Interview with Fashion Illustrator Brooke Hagel - Tips on How to Promote Yourself as a Fashion Illustrator
Fashion Illustrator Brooke Hagel has graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Fashion Design. Illustrating was always been her favorite part of the design process, but she was told repeatedly that there was no longer any demand for fashion illustrators.
She’s now at the age when many of her friends are getting married, so she had to figure out the perfect custom gift to give them. This is how she started drawing bridal illustrations of her friends for their wedding gifts. And the demand for fashion illustrators appeared immediately
Enjoy an awesome interview about her passion for fashion illustration, about her experience at FIT, and on how she successful promotes her artwork on Etsy, Facebook, or her bog.
- Talk a little bit about you and your passion - fashion illustration
First off, thank you! I’ve always loved fashion illustrations. I’ve collected and admired them for ages now. In high school I focused on regular figure drawing, as it was a big part of the Art Department curriculum. When I went to college (NY’s Fashion Institute of Technology) for fashion design I quickly learned that the illustration part was my favorite part of the process. (As well as the part I excelled in the most…sewing and pattern making, not so much!)
- Are you doing this for a living or do you have another job?
The promotion and feedback I’ve received on Etsy has been fantastic. Its always so exciting to read my client feedback or features about my shop. I really value my customers and try to give them the best customer service with a product that I’d proud of.
When I first began my Etsy shop I had a full time job as a Product Designer/Stylist and my shop was just something I did on the side. It was fun to come back to fashion illustration and turn my hobby into a little business. Almost two years ago I lost my job and have since been growing my fashion illustration business and taking on freelance clients.
- What about your experience at Fashion Institute of Technology?
I actually didn’t originally choose FIT. I first went to Towsen University in MD, but came home to NY after only one semester. My mom had graduated in Fashion Design from FIT and I always heard great things about the school but I thought I should go away to “regular college” like my friends. When I came home I took classes at FIT part time, LOVED it, then applied and went full-time. To this day I’m still very close with my very first professor there, Renaldo Barnette.
I originally wanted to become a costume designer. (And chose Towsen because of their theater dept.) When I came home and started attending FIT it seemed like a natural progression. Even though my major was fashion design I made costume and wardrobe my focus with each class assignment and by interning at Sex and the City, and Saturday Night Live.
I really enjoyed my time at FIT. I had some absolutely incredible teachers there and was able to graduate with a really impressive resume of internships. With NYC being your campus you have access to almost any company you could dream of working for and learning from. And I did.
- How do you promote yourself as a fashion illustrator?
The “thing” that has been the biggest success for my fashion illustration business has been blogging. I was very hesitant to start a blog because I didn’t feel I had the writing skills and was afraid of putting myself out there. Over the past few months (almost a year, which is crazy) I’ve become much more comfortable with it, have built a following, and even started posting tips and tutorials which have been extremely successful and brought me a lot more business.
Once after introducing myself to Etsy staffers at an event they hosted I was given the opportunity to be an Etsy guest blogger, which was fantastic and brought me a lot of exposure. (Networking works wonders!) Other than that I don’t do much promotion. I don’t advertise or send out mailers. It’s really just through my blog.
- In today’s world designers have incredible opportunities to connect with the outside world. How do you created your community of fans?
Social media and social networks have been a great tool. I get to interact with my fans and clients through my facebook fan page and twitter account. People also post comments on my blog, which I respond to, and often email me with questions or just to say hello.
- From your point of view, which are the best websites to promote yourself?
Any website that you yourself like and spend a lot of time on would be a good place to start. I personally post comments on the blogs I love. (All of which are listed on my blogs “Blogroll”… Décor8 being my very favorite!)
All work and images ©Brooke Hagel 2007-2010, All rights reserved.
Don't miss out on exciting news and updates.
