My first experience of drawing back stage - Nilu Kuhpour
1- How did you hear about FIDA x Fashion Scout and what access did you get?
Fashion illustration has been my passion since early childhood, and I've always followed fashion shows, magazines, and runways. On my journey, I was eager to learn more and sought out the right communities and courses wherever I could. That search led me to FIDA. As an exclusive member, I had the opportunity to attend the Fashion Scout runways during London Fashion Week, for which I am truly grateful.
2- How do you prepare for Fashion week ?
It was my first time working as a live illustrator at such an event, so I did some research online, exploring the experiences of other live illustrators and investigating which materials would work best. I also reviewed the list of designers, explored their styles, and identified the key talking points in their work.
3 - What was your experience of drawing live in the front row and backstage?
I savoured every moment of the experience. The atmosphere was perfect—everyone from models to creators, photographers, journalists, and makeup artists was incredibly passionate and full of love for their craft. It was a fantastic opportunity to break into the field, build new friendships and connections. Without a doubt, this journey will continue.
4 - What key takeaways / learnings did you have to share from drawing at fashion week?
One key lesson the experience taught me was: 'Don’t overload your bag with too many materials!' The show moves quickly, and the focus is on capturing the essence of each look, fragment, and design. Detailed work can come later. Secondly, enjoy the moment and be fully present. Do your best without worrying about the outcome—there will always be a great piece that emerges.
5 - How do you share and document your work to showcase to your audience?
I primarily share my work on Instagram, though I'm not a very active user. However, starting in November, I plan to focus more on the platform and establish my signature style through my work. My website will also feature a curated selection of my latest work.
