years I've followed the work of sweets stylist Amy Atlas. After meeting at a cocktail party, Amy reached out commissioning me to illustrate some dessert bar concepts for her segments on the Today Show and Access Hollywood. I've also assisted from time to time, co-crafting, setting up and styling alongside Amy and her partner in sweets Lisa. Styling is something I used to do a great deal of in my previous position before taking on illustrating full-time and its so great to be able to go back to it from time to time, especially with such a talented duo.

Last but certainly not least of the highlights of this year is illustrating for InStyle and Gap. I've been a Gap girl for as long as I can remember and InStyle was my go to magazine for years so this was another dream job/pinch-me moment and something I was thrilled to add to my portfolio.

It has been a monumental year for my illustration career and I can hardly believe starting this fashion illustration blog four years ago has led me to such wonderful opportunities. Heres hoping year five of Fabulous Doodles will be continued success, recognition, and more pinch-me moments.

(Photos and sketches: Brooke Hagel @Brooklit)

Party Guest Fashion Illustrations (Vogue Magazine & Nexxus)

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of working with Vogue Magazine again live sketching party guests for a three days at a pop-up shop event they hosted introducing the newest Nexxus haircare collection, Nexxus Youth Renewal.

Guests were treated to blowouts and hairstyling, then once they were beautified sat down to model for a custom fashion illustration. Throughout the three days I shared via Twitter and Instagram a bunch of the sketches and photos of guests showing off their illustrations fresh from my sketchpad, but since it was such a long event and I had so many I'm spotlighting more of my favorites here on Fabulous Doodles. The spot I was stationed to draw at was a little dark at times so the photo's didn't all turn out so well, but I've lightened them up in photoshop and hopefully you can get the gist.

This event attracted a wide array of chic party guests including Vogue staffers, fashion designers (remember the Monika Chiang post,) fashion bloggers, models, and stylists including Phillip Bloch, (shown below) with his custom fashion illustration. This was such a fun event to be a part of, and for a truly fantastic line that I've actually been using on my hair ever since.

Later in the week I'll share more sketches and photos from the event since there were too many to condense into this one post. For now though I have to pack up all my supplies and prep because tonight I'm working with the amazing team from Vogue again! This time I'll be live-sketching at a much smaller cocktail party for their Vogue Blogger Network. Since you can always count of fashion bloggers to be sketchably chic I'm sure this event will result in many Fabulous Doodles worthy new illustrations as well, so stay tuned!

For rates to have me sketch at your event you can email me at FabulousDoodles@gmail.com.
(All images and illustrations: Brooke Hagel)

Custom Illustration, Monika Chiang

A few weeks ago I stopped by Conde Nast to catch up with some of my favorite Vogue girls and chat about a couple of future projects. Needless to say sitting in the Vogue lobby always provides for amazing fashion and people watching but on this day I couldn't help but be a little star struck by the gorgeous designer Monika Chiang who was there presenting pieces from her latest collection to some of the Vogue editors.

After a few minutes I went inside and left the lobby but Monika's look was etched in my head. When I got home later that night I had to test out my markers on Vogue embossed paper to possibly use it for a future live sketching event and I decided who better to draw on my little "test sheet" then the chic Monika Chiang. Well, I whipped up a quickie sketch of Monika, sent a photo (shown above) off to Vogue, and they in turn forwarded it along to Monika's team!

Then last week I live-sketched at a 3 day event for Vogue and Nexxus (more about that next week) and Monika came to the opening night party where I surprised her with the original sketch! She was so sweet, and seemed to really love her custom fashion illustration. Monika's so sketchably chic, this may just be the first of many!

Hilarity for Charity {Fashion Package}

Seth Rogen's second annual Hilarity for Charity party benefiting the Alzheimer's Association, raising money and awareness among a younger generation is tomorrow night in Los Angeles and one of my custom illustrations is up for grabs! Not only will this star studded event be filled with funny people like Seth and his hilarious friends, and the musical stylings of the Backstreet Boys, guests will also have the opportunity to bid on a fabulous fashion pack including a custom fashion illustration or custom bridal illustration from moi, a day of personal styling by the Rachel Zoe, leather bags by Jodi Been and Rebecca Minkoff, jewelry by Alexis Bittar and much more, with all proceeds benefiting this great cause thats so near and dear to our families hearts. Even if you can't go to the show, you can still check out the Hilarity for Charity site and make a donation.

