Derek Cardigan

Oh hi there!

2011-11-11T15:31:00.001-08:00

Hello all,

Long time no draw. Life has kinda been turned upside down for me and a lot of things have changed in the last 6 months. I haven't had much time to doodle and so I've been sadly neglecting my poor little blog. I'm hoping to change that and get back into drawing. Here's my latest doodle. LV's Fall 2011 girls. When I first saw the show, I knew right away that the clothes would be so much fun to draw. I feel the same way about the sugary sweet Spring 2012 collection. It's a great contrast from fall's sexy s&m look.

First Fashion Show

2011-03-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

On my recent trip to Paris, my friend Janelle (incredible illustrator of http://janelleburger.tumblr.com/ and photographer) got me into the Elie Saab show. My first real fashion show EVER! I'm saying *real* because we've all been to someone's graduate fashion show or mall fashion show with cheesy model poses and bad clothes. A terrible experience for all. But this show was the exact opposite of all that. It was beautiful, sparkly and EXCITING!

I got in with a photographer's pass so we were supposed to go to that very intimidating photographer's pit where a wall of photographers take pictures of the models. We didn't really feel like standing there for the whole time so we instead stood in the back of rows of seats. A great vantage point to see all the fashionable people and some not so fashionable people. One of the fashionable people was Chinese actress and pop star Fan Bing Bing. She dressed in what I called a 'sparkly condom' since it was all nude tones with sequins. She was a very beautiful sparkly condom though. The photographers went crazy for her taking her photo for at least 3 minutes straight.

There were two empty seats in front of us and it seemed that no one was coming to claim them. We didn't want to be rude and just sit down so we waited until the show started. Just before the lights went down, this older couple asked if we were going to use the seats. Without hesitation I said, "We're intending to!" and sat down. Ha! A few moments after sitting down, the show started (half an hour after it was supposed to). A hush fell on the room and everyone's cell phones came out and pointed to the direction of the runway. It was kinda like a concert when people bring out their lighters during a song. Instead it was to take pictures and video of the first look. At this time, I myself had my camera out documenting the whole experience but I just had to stop for a moment and really take it in. I WAS SITTING IN A FASHION SHOW IN PARIS!

The show starts and the first model walks down the runway. I always knew the models walked differently on the runway but in real life it looked really weird! They walked with their chest out, shoulders back and took very long strides down the runway. This all sounds ok but seeing it looked really not normal! Is that just me? Either way, they looked like very elegant giraffes. A really funny thing that happened was when Anja Rubik decided to only walk halfway down the runway. The wall of photographers booed her very loudly! I was so surprised! I thought fashion shows were quiet, mass-like situations. As she made her turn, you can see her smirking. Ha! After that, 3 models only walked half way too and the photographers continued to boo! The girl who finally broke that bitchy streak was new comer Arizona Muse (who is very pretty in real life! but like that's a shock).

As for the clothes, I really enjoyed those sparkly numbers. He loves that sparkle, doesn't he?

I never really paid much attention to Elie Saab before. All I knew of him was that he created Halle Berry's Oscar dress and MIla Kunis' recent Oscar dress. I kinda thought of him as a 'red carpet designer' but after seeing the show he actually made really beautiful and elegant day wear. I also loved those architectural gold neck pieces.

For me, the most exciting part of the show happened after the show. We also had backstage passes so we made our way backstage. Unfortunately all the models were at a separate closed area changing out of their dresses and we were unable to take candid pictures of them. So we waited near the doorway just before the entrance where there were a SEA of on lookers and street photogs waiting to take their pictures. I was lucky that I didn't have to compete with those guys because a lot of them seemed kinda vicious! For the most part, a lot of the models and celebrities were very gracious in having their picture taken. I had a really big Fujifilm Instant camera so maybe that peaked their interest and thought that I was a credible photographer who knew what he was doing. Karlie Kloss was very sweet and actually stopped and posed for me. I asked Abbey Lee for a picture and right away she stopped, posed like a rockstar and went on her way (she is so cool and she knows it). Daisy Lowe was very sweet and gave me a big grin! My favourite was Magdalena. She gave me various poses and I couldn't even keep up because my camera uses instant film! It needs to eject the picture before I could take another one! But she gave me one of my best shots of my trip.

