The Knot

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Saturday, October 13, 2018

MENTAL FLOSS 15 Secrets of Courtroom Sketch Artists (THEY DO WEDDINGS)


15 Secrets of Courtroom Artists ( THEY DO WEDDINGS)
by Jake Rosen October 12, 2018

Link to article
http://mentalfloss.com/article/559361/secrets-courtroom-sketch-artists

www.illustratedcourtship.com 

After aviator Charles Lindbergh’s infant son was kidnapped and found dead in 1932, perpetrator Bruno Hauptmann was brought to justice—and cameras followed. So many lit up the courtroom during Hauptmann's trial and eventual conviction that the American Bar Association
 successfully lobbied to ban photographers from proceedings due to the distraction. Some 30 years later, during the trial of Lee Harvey Oswald’s killer, Jack Ruby, CBS found a solution. They hired illustrator Howard Brodie to capture Ruby’s expressions.

The rest is history, most of it rendered in charcoal and watercolor. Courtroom sketch artists go where cameras cannot, recording the often-tense atmospheres of high-profile judicial cases featuring the likes of Charles Manson, Bernie Madoff, and Michael Jackson. On tight deadlines, these artists use their craft to communicate the emotions of a 

1. THEY HAVE TO DRAW AROUND OBSTACLES.

El Chapo Hearing in Brooklyn Federal Court 

COURTESY OF ELIZABETH WILLIAMS
Imagine sitting down to sketch a friend and finding that someone has placed a column, screen, or body directly in your field of vision. Now imagine that if you can’t capture this person’s likeness, you don’t get paid. That’s the most common problem faced by courtroom sketch artists, who frequently have to navigate around obstacles in order to get a glimpse of their subject—often the defendant, attorney, or judge. “You generally have to wait for someone to lean over,” says Elizabeth Williams, an artist based in New York who works for CNBC and the Associated Press, among others. (Most artists are hired by the larger news outlets.) “Fortunately, people aren’t potted plants, and they do move.” If they don’t, Williams will move around the courtroom herself, trying to secure a better vantage point. During pleas and sentencing—and depending on the judge—she might be allowed to sit with other reporters in the jury box.

6. THEY SELL THEIR WORK TO ATTORNEYS.

A courtroom sketch by Elizabeth Williams depicts attorney Robert Hillard in a 2016 trial examining the possible fault of General Motors in a motor vehicle accident
COURTESY OF ELIZABETH WILLIAMS
Like big game hunters, lawyers enjoy a trophy. Some attorneys in high-profile case will approach Williams asking to purchase a sketch that she rendered. “I’ve sold my work to a number of attorneys,” she says. “Generally speaking, they only want it when they win.” Behringer says that some attorneys fresh out of law school will specifically request she come into court to sketch them. “I guess it might be to show parents you’ve finished law school.”
The Library of Congress even has a collection of 96 courtroom drawings from famous trials, with illustrations by Williams among them. They were purchased with funds from the noted L.A. laywer Thomas V. Girardi, best known for working on the California environmental contamination case involving Erin Brockovich.

15. THEY DO WEDDINGS.

Artist Elizabeth Williams depicts a newlywed couple
COURTESY OF ELIZABETH WILLIAMS
The nature of the court sketch business has changed over the years as some federal courts are becoming more lenient with the presence of cameras. (While cameras are typically not allowed in federal trial courts, there have been certain exceptions, experiments, and pilot projects to allow cameras; state rules vary.) Experienced artists still find work, but it’s a good idea to have some alternative methods of income. Williams books her services as a sketch artist for weddings on weekends, when court isn’t in session. “People are always getting married, but you can’t always count on ‘El Chapo’ getting arrested,” she says. “You have to do other things.” Williams approaches nuptials in much the same way as a trial. “I’ll meet with a client and go over the key moments.” Instead of closing arguments, it might be the first dance as a married couple.
The biggest difference? “It’s so nice to be around people who are so happy and just beginning their lives, as opposed to people going to, you know, prison.”
For more information on wedding illustrations
www.illustratedcourtship.com 

Sunday, August 5, 2018

FELIPE MACARAYA FASHION DESIGNER


Felipe Macaraya is a couturier who creates custom clothing for some of New York’s most elite fashion conscious clientele.   He is known for creating clothes from uniquely ornate and elegant fabrics. Felipe started his love of fashion early in the Philippines and eventually moved to New York City to study at the Fashion Institute of Design. His atelier is located in Gramercy Park and he has been creating custom made clothing for over 20 years.

