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)

Quest Magazine Fashion Illustration Editorial

I'm so excited to share this six page fashion illustration editorial spread from Quest, New York's society magazine, Spring Style Issue. I met Quest's fabulous Fashion Director Daniel Cappello a few months ago at a Vogue cocktail party and was thrilled weeks later when he reached out asking if I'd be interested in contributing custom sketches for the style issue.

Daniel came up with the idea of featuring a handful of New York's leading ladies in stand out designer looks from the spring 2013 collections that would suit each of them and their style. Daniel picked a few options for each and I chose from the bunch which designs were most "sketch worthy." First (shown above) is Hilary Geary Ross in a lavish Oscar de la Renta ensemble beside Lauren Bush Lauren in a stunning red georgette evening gown of cascading ruffles by Ralph Lauren Collection. I have to admit, I am not a red fan normally but this was the most enjoyable look to illustrate and I'm really thrilled with the outcome.

The next grouping of illustrations starts with Carolina Herrera in Carolina Herrera of course. This gold and ivory baroque-lame gown was another favorite to illustrate with her signature up-do and elegant gown detailing. (I actually had the pleasure of meeting Carolina years ago at a party and she was incredibly graceful and striking in person.) Next, icon Lee Radziwell in a modern white Calvin Klein Collection suit. Then the lovely Aerin Lauder in a leather Fendi color blocked top and skirt with Hermes heels, and Amanda Burden in chic monochromatic Tom Ford.

The last two, a somewhat unique pairing, starts with the statuesque Julia Koch whom I've also seen before in person, at opening night of the ballet. For Julia we chose this gorgeous green silk Gucci gown, with a high neckline and billowing flounce alongside the legendary Iris Apfel in her trademark oversized glasses wearing a graphic flower printed Prada fur. I was a little nervous to tackle Iris' sketch, as its challenging to draw mature women, plus I'm such a fan of hers I didn't want to disappoint! But I think they both came out well and I love the pairing of the two beside one another.

Here are some preliminary pencil sketches, or "base sketches," so you can see the progression of how I start out sketching compared to the finished colored rendering. I apologize they're a little light, its hard to pick up on faint pencil lines with scanners and cameras but its always nice to compare a before and after. You can also check out some photos of the women and the collections as seen on the runway on my "Project Q" Pinterest board.

It is such an honor to be included in Quest's spring style issue and to have six full pages of my sketches of these strong women is something I'm truly proud of. You can take a closer look at the spread in Quests digital issue here (on pages 106-111 of the March issue) as unfortunately it's not on newsstands anymore since I'm a little tardy with this post! I was traveling when the issue came out and although I tweeted, facebooked and instagramed about it, the Fabulous Doodles post got put on the back burner.

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!

Amy Atlas Dessert Table {July 4th}

Just in time for 4th of July festivities I'd like to share a dessert tablescape I sketched for sweets stylist Amy Atlas' Access Hollywood segment last week. Although I'm a fashion illustrator at heart, its always fun to take on other illustration projects, like this perfect Independence Day dessert table complete with red, white and blue "snowcone" cupcakes, mini pies, sparkers, and a patriotic trifle (<-personally my favorite element of the table!)

I met the lovely Amy Atlas a few months ago while out with a mutual friend. Amy and I hit it off right away and have since worked together a handful of little projects. You can pick up Amy's book Sweet Designs for more of her impressive confectionary creations and check out her blog for a closer look at elements of this table and other creative dessert table designs.

Rue Magazine Blogger Side-by-Side

About a year ago I was thrilled to be contacted by the Rue crew to sketch fashion illustrations for the Rue Magazine blogger side-by-side column. I was sent a bunch of photo's of the two lovely bloggers they were featuring that month and I created these fashion illustrations, reflecting them and their style. Sarah Klassen of Haute Design (shown above) was a fun one with her bright red hair and chic accessorie styling (don't you love those shoes!) and blogger Daniella Marie (shown below) of Dress Design Decor and Daniella Marie Blog was a lovely and more girl-next-door look.

Unfortunately the sketches were pulled at the very last minute and never ran in Rue, but in going through some old project files I found them and thought would share.

