The Numbers are in...
I first want to thank all who participated in the promotion this past week. The ballots have been cast and the numbers are in… and the recipients of a Sunflowerman Fashion Synopsis Booklet are the following lovely people (please take the time to view what they do). Jose Lopez-Perez -twitter Amonfocus -Tumblr Pinolomannaro -twitter IAMAMIR1 -twitter Ghoti -Instagram Leslie Yvonne -Facebook ib247_tbre -Instagram mpinkleton -twitter Heather Holyan -Pinterest Christaltoso -Instagram
The response impressed me so that I got off my bum and produced a few more to send off to some lucky folks
Charleyrt -twitter, Instagram marinheii -twitter, Instagram
If you'd like to make your own then you can simply download the pdf Sunflowerman_Booklet
And if you wanted a booklet and didn't get the luck of it you can purchase one for $5 at the Sunflowerman Shop on Etsy.
The Modern Suit is Over 150 Years Old
As a result of being a men's fashion illustrator I find myself delving into the history of men's fashion. I like to know where history can be painted in to each illustration.
Recently I discovered a tidbit of knowledge which was quite interesting. Suits are over 150 years old!
The styling has been variable over the past century and half or so. When Beau Brummel (the man often credited with inventing the modern suit) decided to wear the first hipster pants in the 1800's he was just trying to be different and unique. Who knew that he would start a revolution?
It did help that in the 1600's King Charles the II made a royal change to the dress code of the court. They were to no longer wear the opulent French uniform, but switch to English cuts and fabrics. Politics and environment heavily influenced the change which prepared the way for Brummel.
150 years is still very young in comparison to so many articles of history but the influence it has taken hold of over the world is massive. Nearly every developed nation is marked with the inclusion of the suit in politics and business.
I often wonder at the oddity of lapels and collars, the need to secure a noose around the neck of the shirt and the overall lack of color in men's clothing. Where does the desire for retaining vestigial patterns in clothing come from? The most odd thing about it is that I love it! I truly do love it. I love beautifully cut jackets with a perfectly complimenting shirt. I love ties in all of their absurdity and the craft of a well made pair of shoes.
The joy is confusing. All of the descriptions are particularly arbitrary; 'beautifully cut,' 'perfectly complimenting,' and 'well made.' It must partially be contributed to the suits' symbol of power, but I like to think that it also says something about our past. In the same way an aged wine is born with decades of knowledge and passion I see the modern suit as a sip of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti.
So I continue to illustrate. I continue to paint and create and iterate in the fashion of the bespoke tailors in Savile Row. I see and feel the beauty of men's clothing and fashion and I am excited to participate with everyone in wearing and exhibiting men's fashion.
Men's Fashion Template, Jackets
The next up in the Template series is the Single-Breasted Jacket and the Double-Breasted Jacket.
Please feel free to nab these and use them in whatever way you wish.
The Single-Breasted jacket is one of the single most important facets of a man's wardrobe. It's versatility is unmatched. Wear it to work, to a ball-game, to a reception. Bear in mind that it won't make you the Ball of the Bell, but you are sure to look fine.
It is important to note never to button that bottom button. I know we all have stood in the mirror with all buttons fastened and wondered why. If you are comfortable with your self in a Single-Breasted jacket then heck I say go for it, but also be prepared for a few glaring eyes.
The Double-Breasted jacket is becoming popular again (i.e. Denzel on the cover of GQ). The standard is 4 buttons but there are such a variety of Double-Breasted jackets (2-button, 6-button...), all of which I find valid and beautiful. If you are attempting to play it cool and still class up an event it can't hurt to pull out the 4-button Double-Breasted jacket.
Men's Fashion Template, Shirts
I have been wanting to share something special here for a while. This is the first of several templates I will be releasing here at the Sunflowerman Blog. Please feel free to utilize these (png's) as you wish. Share with a friend.
If you would like access to the illustrator file feel free to contact me on twitter @sunflowermatt
A Collected Gentleman
If you have not heard of A Collected Gentleman yet, please stop and see what is going on with that community (acollectedgentleman.com). The posts are all by one man and focus on several aspects of a creative life. A Collected Gentleman highlights great style with an economical mindset.
"My aim is to show style and self acceptance is priceless and that you can look good without breaking the bank." -A Collected Gentleman
The fashionable mindset is carried through the photography, the styling and even the poetry.
I met Isaiah Johnson (A Collected Gentleman) on twitter. He had inquired about the cost of fashion portraits after eyeing some of my fashion illustrations. We tweeted a bit and below is the result of our conversation.
