‘For illustration, it is a form of communication, for technical purposes or to buyers and advertisers. To illustrate the mood and style of the clothes, on a body. In other words, “to sell it”.
‘When one goes to see a fashion show, the first thing one sees when the model comes down a catwalk is the silhouette, the proportions and colour - all very important when it comes to illustrating fashion. These can also indicate how something is cut. Details, textures, accessories and makeup, help to illustrate the fashion in a contemporary way. Important for the illustrator to be aware of in the look of their final works.
‘For myself, I always work from life, with a sitter. Drawing what I see and feel. Being aware of the body underneath the clothes, and how the clothes react to the movement of the body. I look for the way the person moves, sits, holds their head, the character of the individual. I think that is what also makes the clothes come to life.’
HOWARD TANGYE
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“I have always believed in the art form known as illustration. Despite the fact that the world is so engaged in technology, for my money, nothing beats the artistry, elegance, and beauty of illustration.
In recent years, because of the ongoing emphasis on technology, illustration may have been overshadowed, but thanks to the ongoing efforts of FIDA and its support of the art of illustration and young illustrators worldwide, I believe we are on the precipice of a new and exciting renaissance in interest in illustration. From the historical legacy of illustration giants like Alphonse Mucha, Toulouse- Lautrec, Aubrey Beardsley, and Maxfield Parrish, to J.C. Leyendecker, Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, Kenneth Paul Block and Antonio Lopez, FIDA is leading the way for the next generation of illustration greats."
JEFFREY BANKS
FASHION DESIGNER & CFDA BOARD MEMBER
Copryright The Fible Yellow Neon
“I have had the honour to be a FIDA Ambassador since the very beginning and I am more than happy and proud to see how fashion illustrators keep creating such powerful images. FIDA is pushing fashion artists from anywhere in the world to rethink the impact of illustration within and outside the fashion industry.
I can see the amount of time, research, hard work and creativity behind every single entry to the Awards, FIDA is celebrating not only the winners but anyone who keeps challenging fashion illustration and its possibilities.”
Francesco Io Iacono - Fashion illustrator
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Print details
Book, 235mm x 285mm 128 full colour illustrated pages
Casebound hard cover printed full colour on 170gsm silk matt laminate Scodex heavy gloss
spot varnish
GF SMITH - 150gsm Munken Kristall T/W Rough
Colorplan 175gsm Orange Embossed endpapers (start and finish
of book) plain finish
De-bossed foils Gold 6123 & Red 6717
Red head & tail bands Red cloth bookmark
Red thread-sewn binding
In a move that Fida founder, Patrick Morgan, describes as “the start of a journey and partnership between artist and artisan,” the Fashion Illustration and Digital Arts community and Italian accessory house, Rodo, collaborated to create the “Rodisegno Prize - Drawing an Icon.”
The competition is a result of Fida’s aim to promote excellence in the field of fashion art, enhance best practices, and enable artists to live a more sustainable life as creative professionals. Since 1956, Florence-based Rodo has epitomized glamour, innovation and the proud tradition of handmade in Italy epitomized by its signature rattan craftsmanship. “For a long time I have wanted to have Rodo reinterpreted in an artistic way. Who better than Fida Worldwide, which represents young international illustrators?” says Bona Bonarelli for Rodo. “In a world made up of images, I thought it was essential to also experiment with a different point of view, that of illustration.”
With the patronage of the Municipality of Milan six international artists-–Connie Lim, Chris Gambrell, Ekaterina Demina, Joanna Layla, Kelly Bailey and Hossein Borojeni––were asked to reinterpret six iconic Rodo products. An international jury was summoned to choose a winner which included Tommaso Sacchi, Councilor for Culture for the Municipality of Milan; Angelo Flaccavento, journalist and fashion critic; Simone Marchetti, European Editorial director of *Vanity Fair* and Editor in Chief of *Vanity Fair* Italy; Andrea Tenerani, Editor in Chief of *Icon* magazine, and Betty Morgan, Director of the Kenneth Paul Block Foundation.
London-based illustrator wins first international Rodisegno prize
The winner, London-based LA-born Connie Lim who teaches life drawing at CSM, Kingston and London College of Fashion, was invited to Milan to receive the prize during Milan Fashion Week at an exclusive event held at the Casa del Manzoni Museum in Via Marone.
