When did you first get into drawing?

Drawing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, I have early childhood memories of pleasing my teacher with a painting and also drawing all over the walls at home - much to my mother’s distress! I later attended Art School where I continued to develop my hand via lots of drawing, life classes, mixed media approaches and professional experiences.

Why did you choose to make fashion part of your inspiration?

Along with drawing, I would say I have been attuned with fashion and clothing early on in my life, but I never made a conscious decision to align my creative practice to it, it just happened. I would say my mentors led me on this path from the early days of Art School and then my interests in the fashion industry as a whole grew from there, drawing and designing prints for fashion when I moved to New York, as part of this I would immerse myself in editorials and runway shoots as well as enjoying viewing collections in Barneys. 

What is your particular working day as a creative? 

My day tends to start with checking emails, admin and research, setting up thoughts for projects, open calls and personal work, I also work as a lecturer which consumes half the week. I tend to work on illustrations at night, it’s when I can clear my head and focus. After gathering my inspiration, I work quite quickly, which is a result of working to tight deadlines for years.

What tools do you use when creating your images? 

Generally, my process is a hybrid of hand and digital methods, I start with pencil and paper, sometimes an ink sketch as well as ink washes and textures as backgrounds and infills. Then after scanning I continue to render and colour using Photoshop to complete the illustration. I find the freedom of combining both the haptic and digital processes exciting, there’s a spontaneity involved through the editing process, I try not to plan the final piece too much and allow for experimentation and surprise.

"Confidence is key, believe in yourself and your aesthetic and others will believe in you too. In addition, don’t shy away from critique, my tutors at university were really tough, and I am so thankful to them as it prepared me for life in the fashion industry."

K.Bailey

What advice do you have for younger artists looking to be part of this industry? Confidence is key, believe in yourself and your aesthetic and others will believe in you too. In addition, don’t shy away from critique, my tutors at university were really tough, and I am so thankful to them as it prepared me life in the fashion industry.

What are you drawing today?

I’m currently working on a set of illustrations for Bvlgari  - a project via FIDA.

What music are you listening to/books are you reading? Favourite artist/designer at the moment? 

I’m listening to Lana Del Rey, Foo Fighters (always!) and currently enjoying a bit of Fleetwood Mac in the car! The designer I always return to is Dries Van Noten, the collections are a constant inspiration be it the colour, pattern or reinvention of archival references. More recently the relaunch of the Schiaparelli brand and avant garde aesthetic under the direction of Daniel Roseberry is truly inspiring. 

My best friend and fellow creatives, enjoy loading me up with books, recent additions are Threads of Life by Clare Hunter and Wheesht by Kate Davies.

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