To have your own Fashion Portrait contact sunflowerman at sunflowermatt@gmail.com
or you can meet sunflowerman on...
instagram- @sunflowerman
twitter- @sunflowermatt
The Book Page Fashion Illustration Photoshoot
Recently I was able to have a ton of fun with the Book Page Fashion Illustrations. I just set out to shoot them together to share the Book Pages as a collective and in their newest form. Some are from the latest Tie + Jacket, the Smokes and London Collections: Hackett series. It has been some time since I had the opportunity to lay them out in this manner and it really took away what breath was in my lungs. The development from the first shoot is tremendous and beautiful (the first shoot). The Fashion Illustrations below are the newest hand painted illustrations in the collection. The majority are now available at Sunflowermanfashion.com. [gallery columns="1" type="rectangular" ids="2334,2335,2336,2337,2338,2339,2340"]
Now take one home by visiting the shop.
Bowyer and Fletcher Fabric Fashion Illustration
Jahmal, from Bowyer and Fletcher contacted me about some Bow Tie artwork for their fine bow tie brand. Bowyer and Fletcher was an early subscriber to the work I have been producing with men's fashion illustration and their support bolstered my confidence entering into this new market. The brand has now grown beyond just bow ties (see the new product) and I am excited to see where else they can expand in the future. I have to say that with this project took some long time to produce anything. I stake claim to the blame for that. Local projects kept finding there way into my days and I neglected the good folks at Bowyer and Fletcher. The wait did allow for the development of a project that had been floating around in my mind for some time.
If you recall the large fabric paintings from the H. Stockton show (in case you missed it) you will know what I am talking about. There, I debuted the large fabric fashion paintings. The reactions were all ecstatic and I knew that along with my overwhelming joy for there creation that this is what I needed to do with Bowyer and Fletcher.
[gallery type="rectangular" ids="2298,2302,2303,2304,2306,2307,2312,2313,2316,2318,2322,2325"]
I am a little disappointed that there is little visual comparison of size but if you are a technical person then knowing that it is approximately 6 feet by 2.5 feet will suffice. Grommets are placed in each corner of the fabric for easy stretching or displaying on walls or in windows or over hand made frames.
Now go check out the good work from our friends at Bowyer and Fletcher.
And see the featured Bow Tie.
Men's Fashion Templates
I started a little project for general use creating Men's Fashion Design Templates. These are the first concepts of many to come. I am hoping to create a wide range of 'specific use' like the templates below and 'general use' for added customizability. Look for free template and vector downloads to be coming soon.
Would it be helpful to see the outlines of the heads?
If you want to see more Men's Fashion Illustrations check out the Illustration Weekly section of the blog.
Illustration Styling, Rashgmaal
Illustration Weekly 5
To kick off the new illustration series at The Follow Fashion I give you Rashgmaal. Rashgmaal is the founder of The Follow Fashion Online Magazine where he provides daily inspiration with links to designers and clothiers all over the web and the world.
This new series will be capturing the fashion icons of our day such as Patrick Grant and Scott Schumann and re-styling them through illustration. Submissions/suggestions of who you think should be included are welcome.
(Read more about this article at TheFollowFashion.com)
-Sunflowerman
instagram- @sunflowerman
twitter- @sunflowermatt
London Collections Men, Hackett
London Fashion Week kicked off the new year and the new look at fashion for 2013. I have taken a look at several of the collections and illustrated them on recycled Sherlock Holmes Short Story Book Pages and are available at the shop
This first look is at the Hackett Collection. The WWD review provides a great rundown of the runway.
Jeremy Hackett took to the crypt of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in east London for his show that was all about the snazzy English gent — the sort who wears a bowler hat to work. Hackett played with traditional men’s wear patterns such as Prince of Wales and windowpane checks, and mixed and layered tailored pieces with patterned knitwear in the form of sweater vests, V-neck pullovers and scarves.
Sold.
The Rake at the shop
The Dapper at the shop
The Dandy at the shop
London Collections Men, 2013… Book Page Fashion Illustrations
London Collections: Men is done and the fashion world has moved on to the next thing (being, Pitti and Milan). Beautiful things have happened with the collections this year and I can't wait to throw my spin on them. In two weeks I will be launching the London Collections Men 2013 Fashion Illustrations at sunflowermanfashion.com.
I will be focusing on five designers from the collection and identifying some of the main items in the collections that stood out to me.
The two sets of images previewed here are from the Matthew Miller Collection and the E. Tautz Collection.
Stay posted for more info about this series.