Tell us a bit about yourself! 

I’m a self taught fashion illustrator, as well as a fashion creator and appreciator. I started to dabble in fashion illustration about two years ago, and decided it’s something I'm so passionate about in the past year! I have been painting for years though. I enjoy oils in my free time, and have actually just started plein air!

Kris wears the Carmen Midi Dress in red/ivory

You create beautiful sketches that reflect your personal style. How do you decide what to paint? Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I actually get a lot of inspiration from fashion advertisements! The way the items are already styled makes it very easy to decide to paint them from an aesthetic standpoint. Nonetheless, I do pull inspiration from influencers like Natalie Steen of The Nat Note. I draw a lot of my artistic inspiration from vintage sources such as 60s pattern envelopes. Some of my absolute icons of fashion illustration are David Downton, Robert Best, Grant Cowan, Izak Zenou, and Bill Donovan. I also enjoy looking at artists like Paige Spearin and Anna Weyant!

How do you describe your painting style?

It’s very watercolor heavy! I typically use the Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors and Cotman watercolors from Windsor and Newton. I incorporate a lot of color and try to stay away from harsh outlines. I find that too harsh an outline or too flat a color can bring down that “light and airy” feel you want to hold onto when it comes to illustrating clothing! I also try to keep the legs on my models sort of long; it’s a fashion illustrating tradition, but I also live vicariously through them as someone who is very short!

Follow along on Instagram @therotchfordrack

What is your favorite type of outfit/ look to paint? 

This sounds so silly– but kick-flare jeans! You can paint them in so many different washes, and they accompany almost any shoe and top so well. They are the workhorse of the wardrobe!

How does your personal style influence your artwork, and vice versa?

I am always painting button down shirts, and I am always wearing button down shirts. It's a vicious cycle! Nonetheless, I lean into what I call “prep-eccentric” sort of style, so I always find myself gravitating towards items that are out there both in my illustrations and my life. And collars. I will paint anything with a collar on it.

What are some ways you live stylishly inside and out? 

I always embrace my personal style, but most importantly color! In a modern world so oversaturated with “convenience,” people don’t take enough time to really spend the time finding out who they are and how they like to dress. We all end up sort of looking like grey cutouts of each other. I also look to color to brighten my mood. A multicolored striped button down and a pop of pink lipstick helps the day run smoother.  

Tell us about your sketch of Mestiza’s dress! What design details stood out to you?

I love the way the bright sea of red frames the whole design. If the end of the sleeves had been red or the bow had been red, it would be a completely different dress. The way the design seamlessly flows from top to bottom– almost in a gradient– is the most beautiful thing about it. I purposely made the skirt of the dress and legs of the model very long to showcase that. I also find the rouleau buttons on the mandarin collar very alluring. It’s quite bridal-inspired.

What do you love most about the Mestiza brand?

Ugh, so many things! I love that Mestiza is a brand by women, for women. That has always been what sticks out most to me. The female centered design is certainly something to be proud of. Beyond that, I can’t begin to tell you how much I adore the quality fabrics and colorful designs.

How does wearing Mestiza make you feel?

It makes me feel like I’m sitting at the cool girls’ table, one filled with kind women that cherish what it means to be yourself and how to set that example for those around them.