Magdalena
Daisy Lowe
Abbey Lee
Karlie Kloss
Candice Swanepoel
Anja Rubik

Fan Bing Bing aka Sparkly Condom Woman

This whole experience was so amazing. Seeing the clothes and the models in real life was really just a dream come true for me. I can now check 'Attend a REAL fashion show' off my bucket list!

-Derek

PS: Though she wasn't at the show, I ran into Leigh Lezark on the same day at the ChanelxColette pop-up store. Super pretty and nice too!

Vacation

2011-02-27T13:46:00.001-08:00

Hey ya'll,

Just wanted to let you guys know that I'll be away on vacation in Milan and Paris until March 16th. Please note that my Etsy will be on hiatus until then.

Does anyone have any suggestions for places I must see while I'm there?

Also, thoughts on the new Fall Winter 2011 collections? I'm currently in love with Marc, Jason Wu, Rodarte, Fendi, Prada, Bottega Veneta and Jil Sander. Raf is on an amazing streak right now!

See you guys soon!

-Derek

Dot Dot Dot

2011-02-27T13:33:00.001-08:00

Another fantastic collection from Marc Jacobs. Loved the contrast of the rigorous tailoring and the whimsical dots! It reminded me of those sweaters he did with the polka-dots and smiley faces back in the 80's. I think it was when he was in Parsons...maybe his graduate collection?

UP5

2011-02-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

My friend Danielle opened up a spa in town recently and she invited me over to have my first facial! She gave me this thing called an “UP5” facial that used this very foreign looking contraption (see below). I have to say it felt like an alien cyborg was doing something weird to my face but at the end my face felt very smooth and baby’s bottom like. Officially, this is what an UP5 facial does…

“Promote collagen, firming, and lifting of the epidermis with our state-of-the art Up5 machine as it restores a youthful glow and vitality, feeding your skin nutrients through our cellular repairing deluxe facial, complete with European massage techniques to revitalize tired-looking skin.”

Doesn't it look like something Seven of Nine uses in her private time? FYI that's a Star Trek reference.

For a nice facial and other relaxing spa treatments, get thee to Lady Orchid Spa!
117 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
604) 569-0813
www.ladyorchidspa.com

Prada SS2011 Video Campaign

2011-01-23T11:08:00.000-08:00

Just saw the Prada video campaign and behind the scenes feature. So bright and colorful and HAPPY! It makes me want to wear happy stripes for the summer. But I have to say, I enjoyed the womens show much better than the mens. The mens show looked too much like it consisted of really ugly hospital scrubs. For case in point, look at picture below. I mean, CAMMON!

But you know what, I actually kinda liked the platform brogues. Maybe it's just my desire to be taller. Thoughts?

Kitsune SS 2011 "Reporter"

2011-01-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

Look, it's a BATTLE! Check out this super cute Kitsune SS 2011 "Reporter" video. Great clothes, great songs! Win Win!

Astro-girls

2011-01-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

I've finally had some time to do some illustrations this weekend and this is what I came up with. This Courrèges/Cardin inspired collection by Marc Jacobs has always been a fave of mine and I thought it was time do something with it.

Other things I did with my extra time was watch the "Picture Me" doc by Sara ZIff. It was really interesting just to see the kinds of things models go through. We all think that they're the luckiest girls to be featured in such glamorous glossies but in many ways, a models life can be very empty. If you're interested, here's a link for the movie.

http://www.putlocker.com/file/2DID60EP2RWGO00W

Till next time!

-Derek

TOM FORD S/S 2011

2011-01-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

Finally a video of the show have finally surfaced and I absolutely love it! I think the sexiness that Tom Ford is known for is still there but I feel it's much more sensual now and maybe not so overt. The stand out pieces for me were all the fringe frocks and sequined dresses. I also love that draped white trench on Anja. Very reminiscent of one of the coats from my favourite YSL collection of his from Fall 2003.

And how amazing was Beyonce in the show? An absolute GODDESS!

