FASHION FAVOURITE | Louis Vuitton in trashcan

© NHM | LOUIS VUITTON | FW 2012

My workspace started to shrink by the day. Stacks of paper, magazines, materials, etc. were taking over my room. I finally took some time to clean up, re-organize my workplace and a excellent moment to archive my latest work.

This illustration is one of my favourites and was a experiment with disposables. This time a pair of scissors and a hobby knife were my working tools too. I choose one of my favourite looks from the Louis Vuitton FW 2012 collection and a nice pose. Then I cut out the coatdress from a yellow discloth. A first I didn't know how to create the squashed Stephen Jones hat. The next morning I baked an egg for my son Issey, I threw away the empty brown egg carton, and there it was ... , ... my Louis Vuitton hat, in the trashcan.
I used the egg carton to cut layers for the giant hat. I could now continue my collage. I then painted the hat and coatdress in the right colours. The big and oversized sunglasses are glassbeads, the enormous crystal buttons are bubble wrap and sequins. With other scrap material I finished the platform pumps in the collage. This illustration was so much fun, something completely new for me.

The moment I felt the excitement again watching this illustration, I knew I wanted to share more of my work with you. So please feel free to visit my website NHMILLUSTRATIONS and see more new work.

Right now my workplace is ready for another new fashion season, hopefully full of new fashion favourites.

Enjoy,
Nancy

FASHION ICON | Christóbal Balenciaga

© NHM | Balenciaga | Resort 2014

With his Resort 2014 collection ALEXANDER WANG shows his deep respect for the Balenciaga’s House’s codes. The collection has the signature of Balenciaga big volumes, shapes and refers to self-taught designer Cristóbal BALENCIAGA. 

Today Wang shows his interpretation, of the ultra modern, elegant and feminine silhouette with this sculptured petaline, volumed and ovoid shaped bolero-cum-bra top. The colors black, white and grey where continued from Wang’s debut collection for the House.

I love to recognize the typical signature of the Spanish Basque designer and founder of the house Balenciaga. The talented designer created ultra-modern but yet so feminine shapes. The tunic dress, the high-waisted baby doll dress, the balloon skirt, the sack dress and the cocoon coat were like sculptures. 

His use of heavy fabrics, the so called bracelet sleeves and the collars that stood away from the neck. 

Christobal Balenciaga

With his manipulation of the waist he created a whole new silhouette for women in the 50’s and 60’s, this was considered Balenciaga’s most important contribution to fashion.

Thank you Mr. Wang for keeping the legacy of the great master of couture alive.

Enjoy,

Nancy | NHM FASHION ILLUSTRATIONS

STYLE ICON : FRIDA KAHLO

The Film ‘FRIDA’ (2002) unique visual language takes us into the life of Mexican painter FRIDA KAHLO de Rivera (1907-1954). The Mexican painter suffered lifelong health problems. This life full of pain and drama, partly due to a accident and also a volatile marriage with famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera, she expresses in her paintings. Mexican cultural and Amerindian cultural traditions are also important in Kahlo’s work, which has been sometimes characterized as Naïve art or folk art. Her work has also been described as "surrealist". She is perhaps best know for her 55 self-portraits.

[Selfportrait]

Kahlo : "I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.”

[Frida in New York]
At the age of six, Frida developed polio, which caused her right leg to appear much thinner than the other, which she disguised by wearing long, colorful skirts. She often wore native Mexican clothing with bright colors and primitive style as an expression of her solidarity with the indigenous people of her nation. Actrice Salma Hayek wore over fifty costumes to become Frida. To get the unique ‘Frida look’, stylist Julie Weiss purchased some of the pieces from street vendors in Mexico City. “FRIDA” was nominated with six Academy Awards, one for best costume design.

[exquisite illustration of Julie Weiss]

[Selma Hayek]

[picture of Frida]

The movie also reminds us that art is best enjoyed when it moves, breathes and is painted on a giant canvas. Art and their creators are also often a big inspiration in the World of Fashion.

Jean Paul Gaultier collection : “Homage To Frida Kahlo”, 1998

[Picture Vogue Germany, 1998]

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