The fashion illustrator on Cleveland skies, drawing in rhythm with whatever is playing, and the Met Gala night that made it all feel real.
Deanna First left Cleveland for New York in 2012, straight out of a fine arts degree in fashion design, and has spent the years since building a practice around a marker, a sheet of paper and whatever is happening in the room. She draws live – at fashion shows, at hotel suites during the Met Gala, aboard a superyacht in the Mediterranean – and she has worked inside the studios of Ralph Lauren and J.Crew. Here, she talks about where the lines come from.
You grew up in Cleveland. How does that city still show up in your art today, even here in New York? Do you ever catch yourself drawing a certain kind of sky, a posture, a texture that just feels… Ohio?
That’s a great question. I moved from Cleveland, Ohio to NYC in 2012 – right after I graduated college with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design. As much as I am thankful for my roots in the Midwest, I don’t ever really think back on it as a source of inspiration for my pieces. I am much more drawn to New York City – however I do miss the way the trees created a beautiful shadow against the night sky in my childhood backyard, and daydreaming while looking up at the stars at night. The NYC skyline simply cannot compete with the beauty of nature.
You travel quite a lot. Does your drawing style actually change depending on where you are? Do you sketch differently in Italy than in New York?
I would like to think that my drawing style is consistent no matter where my career adventures take me. That being said, the change of surroundings very much impacts what inspires me. The same goes for when I am sketching to classical music versus an upbeat mix – I tend to sketch in sync to the rhythm, and my lines on paper are either soft and effortless or a bit more harsh and heavier weight. When I was in Italy with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection on Luminara, one of their newest superyachts, I felt inspired by the movement of the Mediterranean Sea and the soft blue, reflective color palette of the water.
You draw live at fashion shows. Do you remember the first time you truly felt, “Wow, this is my life now”? Where were you?
Yes – I would say illustrating red carpet looks at various hotels throughout the city during the Met Gala. It almost felt as if my world was moving in slow motion, but my marker hitting the paper was at full speed. It was a very surreal experience capturing the celebs and couture looks in real time, before anyone else in the outside public was able to catch a glimpse. It was one of my first “pinch me” moments of my career.
If you could return to one place from your childhood or youth and create a series of illustrations there today, which place would it be, and why?
I would say Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee. Growing up, my family actually had a motorhome and would take trips across all of the states. Both of my parents are retired teachers, so we dedicated the summer to months of exploring national parks, iconic museums and landmarks. I’ve always had a love for Elvis Presley – his charisma and style have been captivating to me since I was young, as well as Priscilla’s aura, iconic hair and wardrobe. Creating a series of them outside of the mansion would be different compared to my usual illustrations, and a bit out of the box.
Working with brands like Ralph Lauren and J.Crew taught you a lot about American style. How did that shape the way you draw women now – their movement, their attitude?
I remember Ralph Lauren had an entire team of illustrators who would hand-draw all of their fashion figures for collection meetings, which is very rare in the digital world we live in today. The figures always had a confident stance and power about them, which reflected the brand perfectly.
Capturing women in everyday situations – out walking their dog in effortless denim, or enjoying nature – helped inspire pulling inspiration from everyday experiences, not just women in ballgowns and fancy red carpet looks.
I was actually in a few design meetings with Ralph Lauren himself.
Selected Work
If we imagine that each of your illustrations is a map, which city would you call your “inner creative capital” – New York, another real city, or perhaps an entirely imaginary place?
I would say pulling inspiration from earth and the stars. I consider myself a very spiritual person and am inspired by “the unseen” world. The dream state is a huge source of inspiration, and where creativity often forms for me. I have woken up and vividly remembered illustrating a piece. It’s almost as if it is a collaborative effort using my waking state and dream state in order to produce something truly special that resonates within.
Of course, I also love New York City and Parisian influences. People watching at markets and parks, the movement of models during Fashion Week, authentic street style of women and their fashionable pets – all draws me in.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
