My take on Chloe Love Story #SaksPOV

I hope you have enjoyed my floral illustrations for Dior and Burberry so far! It's the third week of Saks Glam Gardens and I will be sharing two fashion and beauty looks inspired by Chloé. 

At the Cafe – My Favorite Painting Spot

Chloé's Love Story is undeniably the epitome of a pure, yet sensual floral scent. The first looks was inspired by Chloe's campaign video for Love Story.

The fragrance opens with a radiant orange blossom scent, inspiring me to use some vibrantly coloured flower petals for this look. During my visit to the florist, the brightly coloured yellow and pure white Freesias were first to catch my eye. It is always a joy to work with cheery, bold colours and these flowers happened to be perfect for the look I had in mind.

Playing around with the poses and lines of the fashion figure helps to bring out the desired mood for the look. For this look, the silhouette was drawn to capture the essence of sensuality, gracefulness and the 'expression of a free woman' that embodies Love Story. I especially like the use of a padlock design for the fragrance bottle. It reminds me of Pont Des Arts Bridge in Paris, a true symbol of love and affection.

The second look I created for Chloé was inspired by the Guipure Lace-Trim Silk Chiffon Blouse from Chloe's spring 2015 collection. Mokara Orchids and Purple Eye Asiatic Lilies were used to resemble the bohemian-like patterns of the blouse. Unlike the vibrant and vivid colours I usually work with for my illustrations, these petals have a more muted and somber tone.

To create the illusion of soft ruffles as seen on the blouse, the petals were folded and layered on top of one another. The process of repeatedly folding and layering the petals was quite challenging for me, since the petals were of different sizes. I hope you like the finished look!

Create your own Love Story with Chloé!

Saks Glam Gardens - Dior

The season for flowers is finally here! This spring calls for us to bust on more floral scents and fragrances. Since Christian Dior launched its newest interpretations of ‘Miss Dior’ early last year, I must admit, it has been one of my favorite everyday springtime floral scents. The delicate and light scent of ‘Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet’ exemplifies both youthfulness and modernity, while embodying Dior’s couture spirit. I’ve also fallen in love with the packaging of the bottle. The dainty yet sleek bow around the bottle’s neck truly brings out the girly, yet sophisticated side of Miss Dior. 

This spring I am excited to be partnering with Saks in their Glam Gardens initiative. I’ve always loved working with flowers and this experience has been so surreal. Inspired by the charming ‘Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet’ and Christian Dior’s 2015 Spring/Summer collection, I have created two unique floral looks for #SaksGlamGardens. During my visit to the florist, with my phone and notebook in my hands, I carefully searched and examined the flowers I’ve dedicatedly listed for both the looks.

The first look was created using a full bouquet of Pink Peonies. My inspiration for this piece came from the essence of the ‘Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet’, and the heart of the fragrance, Pink Peonies. I thought they perfectly personify the elegance, charm of an irresistibly beautiful woman donned in the gorgeous fragrance.

Floral Couture in Progress. Photo Credits: HappyPhotoPeople

Each petal was placed overlapping one another to add volume to the gown and represent elegance, sophistication and grace. At the same time, the lightweight petals characterize the delicate, breezy scent of the fragrance.

How do you find the finished look?

The second look I created was inspired by Look #7 of Christian Dior’s Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear Collection. The Christian Dior collection this season has redefined modernity in fashion by borrowing historical references and making it look ‘new’. Since I was illustrating an all-white gown, I’ve decided to work with a variety of flower breeds. White Peonies, Hydrangeas, Damascus and Matthiola petals were used. Using different shades and shapes of white petals helped to bring out the structure of the outfit.

Photo Credits: Olivia Palermo

I thought the white, luscious peony blooms helped signify the soft and sensual scent of ‘Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet’, while providing additional texture to the skirt. 

Layering on the bouquet of Peonies, Hydrangeas, Damascus, and Matthiolas. 

The green buds of the Matthiola flowers helped to accentuate the beautiful detailing of the skirt, while its sophisticated, pure-white blooms brought the rest of the piece to life.

Giving whites some necessary dimension. 

J'adore Dior

Dior’s 2015 Spring/Summer runway looks and ‘Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet’ have given me so much inspiration over the week. I am exceedingly thrilled to share my floral creations with all of you!

Don't forget to stop by Saks New York's Glam Gardens Windows, Photo Credit: Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks New York's Dior window, a gorgeous contrast of metal and flora play perfectly against the vast array of miniature iconic Miss Blooming Bouquet bottles.

I hope you like my floral illustrations! Now, its time to enjoy spring with all these light, heavenly floral scents!

Club Monaco

Time flies when you're having fun. Today, I am excited to share with you my collaboration with Club Monaco. To celebrate Valentines this year, I had the pleasure of guest illustrating for a Media Invite session featuring Club Monaco's Spring/ Summer 2015 Collection.

Neutral, earthy tones characterised Club Monaco's collection this spring. Tailored, clean cuts perfectly encapsulate the timeless classics, which was made trendy with a simple twist. I also loved the versatility of the designs that make it perfect for transitioning from day-to-night, spring-to-summer.

Club Monaco Spring/ Summer 2015.

2015 SS Club Monaco Media Invitees. 

2015 SS Club Monaco Media Invitees. 

The day was spent meeting and illustrating invited guests, which include several fashion personalities, bloggers and editors. It was an utmost pleasure to meet all who attended. Guests were invited to select a Club Monaco outfit from 4 different designs for me to illustrate them in. Embellishments were also added to give a personalised touch to each illustration souvenir.

Here are some of my works from the event,

Grace Ciao Illustrations, inspired by Club Monaco. 

Personalising each illustration for the Invited Guests. 

Group shot with Club Monaco's invited guests, who just received the illustration souvenirs. 

On a separate occasion, I was also invited as a guest illustrator to their flagship store at Ngee Ann City. The experience was truly an amazing one for me.

Not only has Club Monaco blown me away with their trendy, yet understated designs, but they have also recently launched their own Digital Lookbook. The perfect photography and clean designs never fail to inspire me.

To end off this post, I present you a quote from Club Monaco, "Get Inspired, by what Inspires Us". Always stay inspired and never give up!

Photo Credits: Uniform

Style by Petals

Transitioning into fall, it is with great excitement that i share with you my collaboration with 313@somerset.

This season brings with it new opportunities for me to share my work with all of you in my very own exhibition! This time, my flower illustrations feature stunning pieces inspired by the fall collections of  Zara, Forever 21, and Mango, amongst others.

Last Monday, I had the privilege of unveiling my illustrations and sharing the inspirations behind my pieces during the launch of the Fall Campaign.

For my illustrations, the florals used were hand picked to emulate a more muted colour palette that represented fall. In contrast to my usual illustrations, the earth-toned blooms brought upon a mellower, warmer harmony to the dresses. It was such an experience for me recreating these fall pieces!

Aside showcasing my illustrations, guests were invited to a special petal-art workshop I held during the campaign. I've always enjoyed sharing my greatest passion and it was truly rewarding to see everyone attentively learning and exploring fashion illustration during the workshop!

Some visuals of the session...

And so, the workshop commences! 

It was so enjoyable adding to your ideas and creativity! Stay inspired!

I had so much fun inspiring others and getting inspired myself!

If you'd like to watch me illustrate using flowers, you're welcomed to drop by at 2 p.m. on the 5th and 12th of October! It'll be great to meet all of you!

Here's a sneak preview into a live demonstration of my flower illustrations:

It was a joy being part of the Fall Campaign by 313@somerset, thanks for having me!

I hope you like my work from Style by Petals, talk to you soon!