Oh Exeter, you birthplace you, home of the wondrous No Guts No Glory. A little shop or home from home, stacked with the most beautiful illustrations, zines, t-shirts, and things you never knew existed, but now that you do, are glad to share a world with (How can you not want to send a wooden postcard-out-of-which-a-tiny-model-robot-girl-can-be-made to someone you very much care for?).

I SHALL BE PLAYING SHOP ON THURSDAY, looking after this wonderful vessel while Nath is off taking resplendent wares to new and strange lands (Birmingham).  By that I mean, please come by the shop (it’s near The Real McCoy on Fore Street).  Stop for a chat and buy many beautiful things (yes, I’m a saleswoman now dontcha know). (I should stop bracketing everything).

The t-shirts, of which I now have two (ici et the bat one below), are equally beautifully illustrated.  Each one screen printed by hand and one of only a few in existence.  Next on my list is a sweater to see me through cold Devon nights, this is (by the way) a never ending list that has seen me through most of what you’ll find in No Guts No Glory.

If you’ve lived a life without zines, don’t panic, and know that help is at hand.  A few quid will keep you in creatively ecstatic pages of illustrated stories and musings.  Yes I did just imply that paper is capable of experiencing joy, but if you could see the ink that adorns them you’d know why.  Am slightly addicted to Jack Teagle’s zine adventures, I’ve been creating something of a library.  And if you’re one for exquisite detail in the surreal then I shall prescribe Phillip Harris.

And who but Nath, with his beardy wisdom, who (when he’s not sat in zen-like contemplation behind his counter) creates the structure for such splendid displays.  I mean that both figuratively and literally, as he is also the maker of the beautiful shop fixtures.  I am of the assumption that his house is nothing but wooden pallets and wood shavings. Who but a man of such lofty ideals and resolute determination could bring such a place into existence?  ’Shop’ is not a word that befits this place, more the eye of a creative community, more No Guts No Glory.

p.s. I created this here gif as an effective form of therapy, or company.  You too can experience his wise words (lip reading may be required) so re-tumble it until the world is a happy place.

p.p.s.  See you on Thursday. x

p.p.p.s. For those further a field there is an online shop where you are welcome to peruse and purchase.

[View with PicLens]

The Way You Drape

You’ll all may be aware that I missed out on seeing this show, my poor invite sits on my desk unused while I’m writing this.  But perhaps it’s a good thing, had I been there I can’t promise that I wouldn’t have stormed the runway to grab that beautiful soft trench (below).  I may be small, but nothing comes between me and the perfect jacket, uhuh!

So I’ve been resigned to looking through the wonderful photos falling in love with stuning colours and silhouettes.  ’I'd wear that in a heartbeat’ (said to myself over and again.)  And that’s the thing with Amanda Wakeley, she knows how to create pieces that love the female form.  The loose cuts are modest and the drape creates wonderful shapes which transform over the body as you move.

Of Accessories

The Camilla Skovgaard shoes need no introduction, being as they are,  a mainstay of collaboration with Wakeley. But particularly in this collection, the desert boot soles are just perfect.  Then there are the bracelets which given half a chance, and the bank account, I would find myself acquiring.  Something about the strong structural shape and the softness of what is reflected in it is simple and beautiful, something that could easily be the tag-line for this collection!

Rather been in a mood for sketching lately, and this look was eyeing me up, what can I say..

Favourites Anyone?

I’ll be honest and admit I can’t choose between these looks.  But I’d love to know which is your favourite.

(images: backstage via the Amanda Wakeley blog, runway via ELLE UK and Vogue.co.uk, sketch via my scanner)

via Hijab and the City

Some Eid outfit sketches I did for Hijab and the City, these are the unfinished versions, or rather the first versions before realizing pencil really doesn’t show up very well.  But I do prefer the texture here.  Any how, check out the full article here!

Inspired by Style Bubble

The last in my Style Bubble illustration series, but it was actually the first sketch I did.  I love the textures and the candy colours, but I wanted to do a darker version, something stormy. You can see the other two here and here.  And don’t forget to check out Susie’s amazing blog Style Bubble!

(Original image: Style Bubble)

Couture Fall 2009

And Another…

This week I’ve combined these two stunning dresses into one hijab friendly outfit. I absolutely loved Valentino’s couture collection, and I’ll be doing a full couture report next week inshAllah.

Hijab Style

Don’t forget to vote for your look of the week

(inspiration images: style.com)

Video Demonstration

Fashion drawing: StyleCovered Sketch tutorial

I promised you a video and here it is, A look at how I sketch and edit all in under 4 minutes. Double click on it if you want to see it in better quality on YouTube. I hope you enjoy! It has music from the beginning so you can mute it if you want.

To have another look at the finished Sketch along with the original inspiration you can find it here.

Music Credits:

(Intro) Lupe Fisco Paris, Tokyo

The Brighton Port Authority feat. Emmy the Great Seattle

Painterly

After a short recess the Hijabi Sketchbook is back, the inspiration image was taken from the More Dash than Cash feature in September 09 British Vogue. I mostly chose it for the hat, which I know is a stupid reason, but I really like the paint splatter. The houndstooth makes a great focus for a maxi skirt (very English heritage), and the styling is great.

More Dash Than Cash Hijab Style

There wasn’t too much to adjust, just making it a long skirt and pulling the shirt sleeve down a few inches. With a polo neck underneath (and headscarf of course). I also put together a video demo of how I created the sketch. Much edited, it now fits into 3 and a half minutes of video! I’ll post it up next week inshAllah, I hope you like it.

Don’t forget to vote for your look of the week