Lovisa Burfitt thrives on going the extra mile, getting her hands dirty, and finding inspiration in music. Her artistic process is deeply intertwined with sound, as she translates songs into visual expressions.
How do you approach translating the textures, fabrics, and details of fashion designs into your illustrations?
I always have the mindset: rather drawing the feeling of the garment than actually drawing the garment. It kind of takes the pressure out of the whole thing and the end result stays more artistic.
What role does storytelling play in your fashion illustrations? How do you bring a narrative to life through your work?
I work very close to music, so images are often born from lyrics of the music I’m listening to, and the colours are notes to me, and so the drawings have a soundtrack. I also write stories, so it is quite organic the way it comes about.
How do you balance artistic expression with capturing the essence of a fashion collection or garment?
I’m more and more letting go of the “it has to look like the exact garment” and letting my artistic expression come through. It depends on the client, but usually they come to me because they want my interpretation and style.
Which fashion designers or eras have influenced your illustration style the most, and why?
I’m a child of my time and era, so of course the punk in late '70s into the '80s. And I studied at Fashion school in the '90s, going from the supermodels, designers like John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood, to power suits, then to heroin chic...Ann Demeulemeester, Helmut Lang, Kate moss, Juergen Teller...and here we can see how it is back in the cycle. I was at design school when we were merely entering the digital era, so I’m before and after, which is quite amazing! I have been a little obsessed about learning how to do good retouching and so on, and now I’m going back to using cutting, pasting, scotching, old school, and also the idea of doing a perfect original that does not need to be retouched, which is fun!
How do you keep your illustrations fresh and relevant in an industry that constantly evolves with trends?
I do not consider it too much, I follow my gut feeling.
What tools or mediums do you prefer when illustrating fashion - digital, traditional, or a mix of both? Why?
The mix of both, it is such a pleasure to get your hands dirty. I also tend to think the actual structure, being able to touch an artwork is a huge pleasure. The computer is a great tool, and Photoshop a good friend.
How do you approach illustrating movement and the way fabric flows, especially when depicting runway looks?
Well, sometimes I make a drawing 20-30 times before I find the trick!
What’s the most challenging part of fashion illustration - capturing intricate details, conveying mood, or something else?
My style can be quite simplistic, so intricate details and patterns are the most difficult for me. It makes by brain smoke. So I tend to focus on the mood.
How do you use colour theory in your work to evoke emotions or highlight the key elements of a design?
I love to use black with some touches of colour, but lately some commissions have pushed me to use much more colour and it has been so great for me. I am very grateful for that, and it is fascinating how you can develop if you get thrown out of your comfort zone, and the best is working with someone, an art director or art buyer, publisher or perhaps a writer, who sees you, and gives you the key to go the extra mile. Cry a little, tear your hair, wanting to die, to then get excited, ecstatic and happy creative again. Haha.
How do collaborations with fashion brands or designers influence your creative process and the direction of your work?
I’ve noticed how since were working with trends, I often get several commissions during the same timeline that correlate in content, architectural feeds architectural, suited feeds suited, poetic makes poetic and so on, and there you have to go deeper in to a subject and you develop. That’s just so beautiful.
See more of Lovisa Burfitt:
Instagram: lovisaburfitt_studio
Website: www.lovisaburfitt.com