Fashion Illustrations

After the invention of photography, the art of fashion illustrating began to become a less crucial tool for fashion magazines to communicate the latest collections and trends to their readers. However, there are still a number of prominent fashion illustrators, many who were featured in the Design Museum's latest exhibit. Check out these lovely images!

Mats Gustafsson

Alexander McQueen, China 2010

Antonio Lopez

Karl Lagerfeld 1972

Rene Gruau

Paquin 1948 evening dress

Study for a Dior advertisement

1955

Dior, 1948

Andre Eduardo Marty

USA Feb 1929 Vogue

La Fromagerie

exterior of the shop and the cheese room

With two locations in London on Marylebone and Highbury street, La Fromagerie is a staple of the London restaurant scene. The cheese shop supplies imported cheese to restaurants and individual customers. These can be found in the refrigerated cheese room in the front of the store which is stocked with cheeses from numerous countries and a range of types and tastes that satisfy a variety of palettes.

The aftermath of a cheese tasting

But customers can also stop in and sit down for a bite to eat. The tasting cafe offers a great opportunity to try a variety of cheeses selected by the shop's experts. When any of these dairy delights are paired with the fresh bread and a slice of prosciutto or salami, you get a mouth watering combination.

A selection of the breads and dried meats

But while cheese may be the name of the game, do not pass on the other gourmet items, especially the desserts. My friend tried and deeply recommends a thick slice of banana cake topped with luscious vanilla butter cream icing.

I will definitely be heading back before I leave to try this Hazelnut Meringue cake.

Princesses of Kensington Palace

"The Enchanted Palace" exhibit at Kensington palace brings the seven of the princesses who inhabited the palace to life. This was done was by asking a number of notable British designers to contribute dresses fit for a princess.

Dame Vivienne Westwood

The "Dancing Princess" gown features three quarter length sleeves and a fairly full skirt evoking a classic hourglass shape. Made entirely of lace, the dress is even more glamorous when paired with red ballet slippers and the authentic tiara of Princess Margret.

The second dress is featured in the Great Hall which was painted by William Kent in 1727. This gown, also by Westwood, is called "A Dress for flying into the arms of Love and Death". Confectioners sugar layers of fabric contribute to the idea of motion.

Bruce Oldfield



"The Dress of Reflection" is in the Room of Sorrows. It is a fashion interpretation of the depression princesses felt when they had to act according to their duty rather than their heart. The sweetheart neckline and half off the shoulders provides a romantic wedding dress aesthetic which is emphasized by the sweeping train.

Fashion on the streets of Oxford Circus

While hanging out in front of the Oxford Circus tube stop, I spotted these two modernly dressed Brits. Cheers!


The white circle scarf, mary jane shoes and saddle bag are a perfect combination of trendy, feminine and structure, respectively. The super short mini skirt allows minimum distance between the white scarf and white tights thereby creating a streamline look.


This is a charming clash of tough and girly. The baggy cargos, loose sweater, flannel and backwards hat push the tomboy look to the limit. The ensemble is saved by her hot pink lipstick and flowing red hair.

A thread of fashion history at the Museum of London

Late 1700s
This Court gown from the 18th century is said to have been worn byAnn Fanshawe whose father was the Lord Mayor of London in 1752-53. The pattern of barley and hops represents her fathers profession as a merchant and Master of the Brewers' Company.
The skirts shape can be attributed to panniers which were constructed from bone. The low neck and elbow-length sleeves with engageants (ruffles on the sleeve) were both typical of court dressing for the time.


World War II
The image on the left is a bus conductress' uniform and reflects the role of women in the work place during World War II. The image on the right is from the same time period but worn by women during day time outings. This particular one was worn to a parade celebrating the end of WW II. While their purposes may have been different, both outfits represent trends of the time such as the emphasized waist, rounded shoulders and raised hemline.



Early 1960s
The magenta dress on the right is by Sam Sherman's label Dollyrockers which was sold at the major boutiques of the decade such as Bus Stop and Top Gear. The yellow shirt and black mini skirt ensemble toward the back of the image was a classic look for young girls in the 1960s. Hemlines were shorter than ever and reflected the belief in freedom that came to define the decade.



Late 1960s-1970s
The dress on the left was designed by the fashion group The Fool which was led by Marijke Koger in 1967. The dress on the right is by Jeff Banks who opened Clobber, an iconic boutique in Blackheath in the 1960s. The dress was worn by Jenifer Spallone in 1969.
The outrageous patterns and loose fit were typical of the time. The mannequin head on the right is wearing a turban which was seen as exotic and risque.

Tetbury Shop Windows

The boutiques in Tetbury are still decorated for the holidays. This window features tradition English tweed blazers for "shooting" (hunting in America) with a clever modern twist from ruffles and buttons. The window maintains the theme of the holiday hunt with fake pheasants at the bas of the mannequin. With outfits like these no wonder hunts are still popular!

Fast Track to Fashion

The New Years day at Cheltenham Racecourse is a parade of the many styles of British fashion. Yet the most noticeable to a foreigner such as myself were those dressed in "posh" (as my English friend Georgie says) or upscale attire for the horse race in the beautiful English countryside.

Young ladies braved the elements to dress in sophisticated mini dresses, sharp platform heels and perfectly styled hair. These polished outfits showed no concern for the lack of seating or wet weather.

But other girls channeled a more eclectic and grunge look with layers. Wool knee-highs peeking over Wellies (rain boots) was a popular combination.

Fur was included in many ensembles, more so than in American outerwear. Younger lassies chose fur accents such as fur head bands and collars while elder women gravitated towards larger pieces such as rabbit fur coats and hats.

Accompanying these finely dressed women were their men clad in traditional British hunting attire such as tweed jackets, matching rain boots (or Wellies), colorful scarves and hunting caps.

What a proper introduction to British fashion

Walk This Way...to Final exams?

Shopping for school sneakers is typically a back to school activity. However, nothing will put a pep in your steps to final exams like a new pair of Vans.

I have longed for my own pair ever since arriving at the University of Maryland last year. On my treks to class, I gaze longingly at the passing feet dreaming of my own perfect pair that would reflect my sense of style.

However, it was only until two weekends before finals when I first gazed at the Vans Herringbone Era ($52) on the company's website. I would have bought them at the store the next day but alas, they did not have my size. When I came home the following weekend to study, Surprise! They were waiting for me as a good luck present. The herringbone patter brings sophistication to the sneakers known for their casual beach aesthetic. I replaced the white shoe laces with a grey pair (about $2) for a more urban vibe.

Nature Girl

Sometimes the best beauty products are in unexpected places, like Trader Joes! The Nourish Spa Shampoo and Conditioner are by far the best hair care products I have ever used. After using it for the past two months my hair has never been healthier and what is even nicer is it's gentle enough to use every day and does not over dry hair. They are also all natural and I can pronounce every ingrediant!
Also feel obliged to inform the world of the fabulous tangerine sugar exfoliating scrub also available at Trader Joes. It smells delicious, good enough to eat, and you probably could if you really wanted to since it is made with all natural ingrediants! It makes dry skin disappear and leaves your skin softer and smoother than ever!

Today's Playlist

Songs to help get you through today and keep you motivated

I'm Ready- Jack's Mannequin
Iris- Goo Goo dolls
Scratch Your Name- Noisettes
Uh-huh - Munchausen By Proxy
Keystar - Munchausen By Proxy