If you follow me on Insta you've probably already noticed that I'm really into this summer's off-the-shoulder trend. Soft dresses and tops with exaggerated volume are interesting to sketch, and the new shapes seem to make for especially striking street-style and editorial images. These are just a few of the "off-the-shoulder girls" I've worked on recently.
Last week, I came across a few photos of model Amanda Norgaard wearing this deep blue dress (above) while browsing through her City Guide to Copenhagen (for W Magazine). She just looked so cool and at ease, with her effortless, silky gold hair and her just-structured-enough skirt length. I wanted to sketch Amanda's look not only because it seemed to embody the relaxed-yet-lively vibe I encountered when I was in Copenhagen a few weeks ago, but also because it shows that an off-the-shoulder piece doesn't have to be beachy or boho or even casual at all. Here off-the-shoulder feels perfectly trim and together. I think the trend works best that way.
I was so into this Talulah Horatio dress that I tracked it down at Aritzia way back in March when there was still snow on the ground. I chose the frosty blue color instead of the white, and that's what inspired the sketch (above). Unfortunately, I haven't had nearly as much fun wearing the dress as I've had drawing it! It's ridiculous, really, but I just can't keep it on my shoulders. It looks okay when I'm standing still (or hunching a little like the model in the top right-hand photo) but if I take two steps it immediately falls down. No one else seems to be dealing with this issue though, so it's probably just me.
Vanessa Hong @TheHautePursuit. Photo courtesy of Diego Zuko for Harpers Bazaar's The Street Clique.
My drawing of Vanessa Hong wearing JH.ZANE at Paris Fashion Week FW15 (above) was the first off-the-shoulder sketch I did in 2015, back in early March. It's remained one of my most popular sketches this year. I still love the unusual semi-detached sleeves with their geometric folds. How can a top have all those ruffles but remain so minimal and perfectly pared-down? Above are the series of work-in-progress sketches I worked on leading up to my final version.
So how do you feel about the off-the-shoulder trend? Have you gotten a chance to try it out? Comment and let me know! Here are four of my favorite off-the-shoulder finalists to get you thinking!
Top Left: Photo courtesy of ThatFashionBiatch. Top Right: Photo courtesy of ClassIsEternal + Esther Jung. Bottom Left: Photo courtesy of GlamRadar. Bottom Right: Photo courtesy of Vogue UK.
