Favourite: Danielle Meder, Fashion Illustrator
Favourite: Danielle Meder, Fashion Illustrator
Fashion shows are a veritable smorgasbord of people. You have the media, buyers, photographers, sponsors, suits, models, hair & makeup, production, PR, lights, music, security, and a girl live sketching the runway show. Meet Danielle Meder the pen behind gorgeous fashion illustrations and the voice of FinalFashion.ca.
Now, while I have your attention Danielle is hosting a talk at The Drake Hotel this Sunday at 2pm and it is oh so not to be missed. Pourquoi? Because, aside from her artistic talent, Danielle is a leader on trend theorizing and dissecting the current forum of fashion—she also has a way of telling it exactly like it is.
Danielle and I have known each other for several years and on our latest New York fashion week circuit we bumped into one another trying to reheat in a café. While warming ourselves we got to talking and she proceeded to live sketch Taylor Tomasi Hill opposite our seats. I was so taken I thought (lightbult moment) gotta get to her studio asap.
On a cold, snowy Monday in Toronto we met at her Bloor West studio…
1. Hey, Danielle, so how old are you and what do you do?
31, Fashion Illustrator & Trend Theorist
2. When did you fall in love with fashion? precisely ;)
Seven years old… I would go to the oversized books section of the library and take out books on costume and film history, just absorbed by the big glossy pictures of 18th century gowns and 20th century chorus girls in costume.
3. As a fashion illustrator what do you strive to do with each sketch/drawing?
The spontaneous, elegant line. If the lines are right the first time, you only need a few to get the idea across. But it takes constant rehearsal and practice to achieve that sense of effortlessness.
4. Career highlight to date and what is a goal you’re moving towards this year?
Sketching major runway shows in New York on the iPad using Paper by FiftyThree. It was in February of 2012, I had access to designer shows I’d never usually get access to – Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta – and my sketches were displayed in print in Women’s Wear Daily, the same paper that featured so many 20th century illustrators I admire. It was the first time I felt I was participating in the history of my craft.
I had the opportunity to speak about that experience at the Apple Store in Soho this year, and now I’m looking to further develop my speaking skills with an experimental, live-sketching lecture (sketchure?) at The Drake Hotel on March 16th. As an early fashion blogger, and one of the first runway sketch artists, I’m always looking for uncharted territory to challenge myself. Runway sketching has become a bit of a trend now so I’m interested in what’s next.
5. You’ve created a name for yourself with runway sketches, how does this differ from siting down in your studio to create a piece?
It’s almost impossible to achieve the same sense of urgency when I’m sketching in the studio. There’s something about sketching on-site with a very limited amount of time that makes a certain magic happen. But I also love my studio work – it’s awesome to have the time and space to experiment with different materials and processes, and geek out on rendering details for my paper dolls. I feel like the confidence I’ve developed in my live sketching work helps me inject a greater sense of energy into my more labour-intensive pieces.
6. What is your favourite part of the creative process?
I love the variety of my work – it’s not just live sketching, I also do technical drawing and paper dolls and editorial drawing and costume design and sewing. I’m really lucky I don’t have to do the same thing all the time.
7. If you were reincarnated and could do anything you wanted, what would it be?
I think I would like to work in a greenhouse. I’m enjoying learning how to care for plants, and I enjoy the physicality of that work and being around living things in a warm environment.
8. Favorite Canadian designers?
Jeremy Laing is an inspiration both aesthetically and career-wise. He did the graduation address for my year, and I’ve enjoyed following his work since the very beginning.
Adrienne Butikofer of Skinny Sweats was one of my earliest clients and became one of my dearest friends. It’s been a great privilege to see her develop her style and build her business.
9. Favorite Toronto boutiques?
I’m not much of a shopper, I like to make my own clothes or revive Value Village finds. However, I’m really looking forward to getting my new pair of women’s cycling jeans by RYB Denim from YNOT Cycle, and if I had a windfall I’d probably be spending some on Philip Sparks’ womenswear.
10. Dinner spot?
Habits Gastropub at College and Dovercourt. The food is scrumptious, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the service is friendly and fast.
11. Brunch?
Starving Artist at Lansdowne and Bloor – if you like waffles, you’ll love this place. It’s around the corner from my studio and is my go-to business-woman’s brunch spot – way better to go on a weekday, the weekends are a zoo.
12. Drinks?
Fountain at Dundas and Dovercourt. Friendly bartenders and a great place to chat with fellow barflies on those weeknights when you don’t feel like staying in.
13. Dancing?
The Garrison at Dundas and Ossington. They have all sorts of music on different nights, you never know what you’re going to get but it’s always lively, the crowd is young and fun.
14. Favourite spot?
The footbridge that goes over the railway tracks between Dundas West and Wallace Avenue. I climb over it daily on my way to the studio, and I love that I get to enjoy that beautiful panoramic view of my neighbourhood every day.
xo
Thanks Danielle!
Don’t forget to pop over to the talk at The Drake Sunday, March 16th at 2pm.
