Wednesday’s Notes d’Amour Edition Three
Bonjour, friends! For the third (accidental Valentine’s) edition of my Notes d’Amour I wanted to give some LOVE to a very talented NYC based illustrator Deanna First. She does amazing live event sketching of models, party-goers, and even their pets! Her recent clients include Tiffany & Co., LoveShackFancy, and Carolina Herrera. I met her at an event at Ralph Lauren in Dallas during my time there for the big RL 50th Anniversary. I was able to get a sketch done after the clients left later that evening and I will always treasure it - truly amazing.
Above, clockwise from left: 1- Deanna First, herself! 2- a fashion illustration available for purchase on her site. 3- A custom menu for a luncheon. 4- various accessories with her original illustrations imprinted on them.
Deanna has a great website to purchase her bevy of amazing work including cool prints for your home or office.
She also does very unique custom illustrations of matchbooks from restaurants/hotels of your choice in the layout you prefer. During the pandemic I reached out to Deanna to order one for my husband for our 10th wedding anniversary. It featured six matchbooks she created for me based on photos for the restaurants I sent her, since a lot of places do not even have their own matchbooks anymore; it is a bit of a retro thing! Creating several versions based on her research of the place’s website, interior colors etc. was part of the journey and it was seamless. I have eateries from NYC, Italy, and Paris and the final product is perfect! I loved the process and she was a joy to work with.
It is such a unique gift and the possibilities are endless - she mailed it super quick and I purchased another print for my amazing RL work friend, Kate for her birthday. We finally got to meet up after months of pandemic separation - she loves Kate Moss, so voilá!
I enjoy her work and I hope to convince her to come visit me in Paris very soon! Please click below for her website and support/share this self-made, woman owned business - she is a delight.