(Illustrations by Brooke Hagel)

Copic Marker Guest & New Print

As you probably know from reading Fabulous Doodles I love my Copic Markers, so needless to say I was thrilled when they contacted me and asked me to write a guest post of a bridal illustration tutorial for their blog. Instead of featuring one of my custom bridal illustration client projects I decided to create a new, and more stylized, bridal print. If you'd like to read about my process from start to finish you can check out the guest post I wrote on the Copic Marker site.

I like this new sketch so much that I decided to add her to Brooklit Bride, my Etsy bride shop. I rarely alter my sketches once they're completed but I did tweak this print in photoshop so its slightly different than the one Copic featured. I elongating the black sash to just beyond the gown's train. Proportionally it just seems to work better. Hope you like the newest Brooklit Bride print, sultry, sophisticated and sexy Victoria.

Brooke Hagel Illustrations on VH1's House of Consignment

If you've caught VH1's new show, House of Consignment, you may have spotted my sketches blown up as giant wall decals all around the offices of E-Drop Off, the home of the new fashion focused reality show. I was commissioned by Corri McFadden and her right hand woman Nicole Guarascio about 2 years ago to come up with a bunch of custom illustrations for their website relaunch. To my pleasant surprise since they purchased the full usage rights to the custom sketches, they've used them not only on their website, but as large wall decals to adorn their office walls, which is now the "set" of their VH1 show. (For a closer look check out the post I wrote at that time here.)

The E-Drop Off girls reached out to me again to create some sketches for the holidays and their holiday party, which I believe was actually the party show in episode 2 of House of Consignment. For the holiday project I drew a bunch of new girls for their windows, holiday garlands with designer ornaments, logo snowflakes and even sketched jewelry that was made into temporary tattoos for party guests, which they briefly showed on the show! (My previous post on the holiday project is here.)

VH1's House of Consignment has 7 episodes left to their season so you have a few more weeks to tune in. Not all the sketches shown throughout the show are mine, but see if you can spot my work. My first TV moment was The Nate Berkus Show on NBC, now VH1, I wonder who will be next!?!

Spotted: VIP Brooklit Fans

Being out and about in the city and at different events I often encounter some pretty notable people whom I like to chat it up with such as Bobbi Thomas and Louise Roe (shown below.) Since I'm a artist, I feel that there's no better way to network then by sharing a visual reference of what it is I do. My business cards, printed by Moo, feature different illustrations from my portfolio, so its as though I have a mini portfolio on me at all times. After showing all my cards, I then let people pick their favorite.

Pictured here are some of the aforementioned VIPs: Today Show's style editor Bobbi Thomas, whom I met at Lincoln Center for NY Fashion Week. Bobbi chose my Vogue illustration card and fashion journalist and tv host Louise Roe, whom I had the pleasure of meeting with at the Empire, opted for both Vogue and Mystie.

The Style Network's Jeannie Mai chose to take a bite out of my Vogue illustration at a Style breakfast! And Paper Magazine's fabulous Editorial Director, Mickey Boardman whom I also met at NY Fashion Week went with the bold Billowing Bride.

Jaslene Gonzales, America's Next Top Model winner whom I met at the 50/50 movie premiere after party chose Eva because she loved the dramatic lace sleeves. And last but certainly not least is Design Sponge author Grace Bonney who also favored the Billowing Bride.

For you non-facebookers I'm sharing these photo's here on Fabulous Doodles, but if you'd like to check out some more of them, I recently created a album on my Facebook fan page that I plan to continually add to.

Television Debut

Last week, just two days before the royal wedding and the unveiling of "the dress" my illustrations made their television debut on the Nate Berkus Show. I was asked by Nate's producers to collaborate with fashion journalist Louise Roe to illustrate our prediction for Kate Middleton's wedding gown. (My goodness were we close! I couldn't believe it when I saw Kate step out of the car.)

A little insider info here, things in tv-land move very quickly. It all happened one afternoon about a month ago when Nate's producers called me about the "Royal Wedding" episode they were working on and said they'd love include me in the dress segment of the show with Louise. Needless to say I was thrilled and instantly signed on. A few hours later Louise called me to chat about ideas for the sketches. I then had only till morning to draw my heart out and send the illustrations on over to the show. Although the episode was not scheduled to tape until the following week, the producers needed my sketches well in advance so that the computer techs could work their magic and transform my illustrations into a animated 3-d composite.

