A sparkling wedding: Jenny Packham wedding dress illustration

Posted on 13/04/2013 by Marta Madaiva

Jenny Packham, the most successful British designer, is second to none in the wedding industry and at red carpet events with an A-list of celebrities and iconic women such as the Duchess of Cambridge. Since the launching of the company in 1988, her bridal gowns have appeared on national and international bridal magazines with collections sold at the most prestigious department stores such as Harrods and Neiman Marcus.

When I heard from @Bridesmagazine that Jenny Packham was having an end of line bridal sale in London I couldn’t help but sneaking a peak again at the 2013 bridal collection. At last I felt that inspiration that an artist needs to finish an artwork. The Astrantia wedding dress illustration I started when I first saw it was quickly completed. How not falling in love with a crystal embroidery that makes you sparkle on your day?!

Soon the sale will touch base in Manchester on 18th April. It’s interested to hear from the London brides who attended the sale event in Conduit Street. Did you find your one of a kind wedding dress?

Will Jenny Packham celebrate her 25^thanniversary this year designing Adele’s wedding dress?

Rainbow of hope for Missoni – Missoni Loves Havaianas flip flop illustration

Posted on 03/04/2013 by Marta Madaiva

Looking at our wall calendar spring has officially started. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing cold temperatures and cannot help but daydream of the rays of the sun and warm summer days wearing shorts, tops and flip flops.

Who doesn’t have a pair of flip flops in the shoe rank? We all agree that they are the most inexpensive and comfortable shoes for our feet. The most popular ones on the market come from Havaianas, a Brazilian-based company known for fun and style, which teamed up with Missoni, the Italian luxury brand, to produce the capsule collection Missoni Loves Havaianas in 2011 and 2012.

Of Italian origins, if I close my eyes I cannot help but think of a better representative for those vivacious colours. Known for its knitwear and traditional zigzag patterns in a rainbow of colours, the name Missoni hits my head these days as we are approaching the 4 of April. Three months ago Vittorio Missoni, the marketing director, with his life partner Maurizia Castiglioni, two friends Elda Scalvenzi and Guido Foresti and two Venezuelan pilots disappeared while flying back between Los Roques archipelago and Caracas.

The search has been ongoing and everybody continues to hold hope. troviamoli@gmail.com is the email address to write if you know anything about it.

Moreover, the fact brings me back to the thought of other tourists who disappeared on 4 January 2008 without leaving trace and sharing the same devastating event of Vittorio Missoni and his friends in Venezuela.

The Missoni Loves Havaianas flip flops illustration is a hymn to hope.

Never cease to hope.

Summer invitation – Stella McCartney dress illustration

Posted on 26/03/2013 by Marta Madaiva

Where has the sun gone? Has the sun taken a spring off? When is spring coming? These and other weather related questions are spreading in social networks and between Londoners quickly these days. Not to mention the reason, which is pretty obvious.

Last week while I was going to work and almost frozen waiting for the train in London Bridge a rare copy of Stylist (yes, rare because I cannot find one while travelling!) was on the bench, frozen as well.

In issue 165 in the summary of the magazine here it was: a sleeveless, round neck dress by Stella McCartney. A dress that was an invitation for summer.

The contrast of colours – the liveliness of the sun and the greyness of the sky outside – fuelled the desire for sketching a Stella McCartney dress illustration.

Crowned Designer of the Year at the Savoy last November, Stella McCartney is renowned for her simple tailoring. I wonder what inspired her in designing that dress. What is its name?

Fashion illustration birthday card

Posted on 22/03/2013 by Marta Madaiva

I deeply apologize for not having posted this fashion illustration birthday card! The owner has recently written to me as she couldn’t find her fashion illustration on the blog. I realized that I only posted two!!!

The fashion illustration birthday card was commissioned on the occasion of her 18th birthday by her parents who wanted to celebrate with a one-of-a-kind gift.

