Je Suis Josefina Fernandez

Occupation: Fashion Illustrator and Visual artist 
Instagram: @jfillustrations

Where were you born?
I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina but I'm currently based in Miami, FL.

In one sentence what is unique about your work?
It's a mix between a runway and a candyland. 


Why do you do what you do?
Because it makes me happy. I'm addicted to drawing. I also like to provide a distraction from everyday problems to everyone that enjoys my art. 
I love to inject some colors onto the sometimes gray reality. 


What inspires you?
Traveling. Pop culture. Japanese culture. Color in general. Sunsets. 


Describe your personal style.
Comfortable, preppy and playful. Pink and camo items are a must. Bows too. I wear a lot of puffy skirts. Ballerina flats or -better yet- jellies. 


Your ultimate must-have.
A statement bag. 


What superpower would you have and why?
Teleportation, so I could go for coffee and people watch to Tokyo, London or New York, and go back to my studio in no time (and no jet lag) and sketch.


What is next for you?
Vacations in Europe, and after that come back uber inspired, and take over the world. :)

Je Suis Blair Breitenstein

Occupation: Artist// Fashion Illustrator
Instagram: @Blairz

Where were you born?
I was born and raised in Seattle. Now I live in New York City.

In one sentence what is unique about your work?
The girls I draw look serious but the style I draw them in is not serious,
it's playful. I think this is why people find them intriguing.

Why do you do what you do?
Every day "work" is truly fun and completely satisfying.
I don't have to waste time day dreaming of other things,
places or occupations. When I am drawing... it is a transformative experience- it takes me to another place... where things are not so serious.
What inspires you?
FASHION, Color, Texture, Unique shapes, Eagon Schiele, Picasso, Matisse, Brigitte Bardot, The 60's and 70's, Guy Bourdin, Irving Penn, Francesco Clemente, Pop culture... and the list goes on!

Describe your personal style.
Easy going. I like to be comfortable.

Your ultimate must-have.
Black leather jacket and a good white t-shirt.

What superpower would you have and why?
Time travel!!! I am very inspired by culture of other decades... their are so many decades I'd love to explore first hand.

Next up... I am collaborating with a jewelry line, we are currently in the stages of creating a cohesive mood board that will be the backbone of our collaborative pieces.

Je Suis Maya Beus

Occupation: Fashion illustrator
Instagram: @MayaBeus

Where were you born?
I was born Croatia, and even though I prefer other countries I seem to come back here every once in a while.

In one sentence what is unique about your work?
Whatever is unique about me is unique about my work.

Why do you do what you do?
This is the only thing I ever wanted to do.

What inspires you?
Everything. I agree with Grace Coddington here. Inspiration is everywhere.

Describe your personal style.
This depends on what phase I am in. If I’m in the studio with deadlines and completely in work mode then it’s athleisure. The reason is at times I work 15 hour days so I do yoga in my studio. I also try to incorporate different excesses during the day (I am a bit paranoid about long term effects of long sitting hours so I try to break up the hours as much as I can). Other times it’s a lot of block color, color clashing, accentuating the positives (legs), downplaying the not so great (mostly no tank tops ;-))

Your ultimate must-have.
Great foundation, a big leather bag to hold my sketchbook and iPad and a pair of sparkly shoes

What superpower would you have and why?
Flying. Because obviously. :-)

What is next for you?
Just finishing up a big exhibition, so hopefully a bit of rest once that’s done. But as soon as I catch my breath, hopefully more wonderful work

Je Suis Michelle Vella

Occupation: Illustrator / Artist
Instagram: @michellevellart

Where were you born? 
Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA

What is unique about your work?
It's my recognizable BIG EYES brushed with long lashes that extend well beyond 
the frame of the face, best described as “high art caricature” with an emphasis 
on HIGH ART as it is far more sophisticated than typical caricature. 

Why do you do what you do?
I have always been creative and after 10 years as a graphic designer it was so 
liberating to make a living without being on a computer. I love creating with a 
paintbrush, it's my brush with fashion.

What inspires you?
Seeing a photo of someone with great eyes or unique look inspires me to paint them 
and I find a lot of inspiration from my Instagram feed which is usually fashion 
related.

Describe your personal style.
Not so feminine, and more edgy but casual wearing my comfy skinny Jeans, leather 
jacket, black short boots, black top finished with a long chain around my neck 
with a dangling Chrome Hearts cross, JdJ Seville cross and Bloodline dog tags plus 
some Alex and Ani bracelets and a faux fur jacket. In the summer the same except 
replace the boots with flip flops.

Your ultimate must-have:
Sunlight - love living in a bright sunny place especially for my studio and at night, dimmers on lights, ambiance is everything.

What superpower would you have and why?
Well that's easy, to wrinkle my nose like Bewitched and transport me somewhere 
to catch a sunset. In all seriousness my mom is 83 and she lives an hour away 
so it would be wonderful to be able to be there for her when she needs something 
even it is just a hug.

What is next for you?
I am working on a collaboration with an Italian designer but I can't say what it 
is yet. I just finished a 24 foot mural for a company which was all consuming so
now I am working on my business and setting up my product line, marketing and making 
connections for commissions and live illustrating events in the fashion world.