M: Hi Laura, it is my honor to feature you on Swide this week! Can you please let me know what made you want to become a fashion illustrator? Were you under any formal training or self taught yourself to become an illustrator?

L: I studied Illustration at university and I have always loved fashion. It never really occurred to me that I could put the two together until my final year when I came across the amazing David Downton. I just loved his work so much and I strived to find my own style of fashion illustration. Fashion is the only subject that I am so passionate about to draw, as I love fashion just as much as I love illustration. Fashion is so inspiring so it makes the ideas flow so easily!

M: I always think fashion and illustration are the perfect combination and this is probably the reason why I am constantly looking for unique fashion illustrators. I am glad I have found you. So, what 3 adjectives will be best to describe your illustration style? Why?

L: Soft and Romantic- I think the detailed pencil faces in the soft colours give a light, romantic look.

Stylish- Each girl is very stylish, wearing the best fashion from the high street shops, catwalk and my mind!

Glamorous- I think my girls tend to come out quite glamorous as they have a confident attitude and love the clothes they are wearing.

M: The above 3 adjectives you use to describe your works are also what I have in mind. As you said, the girls you illustrated each has her own personality and attitude, are these girls based on someone you know or some strangers you have observed on the street?

L: So embarrassing to admit but some are based on myself posing in the mirror in my favourite outfits. : ) Some are based on images from fashion magazines, websites. I have hundreds of fashion magazines as they are my main inspiration!

M: Now I am going to assume some of your illustrations are actually your self-portraits. All I have to say is, they are very pretty! Out of all the illustrations you have done so far, which 3 pieces are your top favorites?

L: Usually my favourite is the last piece I create, as I'm a bit of a perfectionist and always want to improve on what I have done before! That being said, at the moment I like the piece entitled Colette (featuring beautiful jewellery pieces from the Australian accessory shop, Colette Accesories). I also have a soft spot for Love Heart I and II (the "burlesquey" style images with the red inky hair) as these were two last minute entries I submitted to an exhibition in London, and I was really pleased with them. The girls are so sexy and striking with heaps of attitude and I sold one of them. It was sad to see her go! : )

M: I love the Love Heart I and II as they somehow remind me of Rihanna. Last but not least, if you could create an illustration for Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2011 collection, which dress would you choose and how would the image look like?

L: I am so inspired by the BEAUTIFUL airy blue and star print dress. It is stunning!! I can imagine a really high glam female, swishing the dress around so it fills almost the whole page and her expression should be confident and almost arrogant because she knows this dress makes her look great. I have illustrated it out for you here and I hope you like it!

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Credits - Laura Wesson