Live-Sketching in Beverly Hills for Vogue Eyewear

Live fashion sketching for events and private parties is always a fun day of work, but flying out to LA to sketch in a Beverly Hills mansion with Eva Mendes hosting a sunset soiree, beyond. Last week I posted the sketches I drew of Eva before the Luxottica Vogue Eyewear party that were used throughout the event space. Today I wanted to share some of the live sketches I did of party guests during the event. The first sketch of which is my fabulous cousin, the talented actress and writer Lauren Miller (shown above).

This event was a little different from my previous party drawings. Guests here were invited to pick their favorite style of Vogue Eyewear to try on, model for me, and get sketched. Everyone was so excited about their sketches, and their glasses, it really was such a lovely crowd. Included in which was my very first maternity fashion illustration (above)! She was such a doll and so excited to be the subject of my very first preggers sketch.

The biggest personal highlight for me was that my California friends and family came, none of which had been to an event I've live-sketched at since until now have all been on the east coast. It was so nice of Luxottica to give me some invites and amazing to see so many familiar faces at one of my live illustrating events. Thank you Mom for flying down from San Fran and Lauren, Kim, Jodi and Scott for coming and supporting me! The whole trip was fantastic and hopefully it's the first of many more to come. (Because even thought it's such a un-New Yorker thing to say, I love LA!)

For questions about my live-sketching or if you're interested in rates for a corporate events or private parties you can email me at FabulousDoodles@gmail.com.

Eva Mendes Sketches for Vogue Eyewear Party

A little over a week ago I flew to LA to live sketch at Vogue Eyewear's party celebrating Eva Mendes as the new face of their campaign. Before heading out west I sketched a bunch of fashion illustrations of Eva in various frames based off campaign shots that the lovely group at Luxottica, Vogue Eyewear's parent company, had sent me. I drew Eva in about six different eyewear looks, scanned the art and emailed them off to Luxottica in Milan and their PR company in New York. Then I crossed my fingers that all parties involved would like them.

Well, like them they did, because when I arrived at the event in Beverly Hills the space was filled with large framed prints of my illustrations. I even overheard some of the Luxottica ladies talking about shipping them back to Milan for their offices! Since Eva was hosting the soiree I decided to bring signed mini prints of the sketches for her, and was told she loved them too.

I'm still editing photo's of the event which I'll share later in the week, including some live-sketches I drew of the party guests and photo's of the sexy venue but in the mean time I wanted to post a few of my favorites of the beautiful Eva Mendes.

Designer Inauguration Gown Sketches {Michelle Obama}

Women's Wear Daily asked top fashion designers to share sketches of designs they submitted to the East Wing for First Lady Michelle Obama to wear at Monday night's inaugural balls. Since I love peeks at designer sketches I wanted to share and discuss a few. First up is Nicole Miller, with this red pleated strapless gown with a double wrapped gold belt that adds a little modern twist. Whats interesting about this sketch is the illustrator chose to leave the guide lines at the shoulders, waist and hips. These lines are often the base of a fashion illustration to guide the illustrator in creating the correct body angles and movement. (Here's an old post about base sketches and illustration poses.) Normally they're erased and just act as a base to work off, but here they were decidedly left in.

The next First Lady fashion illustration is this lovely white lace gown by Vera Wang. I love the simple contour lines of this illustration. It's also a great example of how simply you could render lace without over illustrating or spending hours drawing tiny floral detailing. Its a minimal sketch yet completely readable, clearly conveying the gown's design.

Next is a sexy pale blue Monique Lhuillier gown. Here you see another example of beautifully rendered lace paired with intricate draping across the bodice. Another illustration element of interest is not one of the illustrations featured here include any facial features. Faces can be tough and I know its something many of my readers stuggle with, so take note of what these designers have done and realize that you do not need to render facial features to have a complete and polished fashion illustration.

To check out more designer illustrations for the First Lady's inauguration gown, and even a few for first daughter's Sasha and Malia, click over to WWD and tune in monday to see who Mrs. Obama chooses to don, my money's on Naeem Kahn or Prabal Gurung.

P.S. Happy Birthday Mrs. Obama!

