Fashion: Local style icons - as seen by an artist




Spring prompts a fresh take. Captured by Sarah Smart - the Saffron Walden-based fashion, beauty and lifestyle illustrator, who’s worked with every big brand from Apple to Vogue - three local fashion icons share their ‘it’ looks for the season ahead

Sarah Smart - Rachel Allpress, Stoned & Waisted (62933955)
Sarah Smart - Rachel Allpress, Stoned & Waisted (62933955)

Rachel Allpress is the founder of Suffolk-based fashion label Stone & Waisted, known for pieces which balance being on trend with being truly timeless

“A stunning sunflower print in cotton poplin is crafted into our beautiful Anastasia dress. It’s the beautiful details that you will revisit time and time again: fine pleating at the neckline and cuffs, the detachable belt to allow for a more relaxed silhouette. This dress has got it all and will take your wardrobe to a higher level.”

Shop at stonedandwaistedfashion.com and follow @stonedwaisted

Sarah Smart - Rosalind Bown, Bowns (62933956)
Sarah Smart - Rosalind Bown, Bowns (62933956)

Known as “a cornucopia of some of the best names in contemporary fashion” - think Vivienne Westwood, Nicole Farhi, Rupert Sanderson - Rosalind Bown is founder of Cambridge boutique Bowns

Perfect for spring’s fickle weather forecast, liable to bring winter and summer in the same day, this layered look is block-colour dressing at its bright and beautiful best. “The coat is Smythe - a favourite with Kate and Meghan,” says Rosalind, “the skirt is by our German brand Dorothee Schumacher; and the top by our great British designer Margaret Howell.”

Shop at 25 Magdalene Street, Cambridge or bownscambridge.com and follow @bowns_cambridge

Sarah Smart - Emma Paton, Emma Paton Blog (62933954)
Sarah Smart - Emma Paton, Emma Paton Blog (62933954)

With 46,000-and-counting followers on Instagram, Emma Paton is the fashion buyer turned style influencer from Suffolk known for creating content “for anyone who loves colour, fashion and fun interiors”

“I love the Harlin gingham dress by Aligne (via Percy Langley) for spring. The black and white gingham check is such a classic, timeless fabric, yet the dress has its own uniqueness with an asymmetrical hemline that really stood out for me. I also adore the puff sleeves and full skirt, plus it's a dress that can be worn now with a flat chunky boot or hiker boot - like these Grenson Nanettes - or dress it up with a knee-high boot or heel, and wear with sandals when the warm weather arrives.”

Visit emmapatonblog.com and follow @emmapaton__

Meet the Artist

The artist behind the portraits you see on these pages, Sarah Smart talks art, fashion and inspiration with Velvet’s Alice Ryan

Sarah Smart - Credit Terri Pashley Photography (62933953)
Sarah Smart - Credit Terri Pashley Photography (62933953)

Have you always been artistic? And into fashion? How and when did the two passions ignite?

In short, yes! I don't come from a particularly artistic family but I would always be drawing (or reading) as a child and developed a love for drawing people very early on. In my school holidays, I would assist my Auntie on fashion magazine shoots and I got hooked, so I think it was a natural progression to focus my illustrations into the fashion, beauty and lifestyle sector.

Sarah Smart Draws - From the Archive (62933958)
Sarah Smart Draws - From the Archive (62933958)

We're sure it's a long story - these things usually are! - but, in brief, how did you come to combine the two and become a fashion illustrator?

I studied Illustration at uni but for many reasons, I started working in magazines when I left, and worked across all sorts of titles before settling in the fashion and lifestyle sector. I learnt so much that is applicable to both my working ethos and what it is a client wants from an illustrator.

I was always painting in evenings and lunch breaks, so when I was working for LOOK magazine and they needed beauty illustrations for their beauty product launch in Superdrug, I was put forward by the art director. . . and one commission lead to another, until I decided to leave magazines and really focus on my art and illustration.

Sarah Smart Draws - From the Archive (62933959)
Sarah Smart Draws - From the Archive (62933959)

You have a clear artistic 'thumbprint'. How would you describe your style?

Thank you. I'd describe my style as feminine and stylish using a mix of watercolour, inks and digital to bring brands, fashion, people and places to life through illustration. My live event illustration is understandably sketchier and 'more in the moment', as I'm painting someone in less than 10 minutes and I love the adrenaline! However, I love the mix of being able to sit down in my studio and illustrate to a brief in more detail. I started this year painting on a large scale which I loved, so it will be interesting to see where this year takes me and my work.

You've worked for some jaw-dropping brands, not least Harvey Nichols and Vogue. . . Do any collaborations stand out in the memory as being particular milestones?

Being asked to travel out to Paris with Carven to paint live fashion illustrations of guests in the middle of La Galeries Lafayette will always stay with me. And drawing customer portraits live on my iPad for a Today at Apple event with Newton Faulkner in Apple's Covent Garden store was surreal but brilliant.

Sarah Smart Draws - From the Archive (62933957)
Sarah Smart Draws - From the Archive (62933957)

Who's your biggest artistic inspiration? And biggest fashion icon?

My top slot would be Jane Birkin, still beating the trends decades on; I think perhaps my Mum's love for fashion in the 70s must have fuelled my subsequent obsession! This leads into my love of 70s fashion illustrator Hilda Glasgow's work and Rene Grau's work will always be a continued inspiration of mine.

For modern-day fashion icons, Candice Lake, who never gets glamorous wrong, Alexa Chung for her effortless casual style, and I could pore over Jeanette Madsen's wardrobe for days. I get so much artistic inspiration when I'm in cities… and then I like to retreat back to the countryside and let it all sink in!

Sarah is able to bring your brand to life through illustration and live painting, which adds theatre and interest to any event. To find out how Sarah's work could help you stand out, go to sarahsmartdraws.com and follow @sarahsmartdraws


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