BY JACKIE MALLON - FASHION UNITED
In 2022, the Rodesigno Prize was created: a Fida partnership with luxury, Italian fashion brand, Rodo, who have been creating stunning handmade products, combining craftsmanship and innovation, for over 65 years. A selection of artists were invited to draw an iconic piece from the product range, capturing the essence of Rodo, which were later judged by an esteemed panel of industry leaders. The selected artworks were exhibited at the prestigious Manzoni Gallery, where the winner was announced.
copyright Michael Choi
'Fida provides an inspiring platform that unites and celebrates the diversity and vitality of contemporary fashion illustration. Through attitude, texture, subtlety and line, fashion illustration today is more versatile and exciting than ever. A unique discipline that is firmly rooted in the fine art tradition of the masters of fashion illustration of the 20th century, communicating fashion through contemporary illustration remains a central part of the evolving story of 21st century fashion and culture.'
Connie Gray - Fida Judge
Copryright Jessica Bird
'This award is a collection of diverse and powerful talents.
Compared to the previous award, I felt that there were more rough and powerful works than poetic works.
Personally, it was difficult for me to choose because the works of the Multidisciplinary Award category are highly complete and their tastes are completely different.
I chose the works based on the balance between the completeness of the work and the potential for future commercial works.'
Hiroshi Tanabe - Fida Judge
“As social media expands and we are inundated with images, fashion illustration has never been as important.
Not as a competition to photography, but as an alternative way for a viewer to process: fashion illustration lets us interpret, dream and fantasize in wonderful ways! Long live fashion illustration!”
R.Haines
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Fida partnered with the education scholarship programme, With Love Halston Foundation, to celebrate the 90th birthday of the fashion designer, Halston. Showcasing over 90 fashion illustrations at the famous National Arts Club, New York, the occasion was kicked off by speeches from Jeffrey Banks, Harold Koda, and Halston Creative Director, Ken Downing, with an appearance from the Halstonettes - making it a truly memorable event. ?
The grand finale of the celebration was a live auction, hosted by Phillips auction house, raising money for the With Love Halston Scholarship Fund.
'It was so lovely to see the diverse body of work interpreted from the brief and the explorations of both analogue and digital mediums. It just shows that fashion illustration is breaking the boundaries and is in the forefront of challenging the status quo.'
Connie Lim
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Fida partnered with Pfeffer Sal, a hidden gem in the heart of Fitzrovia, London, known for its cutting edge facials, tranquil setting and holistic approach to skincare.
Joanna Layla was commissioned to decode the vision of this celebrity-favourite beauty brand, with stunning results.
'The Fida awards are an exciting window into the best and bravest contemporary fashion image making - inspiring innovation across media and platform. Fashion Illustration is such a powerful tool in documenting fashion – with agility, emotion, immediacy and sustainability. The awards encourage and support this brave new world of fashion image making.'
Joanna Layla
Lacoste Event Launch
In 2022, the Rodesigno Prize was created: a Fida partnership with luxury, Italian fashion brand, Rodo, who have been creating stunning handmade products, combining craftsmanship and innovation, for over 65 years. A selection of artists were invited to draw an iconic piece from the product range, capturing the essence of Rodo, which were later judged by an esteemed panel of industry leaders. The selected artworks were exhibited at the prestigious Manzoni Gallery, where the winner was announced.
Copyright The Fible Vol.001
‘Studio Practice’ refers to the methodology through which an artist engages with their craft, encompassing their unique concepts, chosen themes, conceptual explorations, sources of inspiration, and the stylistic elements that define their artwork. The evolution of an artist’s practice is often influenced by the era and cultural context within which they operate.
Fida partnered with Tiffany & Co., With Love Halston Foundation, The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation and Istituto Marangoni to hold an immersive fashion experience honouring Halston and Elsa Peretti, who worked closely together, during their careers.
Students at Istituto Marangoni, Miami, were asked to create outfits using Ultrasuede - one of Halston’s signature fabrics - as part of the With Love Halston Scholarship Fund, which supports up-and-coming fashion design students.
Fida artists provided the perfect backdrop for the event, with a stunning collection of works, depicting Elsa Peretti’s iconic jewellery for Tiffany, admired by the huge crowd of attendees from the fashion and art worlds.
Featured Artists in the Book
‘As soon as I put a design on paper, something happens. The sound of the pencil is like an exciting echo of our subconscious.’ Elsa Peretti for Elle Decor (1993).
‘The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation, guided by Elsa’s spirit, is proud to support the With Love Halston Foundation’s commitment in providing fashion students with the encouragement they need to create and thrive. Just like Halston did back then, transferring his enthusiasm and discipline to Elsa at the beginning of her career as a jewellery designer.
‘Congratulations to the talented students, graduates, amateurs, professionals and members of FIDA, for paying homage to Elsa, through their works of art, each embodying in a very personal and unique way her trailblazing vision.’
THE NANDO & ELSA PERETTI FOUNDATION