This dress is on my wishlist. Fendi's Silvia Venturini, head of accessories had described a picture of a woman who inspired Lagerfeld to his fall winter collection 2011: a buttoned-up-to-the-neck art teacher who was still wild enough to wipe her paintbrushes in her hair and unleash the animal within.

I think nowadays especially women in the streets unleash their personalities more and more by wearing what they like and not by what their surrounding ask them to wear. Hooray to this women.
Thanks to shops like H&M, Zara and Topshop it is also much more affordable to look a million dollars. But let's not forget the art teachers like Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Sonia Rykiel and Consuelo Castiglioni who teach us the real thing.

My family(read: the men in my family) don't always share my passion/obsession for couture and high-fashion. But I'm so lucky they still love me inspite of my expensive hobby... wearing a Fendi dress or most likely without this gorgeous dress.

Enjoy,
Nancy

MATHILDE WILLINK VERSUS LADY GAGA

Fong Leng was the first Dutch designer that gave Dutch fashion an extravagant and glamorous international appeal in the seventies. She is an inspiration for designers like Viktor & Rolf, who dedicated one of her shows to her.

In 1971 Fong Leng opens a studio on Amsterdam. For 10 years she designs the most incredible and spectacular haute couture creations. The robes. Her theatrical coatdresses and skirts with quilted applications are named ‘Bird of Paradise’ and ‘Chinese love couple’.

Her most famous client was the eccentric Mathilde Willink, also know as ‘the Living Work of Art’. For five years Mathilde, The lady Gaga of the seventies, bought her entire wardrobe at Fong Lengs studio, the creations costing 10 – 30 thousand Dutch guilders (5 to 15 thousands euro’s) a piece. Thanks to her extravagant lifestyle her husband and magic-realist painter, Carel Willink became more famous. In 1977 Mathilde was found dead in her own bed with a gun lying next to her, a still unsolved mystery.

Mathilde versus Gaga

In 1982 Fong Leng closed her studio and starts a new career in interior architecture and art.

Enjoy,
Nancy

AMSTERDAM SUNDAY MARKET

Sundaymarket Amsterdam

alittlecowsdream.nl

carlashommage.nl

dPommerie

Restaurant Rainarai

Enjoy,
Nancy

CHALLENGE WEEK

(Monique Collignon)

TIt's been a crazy busy week. Deadlines, deadlines and then I also got a last minute request. This asked for creative thinking. The result was amazing. As soon a I get the pictures I will show them. From being courier to sitting front row at a Private Viewing (of Dutch Couture Designer Monique Collignon). I did it all this week. My workspace looks like a hurricane went trough it. Stacks of paper, paint and ink everywhere. Just when I start asking myself why I am doing this to myself, I receive an e-mail: : "We received you work, WOW!!".

I have the answer. I love fashion, I love to paint and I love to share my passion.

I love my work.

Enjoy,
Nancy

HAPPY B-DAY THEBLONDESALAD

This month Chiara Ferragni celebrates the 2nd Birthday of her blog The Blonde Salad. Enjoy, Nancy

DEAP SEA WORLD OF CHANEL

Ever since I was a child I adored the jewels of nature. I brought home souvenirs from the beaches of Jamaica, Ghana, Ibiza and Bonaire. The little treasures are all over our house. I always get so relaxed, happy and inspired by these beautiful creations of Mother Earth. An ocean of prettiness just like Chanel's Summer Collection 2012. Karl Lagerfeld gave couture-like attention to new techniques and fabric innovations to create his own wonderful world of the sea.

Enjoy,

Nancy

chanel.com

WOW FACTOR !

(juristische Bibliothek, Munchen, source: circlesandstripes)

Enjoy,

Nancy

Cosmopolitan Shopping Russia, October Issue 2011

Today a courier delivered the October Issue of Cosmopolitan Shopping Russia. How amazing to see my illustrations and name next to Danny Roberts, Laura Lain and other talented illustrators. Cosmopolitan Shopping Russia spends a 5 page article to international Fashion Illustrators.

Fashion Illustration has been around for nearly 500 years. In the 30's Vogue began to replace its illustrated covers with photographic images and illustrators got a less important role in fashion. But I'm happy to see that today fashion illustrations are earning their spot back in fashion!

