Holly Nichols - Modern Fashion Illustration: Create Trending Stories & Develop a Personal Brand

Ive always loved art, and how it can shape our lives in so many ways.

In college, I had no idea what I was drawing was considered fashion illustration until a professor pointed it out to me. That professor also introduced me to the work of David Downton, an acclaimed fashion illustrator who has worked with Chanel, Dior, Tiffany and other iconic design houses. From there I was hooked on finding a way to marry my two favorite interests: art and fashion. I switched my major to studio art, which taught me skills like traditional figure drawing, color theory and graphic design principles, giving me a foundational understanding of the art concepts that I still use today.

Still, it took me a while to see myself as an artist. After I graduated, I worked in education, as a paraprofessional. I also bartended, and during my breaks, I sketched in my notebook, or on the napkins at the bar. Eventually, around 2013, I took the artwork that had accumulated into a portfolio and started posting it on Instagram, and something surprising happened: People around the world started following me. From New York to London to Australia and beyond, my social media followers grew exponentially.

My social media presence exposed my work to brands and designers whom I greatly admired, as well as people who were interested in buying my whimsical sketches for their homes. At that time, Instagram wasnt leveraged by brands and blogs as it is today. With a little bit of good timing, and a fierce passion for what I do, I was able to grow a significant following within a few months. Suddenly, there was a demand for my artwork that I never expected, and it started to grow organically into a business. The art component comes naturally to me, but I have had to work on and learn the business side of things. Despite the stress and challenges of my work, Im grateful. The Instagram exposure has helped me create a career as a full-time artist.

People seem to have connected with my early art because many of the drawings depicted an idyllic representation of a glamorous life they might wish to have. That idea is also why I personally drew illustrations in that style at firstit was an escape from my otherwise glamour-free life! The figures I drew had exaggerated proportions and were more high fashion than a majority of my work today. My first trip to New York Fashion Week was the most magical thing Ive ever experienced. Seeing a garment catch the wind while on the runway is so different than seeing it on a computer screen. Being backstage with the models and their teams gave me a lens into what makes the front line tick.

It takes plenty of hard work and dedication to achieve success (but its worth every moment!).

Today, my work is always evolving. As Ive expanded my themes and proportions, people say things to me like, I see myself in your girls, or This illustration reminds me of me and my friends. Comments like these are so rewarding because Ive now made it a priority to draw more realistic bodies, hoping more people will be able to see themselves in the drawings. The creativity is still the part of the work I love most. I find the experience of putting pen to paper or stylus to tablet quite meditative and rewarding.

I also love meeting with other artists and discussing their processes, sharing ideas and techniques. While Ive worked with corporate clients like Saks Fifth Avenue, Disney and others, a lot of my followers are aspiring artists curious about my process and learning how they can improve their own work. When people ask me if they need to go to art school to be an illustrator, I say nobut I advise them that art courses certainly helped my understanding and approach to my work. These questions have informed the type of content I create, so a lot of what I share now is educational. My access to arts education has made me an advocate for funding for the arts in schools. With that said, its never too late to learn: With so many great resources online or in print, it is possible to teach yourself art of any kind from home! With social media, its wonderful that artists can connect with one another in ways we never could before.

You can transfer your artwork to any number of forms, from wall hangings to phone cases!

My love for art and sharing my work and experience with others is, in fact, what prompted me to write this book. I believe art is a skill that you can pick up or return to at any time. Focusing on what brings you pleasure is essential to self-care, which we all need now more than ever. With this book, I hope others will be able to discover a genre of art that I love so much and that drives my passion for the creative process.