Singapore-based artist Grace Ciao creates fashion illustrations that combine hand-drawn lines and watercolor brushstrokes with real, three-dimensional flowers. Each delicate petal mimics soft fabric, resulting is pretty dress designs informed by the plant’s natural structure. Ciao explains, “I never know what outfits my flowers are going to blossom into until the last petal fits into place!”
Ciao started using flowers by accident, when she noticed a wilting rose on her desk. Rather than throw it away, she gave it a new lease of life by combining its petals into a fashion illustration. The artist reveals, “It’s always unnerving to step out of my comfort zone but I feel this is when I grow the most as a person.”
Each of Ciao’s floral dresses feature unique textures, forms, and colors depending on the type of flower used. In one piece, a woman is illustrated wearing a pair of pink culottes formed from the trumpet-shaped petals of a Zantedeschia. In another, a ballerina poses in a “flouncy peony dress,” and in a third piece, a woman twirls to show off her flourishing orchid skirt.
With clients including Chanel, Christian Dior, and Fendi, Ciao’s career is in full bloom. You can see more from her growing portfolio on Instagram.
Singapore-based artist Grace Ciao creates fashion illustrations that combine hand-drawn lines and watercolor brushstrokes with real, three-dimensional flowers.
Each delicate petal mimics soft fabric, resulting in pretty floral dresses informed by the plant’s natural structure.
With clients including Chanel, Christian Dior, and Fendi, Ciao’s career is in full bloom.