Thank you Cosmopolitan Shopping Russia for shining your spotlight at the art of fashion illustration.

Enjoy,

Nancy

GOODBYE SUMMERTIME

Enjoy,
Nancy

CONGRATULATIONS MRS BUNDO MEEUS

I loved your dresses!!
Lots of love, and ...

ENJOY,

Nancy

PS MAGAZINE = PRESTAGE MAGAZINE SUMMER ISSUE

The new issue of PS Magazine has a new name.
PRESTAGE MAGAZINE. Puck Landewé and Stefanie Mensink created a platform for new and young Dutch fashion talent with this amazing magazine.

Visit Prestage Magazine and buy your copy asap in selected Dutch stores or online.

Enjoy,

Nancy

BEYONCE FOR L'OFFICIEL

The magazine celebrates both African influences in fashion and her 90th anniversary in her March issue 2011 with R&Bsinger Beyoncé.

Go to the beautiful behind-the-scenes of Beyoncé in African-inspired dresses and jewelry by Gucci, Azzedine Alaia, Fendi, Pucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Rodarte, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier and Lanvin.

Enjoy,
Nancy

MIFFY LOVES FASHION WEEK

(“By subtracting elements, more imagination will be added”, Anrealage)

While Paris has Fashion Week worldfamous Miffy has her own runwayshow.
In the year of the Rabbit little Dutch Miffy asked national and international fashion designers to create a party dress to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Dick Bruna Museum.

(Miffy's Runway)

Frontrow I enjoyed the show of designers like Anrealage (JP), Lidewij Edelkoort, Kate van Harreveld, i-did slow fashion, Claes Iversen, Edwin Oudshoorn, Minä Perhonen (JP) and Jan Taminiau. All inspired by Dick Bruna’s work in their one style.

Dick Bruna is famous for his simple and direct draughtsmanship. Young and old children (like me) worldwide love the timeless designs of Bruna. Spiritual father of design icon Miffy sketches, cuts, pastes and rearranges with simple tools until he finally achieves the right composition. The editing process manages Dick Bruna to distil his clear and powerful visual language to its essence, as simple as possible, always recognisable, leaving room for imagination. From the children’s books to his many book covers.

(Little black dress, Piet Paris)

Just like illustrator Piet Paris, 83 year old Bruna designed a new dress for Miffy on paper. Both hand-drawn. And especially for this exhibition. You can never be to young to wear fashion and never to old to be part it.

You can enjoy Miffy’s runway show at the exhibition ‘Miffy in Fashion’ .

Gorgeous Giorgio

Giorgio Armani Resort 2012
(Pictures: Style.com)

Just Enjoy!

Nancy

People of the Labyrinths

During the Arnhem Mode Biennale 2011 May 31 - July 3, The People of the Labyrinths give us a sneak preview into their home. I love this picture of their Living Room. The Dutch Label presents A concept (Pop up) Store that reflects the world of the People of the Labyrinths. Interior, perfume and vintage photography come together in one place.

Pop up 'The Livingroom'
Kerkstraat 3, 6811DL, Arnhem, The Netherlands

Enjoy,

Nancy

Pintando una Canción

This amazing video for the song “Soy Ti Aire” is still one of the most beautiful and sensuous video's I have ever seen.

Go to soytuaire labuat, move your cursor, and just ....

.... ENJOY,

Nancy

T-Glam

The Glamourai [click to enlarge illustration]

I love to visit the blog of The Glamourai.
She has an amazing style and shows great poses. I share her obsession for Fashion, Interiors and People. She shows glamour in various ways.



Brimfields Antiques Market [Pics by The Glamourai]


89-year old Style Icon Iris Apfel [pics by The Glamourai]

I enjoyed especially her posts of Brimfields Antiques Market and Manhattan Casa Apfel. Style icon Iris Apfel is also known as Rara Avis, meaning rare bird. Glamour is also about daring to be different. To combine which normally isn't merged. To bring different styles together and make it your own Glamour.