Below is an interview with Felipe.

Q) How did you become a couturier?
A)  I was always interested in clothes and women looking beautiful. While in college I had the opportunity of working as part of a design team for a designer in the Philippines. After I moved to the United States, I worked at Bergdorfs which inspired me to pursue a degree of fashion design  at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).


Q)  One of  the  hallmarks of your atelier is creating custom gowns with very intricate and ornate fabrics. How did you develop such an expertise?
A)  I learned the foundations about fabrics from college.  In addition it is the amount of time I have been working with different fabrications. I study it, especially when I am handling the fabrics. I know what can be achieved from certain fabrics.

Q) If a client brings you some intricate fabric, how do you approach making a dress or gown?
A) It starts from a collaboration with the client. I will tell the client what I can design with that specific fabric. I listen to the clients desires and then I would draw a sketch for the design of the dress.

Custom made bridesmaid dress

Hand sewn petals for dress

 Q) What is the process?

A) I use a muslin to determine the shape, the measurements, pattern and the proportions. Because ornate fabric is so expensive, we first need to make the muslin because we can’t afford to make a mistake. Then I make a lining/ first layer of the dress, we use for fitting. Once that is perfected then we will start to use the material, which may involve draping, lace overlay, hand sewing whatever is required to finish the creation.





Contact information
FELIPE MACARAYA FASHION DESIGNS

134 East 22nd Street # 105
New York NY 10010
Phone: 212 254 1979
Email: Fmacaraya@me.com

felipemacaraya.com

Instagram: felipemacarayafashiondesigns             

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

VERA WANG TRUNK SHOW AT WEDDING SALON OF MANHASSET

Vera Wang's new Spring 2019 collection was highlighted at  The Wedding Salon of Manhasset on May 19th (the same day as the Royal Wedding)
The new designs that were shown included : the Ava gown, the Vera gown, the Favianna gown, the Ingrid gown and many others

Vera Wang Wedding Dress: the Ava Gown

Vera Wang Wedding Dress: the Favianna Gown

Vera Wang Gown: the Vera Gown

Vera Wang Wedding Dress: the Ingrid Gown
Artwork by Elizabeth Williams/Illustrated Courtship

The Wedding Salon is an elegant bridal salon with modern & traditional wedding dresses from renowned designers on display. Driven by artistic, modern and luxurious design and style, couture-like quality and a high level of customer service, Vera Wang's collections hold impeccable appeal. The Salon offers the complete range of styles from the designer’s Vera Wang Collection and Vera Wang Luxe.


The Wedding Salon hosts trunk shows throughout the year. For information about upcoming trunk shows, and to make an appointment to attend a trunk show, please call 516.869.8455.

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Ms. Meghan Markle's wedding dress by British designer, Clare Waight Keller.

Ms. Meghan Markle's wedding dress has been designed by the acclaimed British designer, Clare Waight Keller.

Meghan Markle wedding dress, drawing by Elizabeth Williams/Illustrated Courtship
Waight Keller was an interesting sartorial selection from Markle, given that while Waight Keller is British, she is best known for her work at prominent French fashion houses — before she took over as the first female artistic director at Givenchy, she was the creative director at ChloĆ©.


From Time.com

Meghan Markle’s Dress

“Ms. Meghan Markle’s wedding dress has been designed by the acclaimed British designer, Clare Waight Keller. Ms. Waight Keller last year became the first female Artistic Director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy.

After meeting Ms. Waight Keller in early 2018, Ms. Markle chose to work with her for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour. Ms. Markle also wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent who has now served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses – Pringle of Scotland, ChloĆ©, and now Givenchy.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

ILLUSTRATED COURTSHIP AT BRIDAL EXPO NASSAU COLISEUM

Illustrated Courtship kicked off their new product,  custom illustrated wedding books with a booth at the Bridal Expo at the Nassau Coliseum.  One lucky couple won a free wedding book and many brides and grooms showed interest in the custom illustrated wedding books.

Flowers designed by Verbena Designs adorned the booth.



Verbena Design Floral Centerpiece 

Illustrated Courtship at the Bridal Expo 


Bridal Bouquet by Verbena Designs.




Illustrated Courtship Custom Wedding Book Booth