I was invited to create live illustrations for a series of in-store events with Dolce & Gabbana at Harrods, working across multiple dates to support a luxury beauty brand activation within the iconic retail space.

Spanning both daytime sessions on the shop floor and a more intimate evening masterclass event, the activation was designed to offer clients a highly personalised and immersive brand experience.

In-Store Illustration at Harrods

Working live within the beauty hall, I created bespoke illustrations for guests throughout the day, capturing visitors as they moved through the space. Positioned on the shop floor, the process naturally drew attention, inviting shoppers to pause, engage, and become part of the experience.

Live illustration in a retail setting offers something unique: it transforms a moment of browsing into something memorable and personal, while also creating a sense of theatre around the brand.

An Evening Masterclass Experience

Alongside the daytime activation, I was also part of an exclusive evening masterclass event.

During this session, guests were introduced to a new makeup range, selecting a look that was then incorporated into their illustrated portrait. Each piece became a reflection not only of the individual, but of the product itself , subtly showcasing the collection through colour, style and detail.

These illustrations were gifted to guests as part of the experience, creating a lasting connection between the client and the brand.

A Bespoke Approach to Beauty Brand Activations

Working across multiple event formats allowed for a tailored approach to each moment, from high footfall engagement on the shop floor to more considered, one-to-one interactions during the masterclass.

This adaptability is key when collaborating with beauty brands, where the focus is not only on visual impact but also on storytelling, product connection and client experience.

Live Illustration for Luxury Retail and Brand Events

I regularly provide live illustration for beauty and fashion brands across London, working on:

* In-store retail activations
* Product launches and PR events
* Brand masterclasses and VIP experiences
* Fashion and luxury events

Each event is approached with a focus on creating something that feels both elevated and personal  aligning closely with the identity of the brand while offering guests a meaningful takeaway.

If you’re planning a brand activation or in store event and would like to incorporate live illustration, feel free to get in touch.

When Gen and Iain chose Battersea Arts Centre as the setting for their London wedding, they wanted their drinks reception to feel distinctive, a gathering that offered guests something genuinely memorable rather than the expected. They chose live illustration, and Claire was booked to create bespoke guest portraits throughout the drinks reception.

Over the course of the 2 hour reception, Claire illustrated over 20 guests in an elegant black and white line style, chosen by the bride to complement the couple’s aesthetic.
Guests took turns sitting for their portrait, each person completed in around 5 minutes, while others gathered around to watch the artwork take shape - creating a natural focal point that drew people together.

That sense of shared experience is part of what makes live illustration work so well at a wedding. It’s not just about the finished portrait - it’s the moment of sitting for it, and the pleasure other guests take in watching someone they know appear on the page.
Guests leave with something personal in their hands, a keepsake far more individual than a photo booth print and something they tend to hold onto long after the day itself.
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Gen’s feedback captured the atmosphere of the session beautifully:

“Thank you SO much for coming along and drawing so many brilliant sketches of (and for!) our wedding guests - everybody loved theirs!”
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Photography of the day was by Story and Colour.
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If you’re planning a London wedding and would like to discuss live illustration for your drinks reception or wedding breakfast, get in touch via the contact page. You can also find out more about wedding illustration on the weddings page.

The London Fashion Week Schedule this September kicked off for me with Live illustration Backstage and Catwalk for the Sabirah show just a stones throw from the banks of The Thames at The Columbia Hotel.
"Lovingly Modest" the latest (1.8) collection in modest wear by designer Deborah Latouche was inspired by themes of Love, Unity and Empathy and this was reflected in the pastel colour ways and cascading fabrics on show. The last collection from Sabirah that I illustrated earlier in the year was based on the 80s tv show Dynasty, so this was very different but still bore all the hallmarks of Sabirah's luxury Demi couture. I sketched what I could live and then created some studio illustrations after the event. Hair was by Nick Irwin and the Schwarzkopf Pro team.

Check out my Reel for all the looks and backstage illustration.

Sabirah London Fashion Week Reel

At the beginning of the month I was at the Goodwood Revival Festival live sketching at the Alpine Cars stand over 3 days, capturing all the wonderful vintage outfits the guests were wearing.
Over 3 days I sketched a record (for me) 104 portraits! Ive had such wonderful feedback with so many people saying it was the highlight of their weekend. Having a Live Event Artist can really elevate your brand by leaving a "feel good factor" that can be associated with happy memories and a keepsake like this.
Take a look at my instagram reels for all the artworks and reactions!

