Beauty in Silhouettes and Imperfections with Petra Dufkova

March 25, 2025

Fashion illustrator Petra Dufkova earned recognition as one of the Top 10 of the Top 100 Fashion Portraits Prize at International Fashion Illustration Week 2025 last month. Known for her expressive watercolour works, Dufkova continues to make a lasting impression in the world where art meets fashion.

When Dufkova first learned about the competition, she knew it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“As an illustrator, I’m always looking for competitions like this. They challenge me - no one is really easy to do because you have to interpret your ideas into the award’s expectations,” she explains. But beyond the challenge, it was also about connecting with other artists: “I’m curious to see the artwork of another talented artist, which inspires me as well.”

Upon hearing the news that she had been selected for the Top 10, Dufkova was elated. “Absolutely amazing! And thankful to FIDA for bringing this award to the artists.”

Dufkova’s artistic journey started early. “When I was thirteen, I spent my time drawing all day long and preparing for talent tests at the art school two years later,” she recalls. “It was hard work at that age, but also a big dream of mine at the same time.”

That dream led her to study fashion design at an arts academy, where she found the perfect way to blend her two great loves. “What would be better and more fulfilling than combining both worlds? Art meets fashion by doing illustrations.”

Dufkova’s career has been marked by many accomplishments, including winning the Best Illustration Award for her fashion collection at China Fashion Week in 2008. Reflecting on the experience, she says, “Back then, I believed it was a great reason to start my career as a fashion illustrator.”

Dufkova’s creative inspiration is broad, drawing from everything from nature to the works of other artists. “Art is a huge source of inspiration. Colours in their different shades, surfaces, and structures. And nature - I see beautiful silhouettes and patterns everywhere. I also love all the imperfections.”

For her competition submission, she looked to the bold aesthetics of the 1980s. “The fashion portrait I submitted for the award was originally created for French fragrance label Onskad a few weeks ago, inspired by the 1980s era,” she shares. “The eighties were a time of noise and excess, with their crazy, theatrical fashion and strong makeup. Women of the 80s favoured explosive, sultry fragrances.”

Her approach to illustration is both methodical and expressive. “Always beginning with a strong pencil line and further proceeding with a watercolour technique, I tried to translate all these attributes into the visual, keeping it as simple as possible.”

As for what’s next, Dufkova remains focused on continuing to evolve her craft. “I really enjoy practicing this wonderful, creative job as an illustrator. I would like to continue collaborations with other brands, not only in the fashion industry.”

Beyond commercial work, she has a personal dream she’s considering bringing to life. “I’m thinking about a little, private collection of painted sets or coffee service… just dreaming.”

Whether working on high-profile collaborations or indulging in her own creative pursuits, Petra Dufkova’s passion for fashion illustration continues to shine. With a career defined by artistic excellence and a fearless approach to new challenges, her work is set to inspire for years to come.