FS Style

Five Minutes With: Kelly Smith

It’s no secret that we adore Kelly Smith and her whimsical fashion illustrations so we’re thrilled to reveal the design that Kelly has created for our limited edition tote bags, available as a gift with purchase in store at FrockShop’s Grazia Up Late event.

We caught up with Kelly to find out what inspires her signature aesthetic…

Where did the inspiration for the FrockShop illustration come from?

The Frockshop girls provided the most wonderful mood board full of beautiful images, clippings, samples etc etc. It wasn’t hard to pull inspiration from their selections.

There are obviously certain trends that are nice to capture for a boutique like Frockshop, but also a particular aesthetic – a definitive ‘Frockshop’ girl – which is what I set out to achieve!

How long does it take for you to complete one of your signature sketches?

Generally the pencil work can take about a day or two to complete, depending on how complex the drawing is – or if I’m trying to achieve a specific likeness.

A lot of the time I have to stop and start a drawing depending on time, so it’s hard to measure just how long you take to finalise a sketch. I then add various elements to it and spend time cleaning up the scans.

It was a different experience this time, working with vector lines for the benefit of screenprinting. I’m so used to shading and really refining my sketchwork so it was definitely a challenge to work in more simplicity.

If you were to be commissioned to sketch a self-portrait of anyone, who would you like to draw?

If I could draw ANYONE I would love love love to be commissioned to draw a portrait of Marion Cotillard. That would be the ultimate! I adore her style, but also so many different aspects of what she does.

I’d also flip my lid if I were to be asked to draw Diane Kruger.

Those two can sit together in my list of career goals!

What is your wardrobe currently craving?

I’m in dire need of Summer wear. I typically layer up so much in winter that when Summer rolls around I realize all I have are a million jackets, cardigans, scarves and tees.

I’d love a few pretty skirts! Arnsdorf and Zimmermann do AMAAAAAZING prints for Summer. I’m also lusting after the Ellery Sequin Hannah Blazer!

Don’t miss your chance to own one of Kelly’s limited edition tote bags. Visit FrockShop’s flagship boutique for the James Street Grazia Up Late from 5pm on Thursday 18 November.

Shop what’s new at FrockShop.com.