Galaxy Dress

2010-12-26T21:51:00.000-08:00

I'm posting this illustration now since this was a commissioned piece for a Christmas present. Now that Christmas is over, I think it would be safe to put up.

In other news, I bought that Marc Jacobs book of Amazon and they said it will arrive this week! So fingers crossed! I also saw on Amazon two dvds I want to buy...

"Christian Dior, the Man Behind the Myth"

and "Chanel, Chanel" Arthaus documentary DVD featuring Karl Lagerfeld

Has anyone seen these docs?

Online Shopping and other things.

2010-12-02T21:04:00.001-08:00

For the people who don't live in Canada, Chapters is our big book store chain. I ordered the Juergen Teller book of Marc Jacobs ads 5 weeks ago and waited patiently for 5 weeks only to get an email saying it was out of stock. They couldn't tell me that sooner?! Now they said they're going to try and "find it" for me. Sure Chapters.Indigo.Ca...sure.

In other online shopping news, I ordered for the first time from yesstyle.com (this online store of clothes from korea, japan etc) last week and my order has shipped! Yay! It's my xmas present for the hubby. I should be getting it next week! At first I didn't like online shopping because I couldn't try it on but I actually don't mind it now. I love getting packages in the mail!

Oh! I saw some Lanvin X H&M stuff in real life. The womens looked way better than the men. The mens trench that I wanted looked lack lustre in real life. Thank god I didn't line it for it. I did it for the Comme collabo and that was a mistake. Never again!

And now for my song of the moment... I present ROBYN.

Fashion Muse

2010-10-17T16:26:00.001-07:00

One my ultimate fashion muses, Ms Anna Dello Russo. Fearless, eclectic and always glamorous.

*Illustrated with her cute dog, Cucciolina.

Derek Cardigan + Etsy = Yay!

2010-10-04T20:08:00.000-07:00

Come and see at http://www.etsy.com/shop/derekcardigan

Dancing in Prada

2010-10-04T19:59:00.000-07:00

I loved all the juicy color in Prada! So vibrant and perfect for summer! I also love the Josephine Baker reference hence my Josephine-esque girls!

Ms Dior Take 2

2010-09-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

I added another girl to the illustration and I think she looks pretty tranny-like! I don't know if that's' a good thing... Well I mean a lot of couture looks pretty tranny anyway. All that sequin and taffeta etc.

Do you guys like this with the other girl?

Here's the rough draft of my drawings. There's actually supposed to be a third girl but I don't know if she works for the composition...

Ms Dior

2010-09-24T21:37:00.001-07:00

My favourite couture collection from John Galliano of recent years. I'm planning to illustrate other looks from this collection but I thought I would put this up now since I haven't uploaded in a while.

In other news, is anyone watching Australia's Next Top Model? It is seriously the BEST out of all the Top Model shows. The girls actually look like models and not like mall rats. I'm rooting for Amanda!

Balenciaga Redo

2010-09-04T15:54:00.001-07:00

Tandem Bike

2010-08-09T23:58:00.000-07:00

Balenciaga Bunny

2010-08-02T10:53:00.000-07:00

This Balenciaga SS 2008 collection has to be one of my favourites from Nicolas Ghesquière. The intensity of the colors, the amazing silhouette, the gladiator sandals (wasn't he the first to put them on the runway?) --- A-mazing!

When I saw Julia Frakes wear this dress to a Christian Lacroix couture show I instantly fell in love! She made this dress so young and youthful with her red bow headband and bright smile! I hope you guys like it!

Dream Girl

2010-08-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

I thought I would illustrate something kinda different this time. Not a total look from the runway but instead style a girl in my favourite designer pieces. My dream girl today is wearing a Louis Vuitton FW 04 coat, a royal blue Hermes Kelly bag, knee length socks, mary janes and some sunnies. I think she looks pretty cute!

Marc's OZ

2010-07-26T00:56:00.001-07:00

Tea Time

2010-07-24T13:31:00.001-07:00

Gossip Girls

2010-07-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

I've always loved the silhouette of the LV Fall 2010 show. It reminds me of when I was a 5 year old child drawing Cinderella in her ball gown. I went to an all boys school and I remember everyone would draw cars with crazy tires, lights etc. and I would instead draw girls in ballgowns. I guess some things never change!

