Eirian is in fashion

Local illustrator Eirian Chapman has been selected to be part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival's Independent Program.

Her exhibition, "All Fur Coat & No Knickers", features fashion illustrations and textile art and runs from February 24 until March 9 at Lamington Drive Gallery in Melbourne.

Locals will know Eirian's artwork from the colourful mural in Olive Justice Place, and she has worked as a commercial illustrator for companies as diverse as Uber, Spotify and Schweppes.

She also created Island Animal cards, showcasing the local wildlife.

Eirian's latest exhibition will showcase a year's worth of fashion illustration and textile art exploring the joy of dressing up and the individualism of style, highlighting the clothing choices we make to express our personality.

Inspired by the late 90's early 00's Japanese street style magazine Fruits, Eirian explores street style through her fashionable friends and people she admires on Instagram.

The exhibition features the illustrated who's who of Melbourne's most stylish folk on the walls of the beautiful inner city gallery Lamington Drive. Dress up for the opening and the best outfit will get their own portrait drawn by Eirian.

Alongside the drawings on paper will hang brightly painted linen canvases transformed into wearable art.

Workshops

Alongside the exhibition, Eirian will lead two-hour street style fashion illustration workshops at the Lamington Drive gallery.

The workshops are aimed at people who love personal style, art and the way clothes are put together.

Participants are encouraged to dress up for the occasion and use themselves as reference. This workshop offers aspiring designers, fashion obsessives, students and would-be illustrators of all skill levels and body types a unique opportunity to learn the art of fashion illustration, receive helpful sketching tips and enjoy the company of stylish people.

"Eirian is one of the most creative people I know when it comes to fashion and her personal style, this is reflected in her inspired fashion illustration too," said Kelly Thompson, illustrator, keynote speaker and style queen.

"She is so fun, knowledgeable, and light-hearted, a class with her would be so relaxed and enjoyable."

Participants will: 

• Gain knowledge of how to capture a person's personality and style on paper
• Explore different drawing techniques to capture the body in movement as well as focusing on different fabrics, textures and patterns
• Spend a fun afternoon experimenting in a casual learning environment.

Students are encouraged to draw from life/reference photos or magazines during the session in which art materials (and refreshments) will be provided. For those wanting to just focus on drawing the outfits, body templates will be supplied for ease of creative expression.

Street Style fashion illustration workshops will be held on: Saturday March 2 and March 9, 2pm to 4pm. Cost $45.

All Fur Coat & No Knickers opening party is on Saturday February 24, from 2pm until 5pm. The exhibition runs until March 9 at Lamington Drive Gallery (52 Budd Street, Collingwood). Opening hours Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 6pm and Saturday 12 noon to 5pm.

See more information via PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival's Independent Programme: melbournefashionfestival.com.au/independent-programme/all-fur-coat-no-knickers