ANNA
Occupation: Fashion Illustrator
City: Barcelona, Spain
All artwork by Anna Bours / Dollhouse
FASHION STUDIO: How did you become a fashion illustrator?
ANNA: Ever since I could hold a pencil, I was doodling and sketching every spare moment I had. Fashion, poses, photography, fabrics and textures always fascinated me. But it took me quite some years to figure out that fashion illustration contained all the aspects I aimed for and to take a big decision to really try to make a career out of it. I’ve been working for many years as a Pattern Maker / Illustrator for clothing labels, and as a Graphic Designer.
For the last few years I felt the need to dedicate more time on fashion illustration, to improve my skills, as I never really had the time beside my job to improve my drawing techniques. So last year I decided to take the big step and quit my job, went on an inspiring four month trip through South East Asia, something I’ve always wanted to do in my life. With all the sketches and pictures I made in Asia I started as soon as I came back to convert them into illustrations and started my own company: Dollhouse Fashion Illustrations.
FASHION STUDIO: Where do you get your inspiration from?
ANNA: Mainly, I am inspired by the female figure and her world. I find inspiration in a wide variety of places. Many images are crossing my eye every day on the streets of Barcelona; I find inspiration at my doorstep. But also in magazines, blogs, prints, organic textures, patterns, a beautiful picture or song, unique style/clothing-combinations, and runway shows. All above brings the urge in me to mix the inspiration and convert it into a lovely drawing.
But it was my trip to Asia that inspired me so much that I finally decided to start for real as a fashion illustrator. When I was there, I was all the time sketching and making pictures of people, flowers, and details of architecture in temples as well as ancient Asian illustrations.
FASHION STUDIO: How do you create your illustrations? What tools do you use?
ANNA: I make a big cup of coffee, check my email, my Facebook Fan Page, then I get my task list in order. I’ll start normally with my closest deadline, using client photos or reference I’ve found and collected. I always like to experiment so the process is never really the same. For the sketches I use ink and/or pencils. Then I color the illustration digitally and I shade and illuminate with digital brushes the drawing in Illustrator and Photoshop.
FASHION STUDIO: What would you like to achieve in fashion?
ANNA: I just want to keep doing what I love - drawing all day, expanding my audience, working on challenging and fun projects, collaborating with inspiring artists, having gallery shows, and much more…
FASHION STUDIO: Which fashion designers do you admire?
ANNA: Anything with a whimsical quirk, a strong, elegant but dolly look will catch my eye. I love the designs of Yves St. Laurent, D&G, Gucci, Dior, and Marc Jacobs. But what I love to do is picking various elements from known and up-and-coming designers and create a unique dollhouse look.
FASHION STUDIO: How would you describe your wardrobe and personal style?
ANNA: My style can best be defined as a mix and match of different styles, mostly a mix of vintage styles (40's until the 80's) with a modern/fresh touch. My dollies reflect my favorite style and wardrobe.
FASHION STUDIO: What does the word 'beauty' mean to you?
ANNA: Beauty is everything. Whether it is nature, art or our day-to-day lives. Things are filled with beauty, even if it’s only a small fiber. I find beauty in the oddest things sometimes, but that just adds to it.
FASHION STUDIO: Which projects are you currently working on?
ANNA: I’m currently working on some Illustrations for a fashion-comic for a great magazine. I’ve never done a comic before so I’m quite excited. I’m working on an illustration for another magazine, making some illustrations for a Designer's Lookbook and creating Illustrations for an exhibition in December. I’m collaborating with a shoe label, by creating some illustrations for their expo event.
You can keep up with my new work and what I’m up to on my Facebook Fan Page. I post projects as I do them or after they’ve been published for their intended use.
FASHION STUDIO: Thank you and good luck with your plans.
All artwork by Anna Bours
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