Prom Date

2010-07-12T22:55:00.001-07:00

Kate and Laura Mulleavy mentioned that they were inspired by the inside of C3PO for this collection. I thought it would be cute if maybe C3PO took a girl out for a date wearing Rodarte. But then I remembered, isn't he gay? Hence his boredom with the girl in this illustration. He's probably talking to R2D2 on the phone.

Lanvin BFFS

2010-07-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do the leopard dresses from this collection because they were my favourite. But after looking over the collection again, I think the dresses with the sequin appliques were the most interesting and beautiful. I love that some of the appliques look like they were falling off.

Meow Meow (Get it? It sounds like Miu Miu but in cat speak.)

2010-07-08T21:37:00.000-07:00

So who didn't love this Miu Miu collection? The cats, naked women, flowers, wedges, long braid à la alex wang... this is the kind of clothes you just want to roll around in a field of daises in! As for the poses in the illustration, I was trying to make them cat poses but they ended being a bunny pose and dog pose. But you get the point, right?

Ultimate Fashion Showdown!

2010-07-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

What do you prefer? The ultra feminine "New Look" by Dior? Or the elegant and classic Chanel suit? I can't choose myself. I love the feminine lines of Dior's new look and I love the modern elegance of the Chanel suit.

It's always interesting a man designer's vision of a woman compared to a woman designer's vision. Dior's new look shows a traditional woman ideal: breasts, small waist, big hips. Chanel's suit shows a more modern woman who takes her sexuality in her own hands.

John Galliano Spring Summer 2008

2010-06-28T22:24:00.001-07:00

There were so many amazing looks from this collection that I could have drawn them all! But I decided to go with these two just because I wanted to illustrate chiffon with sequins. Ha!

BlogLovin

2010-06-28T22:21:00.001-07:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Marc Jacobs Spring Summer 2009

2010-06-26T18:54:00.000-07:00

I recently took a class on Adobe Illustrator and I made the collection below my illustration project. I always found Adobe Illustrator to be very intimidating but after finally learning it, it is SO MUCH FUN! I've always wanted to draw this collection but all the plaids and stripes scared me. But doing on Illustrator was such a pleasure! I think I'm going to tackle so John Galliano collections next.

Marc Jacobs Spring Summer 2007

2010-06-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

I watched the Marc Jacobs x Louis Vuitton doc for the umpteenth time again. His namesake collection is so dreamy and fresh. What I imagine little nymphs would be dressed in. Below are three versions of the same illustration. I couldn't choose which color I liked the best so I put up all three. I normally do a group of 2 or 3 girls but there were so many amazing looks from this show that I decided to do more.

Which Marc Jacobs girl are you?

2010-04-29T16:07:00.001-07:00

The Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 collections were among my favourites of the season. I like how the MJ girl is more paired down but still absolutely beautiful in a simple way and the LV girl is just as beautiful in a more classic, feminine way. I can't get enough of both of them!

RIP ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

2010-02-11T07:43:00.001-08:00

Alex Wang take 2

2010-01-30T16:21:00.000-08:00

After doing "The Gossip" illustration, I thought of redoing the "Alex Wang" girls in the same style. I'm not quite sure if I like it but here it is anyway.

The Gossip

2010-01-10T14:17:00.000-08:00

Alex Wang

2010-01-05T22:07:00.000-08:00

I saw this picture and saw Hanne (yeah, we're on first name basis now) posing like that. It just made me think of all the girls (and boys) I see on those personal style blogs posing like that. Some with one hand on the hip, one knee turned in. Other with two hands on the hip, one knee turned in. I looked further into this phenomenon and found this woman, Chita Johnson.

pose with hands behind back -- powered by eHow.com

My favourite line? "...clothes are designed for a broad to narrow shape. So in catalogue print, you're gonna notice that all clothes look so much better when you do pose number #3."

---Oh! Now I get it. I'm gonna be posing like that all the time now! Thanks Chita! This spurred me onto my illustration of the week!