Click here for Live Illustration Guest Reel 1
Click here for Live illustration Guest Reel 2
Click Here for Live illustration and Goodwood Highlights Guest Reel 3

It's only a few weeks until the Final of Miss World where England will be represented by the fabulous Jessica Gagen. Throwback to September and the wonderful event I got to illustrate at Londons Taj Hotel. The Miss England and Fab Uk Top Model Finals.
Anyone who knows me from my younger years will confirm I was obsessed with beauty pageants and would draw imaginary ladies in a line up and watch Miss World on TV marvelling at the dresses and glamour. This, therefore was a bit of a childhood dream come true! The best bit was meeting and drawing the current reigning Miss England, Jessica. I met so many lovely contestants and guests including the current Miss Asiana who I also sketched in her gown and Ethical Queen winner Rebekah Watkins in her Boho themed attire. There was also a Bridal wear round with beautiful gowns by Puneet Bhandal. Miss Fab Uk sponsored by Fab Uk magazine was crowned on the night with the honour going to Paige Loren who automatically qualifies for the Miss England Grand Final. 

Click here for a Event reel ! www.instagram.com/reel/CyLXq4xNVlP/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

As part of the London Fashion Week schedule this September I had the opportunity to draw both backstage and front row for the Hector Maclean show "Orlando in Opulence" at St.Pauls Church in Covent Garden.  I was with fellow artists from Drawing Cabaret Couture and we were treated to a fantastic show from Hector of a collection made entirely from deadstock materials, repurposed into couture garments. 

Another fun aspect to the show was that while waiting for it to begin I live sketched a couple of the celebrity guests - Actress Roxanne McKee (Hollyoaks/Game of Thrones/Lip Service) and Gbemisola Ikumelo Bafta award winning actress and writer! (BlackOps/Famalam/Aloto) they both shared lovely words alongside the drawings on instagram and Roxanne actually asked for a photo with ME!

February saw the pencils out and the bag packed yet again for more Live drawing in the heart of the action at the Autumn/Winter collections at London Fashion Week.
This time I was not only thrilled to be invited back to the Fashion Scout premises in Shoreditch but also to get an exclusive invite with Drawing Cabaret Couture to sketch the new Hellavagirl collection and see the showcase of designers at the Fashions Finest venue by Hyde Park.

​So much glorious material to work on over the next few weeks! Check out instagram for the sketches as they happened!

This month my work was selected to be exhibited in Miami at an event celebrating the work of jewellery designer Elsa Peretti and her work for Tiffany & co. The print on display in the Instituto Marangoni in Miami as part of Art Basel Miami will be auctioned for charity and then 24 prints will be available to purchase through Fida worldwide.

My portrait of model Mary Ballantyne dressed in Pam Hogg Couture from London Fashion Week has been short-listed by the judges in the 6th FIDA Awards. The Awards will take place in London at The Conde Nast College on Tues 22nd November.  You can buy a ticket to the awards here.

​**edit I didn't win - but Im still super proud of this portrait being selected.

In September I had the fantastic opportunity to go to Shoreditch to the live shows hosted by Fashion Scout for London Fashion Week. I was tasked with recording events both at the catwalk and backstage over 2 days. The designers featured were rising talents from Fashion Scout China and FJU talents, solo collections from JU-NNA, Kei Wong, Yonghao Xie and JE Cai; as well as British design icon Pam Hogg making a return to live shows.

 The experience was amazing. Aside from the frantic drawing where you could only capture an "essence" of the look (I had learned this term from the legendary illustrator Bil Donovan a few hours earlier at the Gray MCA exhibition where he was doing a demonstration of fashion drawing) I did my best to lay down some colour and mark making, with a quick video of the collections as they finished.
Being there, absorbing the music; the ambience and observing the garments moving on the figure was something you can only get from a live show and it was inspiring. The models were also so beautiful, of all genders and ethnicities with amazing hair and make up. This brings me to backstage..
Wow... the speed with which the teams backstage work is like nothing I've ever witnessed. It was a hive of activity with hair by Balmain and Make up artists from AOFM conjuring up mesmerising looks to complement the creative visions of the designers. Photographers whizzed around snapping the activity, as we illustrators, sketched and painted our interpretations of events.
My tools for the two days were both traditional and digital. I had a sketchbook, drawing board and paper, watercolours and pencils, as well as my iPad and Apple Pencil. I used both to equal effect. The iPad was particularly useful for live drawing at the JE Cai installation, as I could go out to stand in the audience and soak up the atmosphere hearing the enthusiasm for the collection, while equipped with all the colours and tools Procreate offers through my Apple pencil!
Spectators at the shows were enthusiastic about what we were capturing, complementing us on our drawings as we worked on them between collections. The models and photographers backstage were also fascinated by us and several photographers asked to take pictures or film as we drew. I never got their details unfortunately, as I was mid flow drawing and you really couldn't stop if you were sketching someone get their hair or make up done; they would be gone within minutes and the next person in their seat - such was the pace of events.
I made one attempt at drawing the live catwalk show with the iPad with no real idea of what I was was doing, switching layers and colours on the fly in the hopes of getting as much down as I could. The result was actually quite successful ( Link to my instagram reel) when played back through the Timelapse function that records the drawing. The culmination was a bizarre abstract image but one which encompassed the energy and colours of the Yonghao Xie show quite well I thought. ( I can't however, un-see the giant screaming Pumpkin in the middle! see below)

Head over to my instagram for more reels from London Fashion Week and Timelapse drawings.