(Sketches: Women's Wear Daily)

Live Fashion Illustrations for Vogue & Joie

Last week I live illustrated at another fabulous Vogue magazine soiree, this time a holiday fete with Joie at their gorgeous new shop downtown in Soho. (Coincidently its directly across the street from Piperlime, the spot of the last Vogue party I live illustrated at!) This was a much smaller more intimate party and I actually got to sketch some dashing men this time, as you can see in the photos above.

It was really a fun little holiday party. Live fashion illustrating can be a little nerve wracking but with chic party guests like these to sketch and lovely people to work with like the team from Vogue, its an honor and a pleasure and all trepidation fades fast. 

(Photos and fashion illustrations by Brooke Hagel)

Gap Fashion Illustrations for InStyle Party

Two weeks ago I was hired to create some fashion illustrations for an event with Gap and InStyle magazine! Being a huge fan of both powerhouse brands I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to sketch for them. 

The project involved two parts, first I had to create sketches in advance of the party that would be scaled up and printed out as posters to adorn the interactive art wall/step and repeat that guests would see when they arrived at the NYC flagship store event. The second part was, while everyone was mingling, I live sketched the event hosts; Kimberly Pesch of Eat.Sleep.Wear (shown with her sketch below), Christine Cameron of My Style Pill and DJ Harley Viera Newton. 

All the Gap fashion illustrations shown throughout this post were inspired by the "Outfit's We Love" spotlighted on Gap.com. They're a bright mix of cozy and luxe layers styled with plaids, stripes and colorful basics. Throughout the event I live sketched the three hosts who were decked out in head to toe Gap looks as well. As each sketch was completed it was added to the art wall so guests could take a look and snap some pics. 

This was such a great evening with such positive feedback from all the guests including my [possibly bias] little brother and 90 year old grandma, the fabulous hosts as well as the teams from InStyle and Gap! It really was such a fun event to be a part of and I'm excited to share the sketches and photos. 

(Photo's by Gap and InStyle, Illustrations by Brooke Hagel) 

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! 

Halloween Dessert Table Sketch

Its quite an odd Halloween having just had one of the largest storms ever on record rip through the east coast wreaking such havoc on the city, but I'm pleased to report I'm safe and sound and live in a part of Manhattan that wasn't hit so badly by Hurricane Sandy. Unlike many of my friends and family I was lucky enough not to loose power an have been able to stay home. Thank you to all who reached out with concerning calls, emails, facebook messages and tweets!

A few weeks ago I was commissioned by Amy Atlas to sketch another of her exquisite dessert tables for Halloween (last one was for July 4th.) This design was to be used for a segment Amy was planning for a national television segment. Unfortunately the segment was cut due to the hurricane but Amy posted the illustration and all the elements that her and her talented team concocted for it. They even posted templates you can download and recipes (like Bewitching Bark) to make some of the elements yourself.

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween and maybe this dessert table illustration will inspire my displaced neighbors, friends and family to enjoy a treat during this trying time.

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.

Vintage Vogue Fashion Illustration Covers

(June 1935 by Jean Pages, Dec. 1945 by Carl "Eric" Erickson) 

Today I'm spotlighting some of my favorite vintage Vogue covers featuring fashion illustrations in anticipation of a party I'll be live-illustrating at tonight hosted by Vogue Magazine! I'm so thrilled to be working with Vogue, a magazine with such a long history of supporting fashion illustration.

(Clockwise from top left: Feb. 1935 by Eric, Nov. 1939 by Eric, June 1931 by artist unknown, and Oct. 1948 by Eric) 

The majority of the covers shown here are by fashion illustrator Carl Erickson, who was known as and signed his drawings and paintings as Eric. Other notable fashion illustrators who were commissioned by Vogue include Rene Bouche, Cecil Beaton, Andy Warhol (whom I featured here before with his work for Harpers Bazaar), Jean Pages, Erte and Antonio Lopez.

(Clockwise from top left: Sept. 1953 by Rene Bouche, July 1935 by Cecil Beaton, and Aug. 1912 artist unknown) 

I know models and in more recent years celebrities have become the norm to adorn the covers of Vogue but I have to say that although I may a little bias, I absolutely adore these vintage fashion illustration covers and wish they'd make a comeback.

Wish me luck and stay tuned for my sketches from tonight's Vogue event!