Blog Love

2009-12-30T23:16:00.000-08:00

A big thanks to Florrie for writing about my little blog! You can see her post here...

http://intrinsicallyflorrie.blogspot.com/2009/12/in-focus-derek-cardigan.html

Isabella Blow

2009-12-27T18:00:00.001-08:00

One of my all time favourite muses, Isabella Blow. When I used to watch FashionFile, I would see her being interviewed by Tim Blanks and I would be completely intrigued by this woman. Her way of dress just had a sort of whimsy and glamour that I have never seen before. And of course her hats were the cherry on top. Amazing.

PS: There's this great video about Isabella from FashionTelevision but there's no embedded link so I pasted it below.

http://watch.fashiontelevision.com/features/clip98943#clip98943

Fashion Monsters

2009-12-07T19:57:00.000-08:00

When I first saw this collection, it was hard for me to imagine for these clothes to actually translate in real life. Then I think it was Anna Del Russo or someone else wore that hairy pink coat and I got it. It's the women who have fashion breakfast, lunch and dinner who actually wear these clothes in real life and make it look even more amazing. I love the almost sinister look of these clothes. The pink is so aggressive and the silhouettes are so intimidating. It made me think of Cruella de Vil from Disney's 101 Dalmations and what her wardrobe might look like.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 09

2009-12-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

I'm working on another illustration with looks from this collection. Next one will be "Fashion Monsters". I've been listening to Lady Gaga a LOT!

Did it anyway...

2009-11-24T23:23:00.001-08:00

I finished it anyway. I don't mind how it looks... all the color combinations look like a Frida Khalo skirt or something.

Not working out

2009-11-24T17:30:00.001-08:00

I've started this drawing but I don't really like where it's ending up. I've colored most of it in already but something about the color combinations is not working out for me. I still want to do the LV bunnies but I'm thinking of taking it on another direction. We'll see what happens..

PS: I got my books! Yay!

Save Luella

2009-11-18T19:53:00.000-08:00

The news of Luella losing their financiers or whatever I don't even know... is so terrible! If I was a girl, I would buy all the Luella I could get my hands on. Since I'm not a girl, I did the second best thing. I drew girls in Luella!

God save Luella!

The Dangers of Online Shopping

2009-11-14T17:25:00.001-08:00

I'm sometimes scared of the Internet. It's not a tangible world. Cyber space seems like a dark, mysterious underworld where there are dangers lurking in every corner. This is especially true in those chat rooms where perverts ask you to do dirty things. Thank god for the show "To Catch a Predator" to document their devious acts. My favourite episode was the one with that asian guy. He said the reason he came over to the girl's house was because he was lonely and he made a sad face and rested his chin on his hand like someone just stile his marbles. Bhahahaha! Here's the clip below.

Anyway, the danger of the internet that I wanted to talk about was ONLINE SHOPPING! I normally just window shop sites online for clothes and come up with fantasy outfits, "Oh this would look good with that jacket from Opening Ceremony and those Dries shoes from Browns." But never do I actually buy. I'm too scared that it will get lost in the mail and some guy in Idaho will get it and give it to his girlfriend thinking they're women's shoes. Also, I always want to try things on to make sure I like the fit and proportion on me since I'm a short lad. But finally last night, I took the plunge. No, I didn't buy clothes, shoes or accessories. I bought books!

I've been eyeing the Richard Avedon 1944-2000 book for sometime because I adore his fashion pictures. Funny Face is one of my favourite fashion movies. I mostly skip through the boring stuff and just get to the part where Fred Astaire takes pictures of Audrey Hepburn.

I also purchased the Tom Ford book. Documenting his time in Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. I can't to start drawing all those sexy ladies from the Tom Ford ero of both houses. There's be lots of hair, lots of shoes, lots of bags, lots of colour, lots of FASHION! Exciting!

Now I just have to wait 2 weeks for it to be delivered to me. Sigh. That's the only bad thing about online shopping is you have to wait for it. Oh, the other bad thing is that it doesn't feel real! No one took my credit card from me and swiped it through the machine and no receipt came out saying "You're out of money now". Normally when I go out shopping, handing that piece of plastic over is the most exhilarating part because it meant that my purchase is now forever mine and also I just spent a crap loud of money to get it.