From the moment Louise and I first spoke we were on the same page about what we speculated for Kate's wedding gown. We reviewed designs I previously featured here, talked about our visions and I even texted her a picture of some rough sketches in the middle of the night, just so she could see how it was coming along since there was certainly not much time for changes.

Kate has a clear style of classic-traditional. Louise and I agreed that the overall silhouette of her gown would be a simple A-line but large enough to not get swallowed by the cathedral setting. She'd have long lace sleeves and her shoulders and chest would be covered as well. The design would be "modest," and not revealing or inappropriate. It would include couture detailing such as a perfectly contoured and fitted bodice with hand embroidery and/or lace appliqué along the bottom of the skirt and along the train. We also included a delicate and simple tiara, beaded waistband, and a polished and modern bouquet of white flowers and greenery. We knew her dress, train and veil would be beautiful, but certainly nowhere near as opulent as Diana’s.

It was such a thrill to collaborate with Louise, I've been such a admirer of hers and have actually turned many of my "fashion friends"on to her by sending her vogue.com video and her website. I have also been a avid Nate follower ever since he first stepped onto Oprah’s stage 9 years ago. (A little while back I gushed about him here.)

I know I'll never forget the feeling I had sitting in the audience beside my friend Renaldo and my mom (who actually happened to be visiting from California that same week,) and at the risk of sounding cheesy, it really was a "Secret" moment. I honestly feel like I put it out there, and look what happened. Seeing my fashion illustrations on television was incredible and I just know its the first of many. (But how lucky am I that Nate was my first. ;) When the show aired last week my mom sent me a text saying she was crying with pride. I picked up the phone and called her, but she promptly hung up on me because "the show was on!"

For a closer look at all the sketches you can click on over to the Nate Berkus Show website. I'm working on a new illustration based off Kate's real look from the wedding, which I'll share and add to my etsy shop soon. (Sorry if I rambled on, I normally try to keep posts short!)

Nate n' Kate

I'm so excited to share with you that Brooke Hagel Illustrations will be discussed on national television on the Nate Berkus Show's "Live Like Royalty" episode!

I was asked by the lovely producers to collaborate with uber-fabulous fashion journalist and stylist extraordinaire Louise Roe to illustrate her predictions for Kate Middleton's wedding gown. I was thrilled to be asked to work on a segment for Nate to begin with, but when I found out all the details and that I'd be working with Louise, and on a bridal illustration of the soon-to-be princess, it was just to good to be true.

("Crowns & Coronets" wallpaper by Graham & Brown, designed in honor of Kate and William's upcoming nuptials.)

So set those dvr's, tune in to the Nate Berkus show, and let me know what you think of my sketches! The show airs wednesday, April 27th on NBC. (Party planner to the stars Colin Cowie will be on as well! I'm also hiding in the audience with my mom, who happened to be in town the week the show taped, and my friend Renaldo.)

Harper's Bazaar Love

Exciting surprises this week, the biggest one being this bridal illustration feature by my very favorite fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar! They asked me to send over a sampling of illustrations and the very next day this bride was included in the "Bazaar Report" on HarpersBazaar.com. It was the only bride in the mix so it surprised me they used it and focused only on my bridal shop, but its a fabulous surprise none the less. Fingers crossed its the first of many, because it would be a dream come true to see my illustrations in the magazine! (I'm just putting it out there.) Thank you Harper's Bazaar staffers!

Oscar’s Gifting Suite

This week I had the opportunity to participate in an Oscar’s Gifting Suite! Within just a few days I made 100+ samples to “gift”, hopped a flight from NY to LA, and shared my work at a Beverly Hill’s invite only pre-Oscar’s Gifting Suite.

There was a lot of last minute prep involved, since I was notified about this event pretty late in the game. But being that I’m no stranger to all-nighters or some hard work, and had help from good friends, everything came together without a hitch.

