Top fashion illustrator London
- Elyse Blackshaw
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Blog by London Fashion Illustrator Elyse Blackshaw
Hi, I’m Elyse, a fashion illustrator based in London! I’ve been drawing fashion since a young age, when my best friend and I decided to come up with our own fashion label in primary school. We would create at any cost... including stealing exercise books from our school to design in! Luckily we never got caught. My kleptomania ended pretty quickly, but my urge to draw fashion always remained. Here is a little bit about me and how I became one of London's Fashion Illustrators.
Fashion has always fascinated me, not just the clothes, but the attitude, the energy, and the stories behind every look. Illustration became my way of capturing that magic in real-time, in my own voice, in my own interpretation. My work embodies exploration and experimentation leaving room for my individual aesthetic to evolve in each piece of artwork.
How It All Started...
Although I was always drawing fashion from a young age, my real journey really kicked off during my BA in Embroidery at Manchester School of Art. There was a project in second year all about fashion image-making, and something just clicked. I fell in love with drawing people, their outfits, their poses. I loved how style could be translated into movement, line, and colour. After graduating in 2013 and posting my sketches on Instagram, I was discovered by Noctis magazine who sent me to London Fashion Week for the first time in 2015!
I continued illustrating until 2019 where I began studying at the Royal College of Art. Here I completed my MA in Textiles Mixed Media. It was there that I really explored how illustration could live beyond the page...on walls, garments, packaging, you name it. I wanted to break the boundaries of where art could go. I was particularly interested in how illustration could be used as a communication tool for positive change in public spaces.
What I Do Now
Fast forward to today: I create illustrations live at events, work with incredible brands, and lead creative workshops around London and beyond.
There’s something electric about live illustration. Being in the middle of the action and. embracing the atmosphere of an event. Whether it’s London Fashion Week or a bespoke brand event, sketching what I see in the moment is a thrill I never get tired of. I use everything from fine liners to chalk pastels, and I love mixing bold colours with quick, expressive lines. It’s not about perfection for me, it’s about energy, movement, and personality.
Collaborations & Murals
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with some amazing brands such as Selfridges, Samsung, and The Shard, just to name a few. Whether it’s collage bespoke cards, designing hand-painted window displays or creating custom murals, I always bring my signature mix of playful colour and fashion-forward attitude to every project. There's something so satisfying about transforming an object or a space with illustration. I especially love when it's large-scale and a bit unexpected.
Giving Back Through Workshops
I’m also really passionate about sharing what I’ve learned and providing access to creative opportunities. I run workshops that encourage people, especially young creatives, to experiment with sustainable fashion illustration. We use recycled collage, talk about valuing materials, and explore how fashion and art can intersect responsibly. Teaching is such a rewarding part of what I do. Seeing someone’s confidence grow as they find their own visual voice is really special.
Why London?
Although I am from Greater Manchester, which is a huge part of my identity, I love living and working in London. I’m constantly surrounded by inspiration... on the tube, in cafes, on the street. This city’s fashion scene is eclectic, raw, glamorous, and gritty all at once. I love being a part of it and capturing its ever-changing style through my illustrations.
If you’re curious to see more of my work or are looking to collaborate, explore my website or see regular updates on my Instagram.
I'd love to hear from you, Elyse x
See more of my portfolio here!
Comments