Enjoy,
Nancy

Jean Paul Gaultier for All Sizes

Enjoy,
Nancy

ODE TO PS MAGAZINE

As a starting illustrator it’s not always easy to be noticed by the fashion industry.

Puck Landewé and Stefanie Mensink created a platform for new and young Dutch fashion talent. They are the founders of PS Magazine, a new independent fashion magazine. PS stands for Pre Stage. Over 120 pages of creative photography, fashion and illustrations are bundled in this oversized inspiring magazine.



I feel so honoured to be one of the creative’s in this amazing magazine.
Puck and Stefanie, thank you for giving me this opportunity and for believing in me.

Curious to know all this new and creative Dutch talent?
Visit PS Magazine and buy your copy in selected Dutch stores or online.

Enjoy,
Nancy

A 1000 DRAWINGS

(click to enlarge image)
A dear friend of mine mentioned 1000 Drawings Amsterdam.
The goal of the foundation is to transform society through creative expression in its broadest sense. Every year they choose a good cause to support and this year it is Young in Prison.

Young in Prison offers educational and creative workshops to help youth return to society with prospects for a better future.

Get creative. Support Young in Prison
In 2011 you can doodle and donate (= purchase drawings) to help the children in the Bonnytoun Prison in South Africa, a project by Young in Prison, who offer education and creative workshops to help them return into society with prospects for a better future!

1000 DRAWINGS IS…
…a creative platform that collects and sells 1000s of A5 drawings from and to everybody who loves to support the good cause and a unique, interactive stage for artistic talents to get up, stand up and rise & shine! Are you involved in art, music, fashion, theatre, photography, film, dance, literature, performance?
MAIL YOUR A5 SOON
It's almost 3 March, send them so they arrive on time, before 1 March if you can! Theme: “Draw anything, with anything on anything A5!”
Postal Adress:
1000 Drawings
Postbus 92292
1090 AG Amsterdam
The Netherlands

On Thursday 3 March 2011 Trouw Amsterdam opens for inspiration in the broadest sense. Join this unique creative experience and participate in our workshops, enjoy music and performances, and cheer for the artists at the Doodle Jam. And of course submerge yourself in viewing the 1000s of cool, unique, weird, sweet, amazing drawings for just € 10 a piece! All creative talents are put into the mix to FUNdraise money for the Bonnytoun Prison in South-Africa. You don’t just ‘donate’ money, you donate drawings and if you're fast enough you can get your ‘favourite pick’ out of all the 1000s of Drawings.

First come, first served! You might take home the next Warhol 2.0!
1000 Drawings in Trouw: Thursday 3 March, from 20:00 – 01:00 hour
Address: Trouw, Wibautstraat 127, Amsterdam

More info:
1000 Drawings & younginprison

Please join me,

Nancy

STYLEBUBBLE SURPRISE

(click to enlarge image)

The last weeks were so busy. Meetings, deadlines, Amsterdam Fashion Week.
Today I finally found time to visit a few of my favourite sites again. And to my surprise I see the illustration that I made of Style Bubble at her blog at January 31, 2011. Susie posts these great and varied photo series and I love her cheeky way of writing.

Last week I completed a special assignment. For a new magazine to come out soon. More info later at my blog. Every time I‘m glad with the surprising contracts that are being awarded towards me, the people I meet, the opportunities and invitations I get and most of all the people who love me back. I love the world of fashion.

Enjoy,
Nancy

FAIRYTALE AT AMSTERDAM FASHION WEEK

I was so lucky to get invited to Amsterdam Fashion Week.

I got the chance to meet the lovely bloggers Andy, Denni and Yara in person. The last year I made illustrations of them and they are even more beautiful in person.





I enjoyed the collection IRRADIANCE of designer JAN TAMINIAU, it was like being in a black, grey and white glittering fairytale! The models faces were hidden underneath sparkling hoods as they passed by in luxurious silk designs. The showpieces had patterns in woven Baroque with special reflecting threads, showing Taminiau's passion for detailed craftsmanship. With the towering shoes the models seemed out of this world. Providing an element of tension and vulnerability to the amazing story Taminiau was showing us.

As icing on the cake there he was, right in front of me, Piet Paris drawing the radiant pieces of the collection.

Enjoy,

Nancy