Two faux product ads created for *Haute Fantastique; a fantasy fashion zine*. My goal was creating independent pieces, each steeped in their own "world" as far as aesthetic and mythos went.
I had a very fun time flexing both my illustration and storytelling muscles; from the "models" and concepts, to the layout, lettering, logos, and the very text itself. I used this zine as an exploratory exercise in lore and thematic design both narratively and graphically.
If you know me you know that I'm a sucker for the romanticized flapper aesthetic; that was the inspiration behind this Seer's sculpted finger waves and giant boa. I wanted the visuals and the diadem design itself to look sleek and luxurious, but slightly organic and curvy; the sharpness of deco meets the swirls of nouveau.
With this ad, I wanted to lean all the way into the typical princess-in-a-tower dreamlike fantasy vibe, and draw from some of my favorite campaigns from my old teen magazines, like the Vera Wang “Princess Revolution” lookbooks. Using various flower elements I've collected over the years and a wonderful watercolor .ai brush from Artifex Forge, I think I pulled it off! (And also had way too much fun coming up with the trope-y names.)
A close up of the mini-illustration from the Diadem ad, in order to show off my attempt at a vintage-inspired, woodcut look.
Some of my #wips, brainstorming, and earlier drafts, courtesy of the exclusive "Behind the Scenes" Ko-Fi donation tier bonus zine!
