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How did you hear about FIDA x Fashion Scout and what access did you get?
I heard about Fida x Fashion Scout through the Fida instagram and website - though this wasn't my first time there! I had full access to Front row and backstage, which was amazing.
How do you prepare for Fashion week ?
I try and practise catwalk and quick sketching as much as I can before fashion week. NY Fashion week happens before London fashion week so I watch all the NY shows and draw from them. I research a bit about the designers whose collections I'll be drawing. And I figure out what materials I need. Every time I try and take a smaller kit of stuff but it never seems to work out that way!
What was your experience of drawing live in the front row and backstage?
It was exhausting but exciting and fun. I loved meeting and drawing with other illustrators from Fida. The Front row was exciting because I got to see the build-up to the show, and could sketch guests as they arrive. Once the show starts everything happens quickly - I could only get a few lines on the page at the most as the models whizz by, but I got plenty of photos to work from. It was a lot of standing up to see over the crowds at times. Backstage was hectic and busy but there were also moments of calm where a model was waiting for make up or for the show to start and I could take a bit more time to make a drawing. There were a lot of interesting people to meet and talk to from make-up artists, photographers, and models to media/pr people and of course the guests.
What key takeaways / learnings did you have to share from drawing at fashion week?
- Don't take too much stuff!! I'm still learning this one! You have to be compact and mobile.You won't have a dedicated space for most of the time so be prepared. Think about what materials you are comfortable with and use those.
- Don't stress about getting perfect drawings in the moment - it all happens too quickly - you will have time between shows to finish work.
- Try to be confident and talk to as many people as possible (I’m also still working on this one!). People love to see illustrators drawing and are very flattered if you draw them. You can make some useful connections if you put the effort in.
How do you share and document your work to showcase to your audience?
It’s easy to forget to document things when you are engrossed in drawing, but I try to remember to take as many photos and videos in situ as possible and ask other people to take photos and videos of me in action! Reels are an excellent way to document your experience, and to show you working live.
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