I met some fantastic people, including representatives from the other 15 companies participating, Oscar nominees, television and film stars, musicians, and pro athletes. Everyone seemed to really love my work. I got fantastic feedback from the guests as well as gave three filmed interviews! (I’ll see if I can find them online and share them with you here soon.)

In addition to gifting prints, posters, and bookmarks, I also gave some gift certificates for a custom illustrations which can be used towards a custom bridal illustration or to capture their favorite red carpet look.

The gift certificates are also being included in gift bags being sent to the ladies of One Tree Hill; Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Galeotti, Jana Kramer, Lisa Goldstein, and Shantel Van Senten. As well as Maria Shriver, and Jamie Lynn Sigler. It was a great event and what is hopefully the first of many.

(If you want to see all the photo's I'm going to post them all in album on my facebook fan page, so if your not a fan already there's no time like the present!)

Spotted: Rebecca

While thumbing through bridal magazines I spotted my Rebecca illustration! She was hiding inside Brides New York, the Fall/Winter issue, on the "Style Review" page. The editorial isn't about me, or the sketch, but its exciting none the less, so I thought I'd share it with you. (I previously blogged about iBridalGown here.)

I'm an Etsy Guest Blogger!

I've been so excited about this day, and it's finally here! About a month ago the lovely Etsy staffers offered me the opportunity to write a guest blog post. I was trilled to be asked while completely terrified about what to write about and if it would be what they had in mind. It was suggested I write about my custom bridal illustration process, but I had just blogged about that here in a 3 part series. And if I was writing all about my illustration process then how would I feature other Etsy sellers, which is one of the goals of the Storque (Etsy's Handmade Blog).

Since the majority of my custom work is for weddings, and purchased as wedding and anniversary gifts, I decided to blog about other unique wedding gifts. I named my post "The Wow Wedding Gift" and featured other unique Etsy handmade wedding related items from engagement gifts, bridal shower gifts, and bachelorette accessories, to wedding gifts and fun guest favors, like the custom fortune teller shown below.

Pulling together this post was a fantastic experience and I enjoyed working on every element that went into it. Browsing through my favorite sellers, designing the header image, and writing the actual post while thinking about all the wedding's I've been to and gift's I've given over the years, I loved it all. So now that my guest blog post is now up and live on the Etsy Storque (Wouldn't you know it my computer went and died the very same day my guest blog went up, so that's why I'm just now blogging about it!) I hope you check it out and enjoy it! I certainly enjoyed writing it and searching for the perfect "wow" worthy items that I'd love to give.

Sellers displayed in this post: Brooklit, Stepanka, Rainsend, LuckyMeBeads, LittleRetreats, MichaelAngela, PalomasNest, KatsKrafts, DesignsByMama, FernAnimal

Press!

Ever since I started my illustration business I've gotten some fantastic press. I thought it was time to put it together and post them together in one spot. I've created a facebook photo album here on my facebook fan page with some of my favorite features from magazines and blogs.

New Jersey Bride was the first magazine to feature me and one of my illustrations. It was such a trill to see my name in print next to my work! I had had illustrations printed before but it was always illustrations done for clients or my former company and I would never actually receive any credit. I think I actually gasped while I stood in line in a Barnes & Noble in Jersey and first saw this page with my feature.

The next time I felt this trill was with this feature in New Jersey Life Weddings. (I'm a born a raised New Yorker but New Jersey's really shown me some love huh!) The way that this feature came about was through a previous job. I was assigned to style a 2 day photoshoot in Pennsylvania for Country Living and I worked very closely with one of their senior editors, Jennifer Vreeland McDermott. On the long car ride back to NYC we talked about our interests and hobbies and I mentioned my budding bridal illustration business. About a month or two later I learned Jennifer was moving on from Country Living to become the new Editor in Chief of New Jersey Life! I sent her a congratulatory note and told her if she ever needed any sketches done that I would love to work with her again and share my portfolio. Soon after I received an email asking me to send some examples over. The rest is history, here is the tear from their premiere wedding issue.

This last image is from Design This Design That, a online art magazine. It was my first time being interviewed about my work and my process. I really love the look of the spread with my shop name over my Lily print and the text of the article overlapping one of my brides. You can read the interview by clicking here, and "turning" to page 107.