Working from the party’s photos I created the fashion illustration card. Add uniqueness to you birthday present and leave the guest of honour open-mouthed for surprise! Drop me an email for more details!

Happy 2013 with macarons illustration!

Posted on 30/12/2012 by Marta Madaiva

Inspiration for this macarons illustration has come from a gift delivered to my sister’s for Christmas. A lovely pastel Ladurée box from Paris!

Ladurée macarons do not need any introduction as they are the most popular biscuits and the favourite sweet treats of children. What people might not know is their origins, which are not French, but surprisingly, Italian!

Wishing a 2013 full of sweet things!

Beyoncé and baby Blue Ivy illustration

Posted on 13/10/2012 by Marta Madaiva

As holiday approached the Beyoncé and baby Blue Ivy illustration, which goes back to July, went to the drawer!

The pop singer Beyoncé with her daughter Blue Ivy on her hip were caught by paparazzi during their shopping trip to New York City in July. She showed off not only her little girl, but also her newly braided hair tied up in a bun!

The Beyonce and baby Blue Ivy sketch is still unfinished!

London 2012 Olympics: Alex Schwazer and his dream

Posted on 09/08/2012 by Marta Madaiva

When sport is not simply fun, but it becomes suffering and a trap. A trap where the most intensive despair knocks on your door and slowly suffocates all your hopes. You find yourself unable to say “enough” and to live the life that you have always dreamt about. Come on, Alex! Now it is the right time to race walk towards your freedom and live that normal life that you have often longed for.

Quando lo sport non è più solo un gioco e divertimento, ma diventa una sofferenza ed una trappola. Una trappola nella quale la disperazione bussa piano piano, ti soffoca piano piano e t’impedisce di dire “basta” e vivere la vita che vuoi. Forza Alex! Ora puoi correre la tua marcia verso la libertà e vivere quella vita normale che tanto hai sospirato.

Happy Birthday card: Mini Cooper for Gian Luca!

Posted on 05/08/2012 by Marta Madaiva

Gian Luca celebrated his 62nd birthday with a barbecue party surrounded by family members and lifelong friends in a superb location. Unfortunately, weather was not very good, but it did not spoil the party! Guests mingled and had a great time dancing and taking pictures. They all loved Gian Luca’s wife’s cooking.

My birthday card illustration has been a present from the family. I was asked to illustrate the birthday boy with something that he really loves. He has a passion for his black BMW Mini Cooper and the lake. So both elements were a must!!!

Happy birthday, Gian Luca!

Rupert Sanderson sandals for the London 2012 Olympics

Posted on 28/07/2012 by Marta Madaiva

As a matter of fact I truly love shoes. So illustrating the Rupert Sanderson sandals has been an enjoyable time. The inspiration came after a shopping tour with my special friend at Selfridges on a Saturday afternoon – not really the right time to go shopping as it was very crowded!!!

The Italian-made Rupert Sanderson sandals are drawn from the colours of the Union Jack and have been designed for the Queen’s Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics.

The Marquita sandals, made of patent leather, are the best choice for a summer and Olympic night out!

What kind of bride are you? Tell your guests with Swarovski bridal earrings!

Posted on 11/07/2012 by Marta Madaiva

Modern, classic or vintage? Brides, the UK’s no. 1 best-selling bridal magazine, mixes and matches the Swarosvki crystal jewelry for different kind of brides.

The Swarovski bridal earrings illustrations have been sketched after reading the article in the July/August 2012 issue, which invited the readers to the Swarovski event at the flagship store in London – Oxford Street – to discover the new Swing, Sing & Shine jewelry collection.

Whether you love ruffles or corsets made with lace (=corsetti di pizzo), jewelry conveys that distinctive and unique element to your bridal look. Make it simple or statement!

Already married or bride-to-be? Vote for your bridal style with the Swarovski bridal earring illustrations!

Drawing Fashion Illustrations

fashion drawings and wedding illustrations

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