manager_1 Fida announced the winners of her 4th Fashion Illustration Drawing Awards via Instagram. It had received over 1000 entries from around the world. David Downton, a master classical fashion illustrator was part of the panel of judges. Shawn Davey, Selfridges’ Art Director, leading contemporary fashion illustrator, Stina Persson, fashion couture illustrator/social media influencer, Eris Tran, and senior designer for Adidas, Shivangi Bhardwaj among others.
Fida was started by Patrick Morgan and Diane Morgan, a husband-wife team, with the shared goal of encouraging best practice among fashion illustrators. It has created a new community for fashion artists in just a few years. Fida members have collaborated recently with Bulgari and Alberta Ferretti as well as Lacoste, London Fashion Week, and Lacoste.
This year, there were four categories. The Classical Award winner displayed skills using traditional media. Submissions could be based on runway, advertising campaigns, photography or personal fashion inspiration. The Avant Garde Award was given to an artist who uses mixed media or combines traditional and new technology. The Nouveau Award recognizes creatives who use only new technologies or software in this uncharted territory. The Fashion Show Award is open to any creative using any media or technique to best portray a runway show, past or present, or behind-the scenes at a fashion show.
Fashion illustration experiences palpable surge in interest, says Downton
Each category winner gets a Fida membership for a year and a place on the Fible, Fida’s Fashion Illustration Bible. This showcases the best contemporary talent and is sent to industry leaders and luxury brands. The overall winner gets 2000 pounds.
“Fashion illustration has many rules today.” Downton stated in a statement that there is a lot of energy, excitement, and a strong surge in interest all around. “Social media has made it easier to access information and have helped level the playing field, although not always raising standards. Some things are constant. Drawing is still the most important aspect of any successful image.”
Betty Southerland was the winner of this Classical Award. Katrin Funcke won the Avant Garde award for her expressive, painterly composition. Kate Nastas claimed the Nouveau category for her elegant Miu Miu editorial illustration. Nadia Coolrista won the Fashion Show award for her striking art using color pencils on black ground. Coolrista was also the Fida Fashion Faces 2020 winner. Katrin Funcke was this year’s overall winner.
John Booth stated, “I found the standard very high with many great examples of individual work and imaginative work.” “It’s great to see so many people still feel passionate about fashion illustration as a vital and exciting form of communication.”
