Fashion Illustration is the art of communicating fashion ideas in a visual form that originates with illustration, drawing and painting and also known as Fashion sketching.

Fashion Illustration can also be defined as a representation or design of a garment but they also serve as a form of art.

Fashion Illustration has been around for nearly 500 years.

Fashion illustration has been utilised to not only present early imaginings of garments but also can be utilized to reflect social classes,for instance, within the 16th century there were clear objective differences within garments.

Fashion illustration is best reflected in fashion magazines, most notably Vogue (first issued in 1892)

Vogue, throughout history has documented the change in fashion as well as the silhouette, impacting the way we view modern body image

In the 16th century colour was introduced in fashion illustrations
In the 19th century, there grew more focus on detail and accuracy, showcasing different figures from different angles.
By the end of the 19th century the illustrations were completely replaced with full colour printing

Laird Borrelli, author of Fashion Illustration Now states,
‘’Fashion Illustration has gone from being one of the sole means of fashion communication to having a very minor role. ‘’

Fashion Illustration has now progressed into more expressive forms, used to evoke the ambiance of a garment and fashion house rather than the flat design that once used to simply present a piece.

For example, Vogue once exclusively utilised fashion illustrations within the magazine until the emergence and accessibility of photography.

In previous centuries fashion illustration was done traditionally on paper. More recently fashion illustration is created digitally using adobe programs or other CAD programs which helps the illustrators figure out accurate details for the production of the garment as well as provide convenience.

For instance, contemporary fashion illustrators, Ohab Tochukwu Johnbosco, uses photoshop and other digital programs to create his work in magazines such as Fashion Illustration Africa, showcasing how fashion has become more open to interpretation as well as more diverse.

Ohab Tochukwu Johnbosco says that there are six key steps to becoming successful in the industry.

Believing in your designs, no self doubt

Constant research of the field

Practise your drawing technique as much as possible

Develop your own unique style

Share and network to get your work out there

More talent, less ego