Customer Reviews

Fashion Illustration by Fashion Designers

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though the book covers a wide range of both up-and-coming as well as established designers, to be honest, if i would have had the chance to page through it I wouldn't have purchased it. I was looking for inspiring fashion illustration, but what this book confirmed for me is that fashion illustration is best done by fashion illustrators, not fashion designers. I agree with other that comment that the cover is deceiving-- but not because, like other commenters, I DIDN"T like it, but because I LOVE the cover illustration and hoped that similarly fresh, contemporary, and cutting edge drawings would be inside. Instead, most of the illustration is in a very generic minimalist fashion design style (you know the generic line/stick figure body drawn with sweeping strokes to represent draped cloth) or very dated a la 80s-90s (probably because most of the designers featured were in school about that time and continue drawing their sketches in the style they developed in school). Most of the drawings are more functional for the designer rather than original but don't contain technical notes on garment construction.

I was hoping to buy a book I could pour over, and really sink my teeth into each drawing, but most of the drawings are minimalist, generically styled, or dated looking. I also assumed, even if the actual drawing didn't inspire, that the book would provide a really inside, intimate look into the creative process with handwritten notes or detailed description, but alas, it does not. The book covers a huge range of designers offering a few illustrations from each along side a very brief half-paragraph about who they are (often information you could find in wikipedia). It seems more quantity over quality.

To be fair though:

there are some really original drawings by Hanuk kim, Costello Tagliapietra, antonio ciutto, aitor throup, ricardo tisci, lovisa burfitt, and over course the cover artist Alena Akhumadullina.

The book is large and comes in a very sturdy hardback cover, making it an ideal coffee table book.

There are contemporary 'it' designers like Rodarte, Badgley Mischka, etc along side legends like YSL, Lagerfeld, betsey johnson, etc.

I own or have thumbed through many many times all the fashion illustration books that are out there. They all seem pretty appealing but leave me wanting more. I'd say this is the best collection of the bunch. It feels more up to date and varied than many of the others I looked through. If you are going to buy one of the many fashion illustration books out there - I'd say this is your best bet.

To all the aspiring fashion designers, illustrators, and hipsters... this is a beautiful book to own. I love it so much, it is such a great look at how fashion designers see their creations. Art can be anything, even a sketch of what you think people should wear. I highly approve of this purchase, along with a new pair of shoes.

An exciting collection of drawings, paintings and illustrations created by international fashion designers showing (once and for all) the tremendous variety of drawing styles one can use to communicate ideas for clothing and accessories design. From the classically trained drawing skills to the uniquely stylized,personal work to a few using the computer.Most of the work looks hand drawn with energy and passion. A welcome change from the many books showcasing cold, high-tech-HACK work with no individuality.
This is not a How-to-draw-fashion book (and thank god!) for there are far too many of those HACK-books: dreadfully boring, mediocre, unstylish and uninspiring books that never seems to be in touch with ANY kind fashion. This is the kind of book that really inspires a fashion professional or student.
The cover seems a very odd choice considering all the knock-out art inside. Alot of people have mentioned they would never be attracted to open the book based on the cover.

As an artist not a fashion illustrator I find this book inspirational! My goal is to sketch out the various styles to cause my eye and hand to move and "see" the human form in a different way. This book is predominately filled with quick sketch and gesture drawings and is a fine example of those styles.

As with most books I've taken this one out from the library for a test run but I will buy this book!

This is a useful text for entry level fashion students in that it shows a variety of illustration styles used by independent and established designers and acknowledges the differnt role illustration plays in developing garment concepts.
The introduction, illustration notes, quotes and illustrations clearly demonstrate diversity in design methodologies across a variety of garment categories and emphasize the 'personal' aproach taken by individuals in initiating the design process.
From an instructional point of view, I would like to have seen more 'developmental' drawings (if they exist)from the designers who indicate the initial concept illustration diverges from the resolved garment design and possibly a comparison with illustrations created for promotional purposes.
Evidence of designers 'hand-writing' in the form of concept drawings is difficult to locate and Borelli's effort to document such examples is commendable.

I really like this book. it's very helpful since I'm not that good illustrating. it's good to know that fashion designers don't need to have amazing illustrations.

This is a fabulous book which I found both inspiring and amazing. It has helped me understand that not everything has to be perfectly drawn to get my ideas across. Many different styles abound in this book and that in itself frees up designers to work in their own style.