Next online book purchase...

Stay tuned!

Miu Miu

2009-11-13T23:16:00.000-08:00

From one of my favourite Miu Miu collections. The pattern on the dresses always reminded me of the word explosions from batman or something.

lookbook guy brings flowers

2009-11-11T20:30:00.001-08:00

I saw this guy in lookbook a long time ago and have been wanting to draw him for sometime. I finally did it!

Balenciaga Police Men

2009-11-10T22:41:00.000-08:00

Sick Day

2009-11-09T22:15:00.000-08:00

Stayed home sick from work today. Drew this.

I've always liked this Marc by Marc coat from F/W 2004. But seeing this runway picture reminded me about Heather Marks. Where is she now a days?

Marc Jacobs

2009-11-08T14:39:00.001-08:00

I think what made me start loving fashion was Marc Jacobs. Actually, that's not true. It was FashionFile with Tim Blanks(I don't like that new guy that's on the show. He's made it too "US Weekly"). I saw Tim Blanks a few months ago at the Sartorialist signing in Liberty and I just about died. I actually stopped breathing for a moment because I could not believe I was standing beside the man who brought fashion into my life via television and sparked a life long obsession. Well him and Jeannie Becker who I also love!

Anyway! I got sidetracked there for a moment. So back to Marc Jacobs. Yeah, I think it was his Spring Summer 2003 collection that had the pastel cardigans, pencil skirts and tweeds that made me really pay attention and realize that fashion can be very alluring without being overtly sexy. This Spring Summer 2004 was equally alluring and beautiful. I especially loved those little sparkly dresses that looked like the hem was falling off.

Here's a little something I drew with that collection in mind. That and that "Karl Who" bag.

Chloe

2009-11-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

I have always loved Spring Summer 07 collection from Chloe. Even though it wasn't designed by Pheobe Philo, I thought it still fit the image she created for the brand before she left.

I put these three together and I think it turned out quite well. They look like they're having a nice gossiping session. SCANDALOUS! Does anyone remember the show "Recess"? Oh how I loved the Ashleys.

New Start

2009-11-08T13:02:00.001-08:00

Since I graduated from animation school, I have not picked up a pencil to draw. I think it's partly because I was depressed that I couldn't find any work that was related to what I studied. I've decided for myself that this should not discourage me from my dream of becoming an illustrator.

I've always loved to draw. Especially girls in flowy dresses. I think that's because Sleeping Beauty was my favourite film growing up. The part where princess Aurora is dancing in the clouds while her dress magically changed from pink to periwinkle blue made a definite impact on me. While everyone in my school drew cars (I attended an all boys school), I drew princess Aurora or Belle. That obsession of drawing girls in dresses has never left me. Instead now I dress my girls in couture.

So here's to me! A start of something new! A reclaiming of ones self. A fresh new start and it all begins here.

Fishie

2008-11-15T18:48:00.000-08:00

Here's my (very)short film from Vanarts. This is a true story, it happened to me when I was around 5 or so. The colour is really off on youtube.com so I included some stills from the film! Enjoy!

Surrey Bliss

2007-05-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

spring!

2007-04-02T23:04:00.000-07:00

here are some polaroids i took recently. these are pictures of the polaroids.. i have yet to scan them but i'm just excited to put them up. so here they are for now.

i played around with them on my computer to make the colour more intense and the image sharper..
i want to have another one of me in a cherry blossom tree! but i need to get a ladder! fak! but someone did suggest the idea of cutting off a branch! but i might feel bad for doing that.. also get in trouble! =S

everyone loves time lapse films

2007-03-16T01:47:00.001-07:00

Ready, Set, Gold!

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bbq fun

2007-02-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

a picture taken at denises bbq in the summer.

this and that.

2007-01-21T11:29:00.002-08:00

snow globe!

polka dot fun!

polaroids

2007-01-19T18:13:00.001-08:00

ello ello. here are some polaroids to start.