Sketching in Style: Through the Eyes of a Fashion Illustrator
Photo Courtesy of Lauren Pearson
Lauren Pearson has a very busy schedule as an artist working in the fashion industry. She wakes up and doesn’t waste a second starting her routine with a workout or a walk with her dog; she clocks in for the day by 8:30 a.m. Working from home, she connects with clients and business partners to discuss custom commissions. She has worked on paintings, book covers, fashion sketches, and wedding designs. In the afternoon to evening, she meets with clients and attends events where she works on live paintings.
Pearson started her fashion illustration journey at George Brown, then later transferred into a Bachelor of Commerce program, which she graduated from. Eventually, she came back to her passion and started sharing her art on Instagram and collaborated with a fashion magazine, which then kick-started her career.
“I was tasked with capturing collections from fashion week to be featured alongside show reviews. Another example is the Cashmere Fashion Show, where designers sent me rough sketches that I turned into detailed illustrations for the public to view and vote on before the show,” she says.
Photo Courtesy of Lauren Pearson
Additionally, Pearson has some core memories creating a custom piece for Estée Lauder, and another one for MLSE during the playoffs. Working as a fashion illustrator, she has collaborated with many iconic brands like Cartier and Holt Renfrew. She explains that capturing various designer collections through mediums of water colours, Copic markers, and even Procreate for online use, is her favourite part of her job.
In order to replicate textures and movement within garments while painting live, she starts with a simple foundation and colour scheme of an outfit, before adding finer details later. With commissions, she uses acrylic based materials to capture finer features.
“Since I primarily work on custom projects, my style remains consistent but adaptable depending on the client. I find inspiration everywhere. When I travel, I always have my camera with me, and I keep folders on my phone, Instagram, and Pinterest filled with visuals and ideas to revisit whenever I need a creative boost,” says Pearson.
Photo Courtesy of Lauren Pearson
In addition to commissions, she has also become a mentor through art workshops. From customized candles to painting on a canvas, Pearson has collaborated with Staples and Nespresso at events where she was able to engage with a broader audience through these fun activities. She finds that it’s a great way to connect with more people in a low-stress environment.
Photo Courtesy of Lauren Pearson
In a world where AI (Artificial Intelligence) art is becoming more popular, Pearson believes that nothing will ever replace something beautiful created by a real person—there will always be an irreplaceable demand for it.
“I think human connection will be more important than ever. Fashion illustration will always have a place as entertainment and concept creation, but I see huge value in using it to connect with people—whether through in-person events or teaching.”
Author: Daria Orth
