Fashion Illustration, Inspiration and Expert Techniques
Anna Kiper
David & Charles
What this book is
This is a second, revised edition of a previously published version of the same book. This is to however a repeat. It is an extension, based on the author having new knowledge of her practice and also how time has moved on - fashion is old the day it is made - this book resonates with that.
Who has written it
Anna Kiper is a New York City based fashion designer with a passion for illustration. She has worked for companies such as Calvin Klein, Mondi, and Maggie Norris Couture. She is used to dressing the famous, so has that eye for the art of what works - what flows, how it sits, the tailoring. To know this is a practice that’s an art. Anna is also a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Parsons School of Design.
Anna's work has been widely published in books and magazines.
Her illustrations have been exhibited at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan and were showcased at the Museum of the City of New York as part of a presentation on contemporary haute couture. So she is well in the business. She has the experience level of only a few. It is lived experience too; that counts for a lot.
She has written two books”
Fashion Portfolio: Design and Presentation is the complete guide to putting together an attention-grabbing fashion portfolio. A beautiful and practical book that helps readers get inside the designer's mind.
Fashion Illustration: Inspiration and Technique features lessons on illustrating fashion figures, faces, arms, and legs as well as garment details, accessories, fabrics, life model drawing and media exploration. It also has sections dedicated to menswear and children's wear.
The market
Ideally, I would say two distinct markets:
Those who are in the fashion business, the literal non sitting at a desk creating art kind - the fashion houses etc.
Those who are studying fashion at school or university.
Obviously those of us who just love fashion will appreciate it, but the level of style and finesse here is greater appreciated if we have a reason to appreciate it in the first place. I know from lived experience as a student, books like this one were invaluable.
Why does it matter
Some of us may look at fashion with distaste, with an air of ‘life matters over fashion matters’. However this book can be valued on so many levels. I will explain a few of them here in my review.
The matter of art. This book, holds some beautiful accounts of the human form and how the drape of fabric on the body can beautify and celebrate. Fashion is an art form - we can all see that even if we are not in the industry itself.
All the great designers have to start at the bottom, the beginning of the story. Behind every catwalk, so much planning and development, so much creative content has gone before. It is important to appreciate that and see how much depth it has.
Some areas the book covers
Fashion has to be created for something, that ‘something’ is first covered, with the human form being laid out and used as the dress tool.
Then the book moved through steps of how fashion can be used on this form.
More niche areas are then identified, for example covering both genders and the younger members of the pack.
As the artist I most identified with the materials section from page 132. The visually aware of their tools ad their trade will really ‘get’ the raw displays of pencils and paint. Each tool is then explained further in its use - i.e. ink and the beauty of its use - think ink pens, the strokes we can create with brush pens…all of this of course must be learned; but seeing it makes us tempted - or maybe that is just me. It is not all ink and paint mind - think mixed media and collage. Remember that plans in fashion can and should have a fabric feel too - the final product identified and realised in its planning stages as well as finals.
Thoughts
At a young age, we all need a reason to become whoever we have thought about….well…becoming. It takes temptation, a good tutor and a good experience. This book can certainly support that early education stage, as well as anyone who appreciates this art form.
Keen to order your copy?
