Animated Illustrations

Tara Dougans is an Amsterdam-based art director and illustrator. Focused on the value of ‘taking one’s time’, her early illustrative work is reflective of a preoccupation with the authenticity of a hand-drawn line. Seeing fashion as play, illustration as flexible and digital as opportunity – her most recent projects explore the intersection of handcraft and technology, static and motion. Commissions include collaborations with Iris van Herpen, the Fashion Department at the Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Amsterdam Fashion Week and exclusive work for NOWNESS.com.

Spanning the work of designers Dries Van Noten, Juun.J, Lucas Ossendrijver and Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, Thom Browne, Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, Walter Van Beirendonck and Kim Jones for Louis Vuitton, Beware of a Man's Shadow is a collection of illustrated work featuring seven of this season's most playful menswear pieces. Originally concepted as an 'animated editorial', the project kicked off shortly after Paris Fashion Week Menswear in January. Inspired by the Burmese proverb 'beware of a man's shadow and a bee's sting', the idea was to juxtapose the subtle stoicism of menswear imagery with a cheeky animated wink. Having previously worked almost exclusive with pencil, the aim was to create a multisensory experience without losing the feel of hand craftsmanship. Completed in June, the editorial features a short fashion film and seven animated illustrations. It was launched to coincide with the debut of Men's Fashion Week in London.