The Sea of Fertility.

Macaron.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:25:00 +0000

I love the Macaron colors-They look gentle and soft, as if they will melt at any time. Before I used to be annoyed by these type of girly pinky colors, because my character is too much like a tomboy, although you really couldn't tell from my appearance. But one day I just started to like these type of soft colors, maybe just my personality is becoming gentler and more peaceful. It is always like this, something we didn't like or understand when we were so young, but we appreciate more and more when we are getting older... Time is the greatest enforcer of change.

Trench coat by Alexander Mcqueen

Belt by Kenzo Vintage

Top by And the other stories

Skirt by J.W Anderson X Topshop

Bag by Mulberry Willow Tote

Heels by Jil Sander

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

References from Google images.

Being alone.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:41:00 +0000

Artists need to be alone, I mean artists like the loneliness. Sometimes socializing could give them many fun experiences and balance their life, however, when an artist or designer tried to create new works, they always stay in their own world. Sometimes in order ot be creative one needs to have focus, calm and space.

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Make up magic.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:02:00 +0000

Usually I don't really put make up on so much, but I was so curious to try them on and see how it would look when I received Lancome Show X Alber Elbaz (Official Page) make up products. Of course the result surprised me a lot. These shinny eyeshadows and curly eye lashes made look so much more glamour and maturer. Afterwards my friend said, " You look so different like this."

I guess good make up really is a kind of magic to change a person's look.

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Make up by SK studio

Smart forJeremy-An electrifying love story.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:57:00 +0000

It was so interesting to draw the Smart X Jeremy Scott car story in comic style, actually I learnt a lot professional things from visualizing the developing process of this unique design car. This collaboration experience really made me appreciate team work more which behind each design.

watch the full comic version here!

Comic by Nancy.Z

Glamour Chic.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 18:35:00 +0000

Tapestry satin is the most well known Chinese silk technic since 19 century. Usually it was weaved by silk, with silver, gold and many other threads together, to keep the surface shinny and smooth. It is very common fabric for Cheongsam, especially suits glamour style. To be honest I don't really like this type of traditional fabric before, but recently I found it could be very elegant as an outwear. It always depends on the design or styling. Of course my taste changes slowly as well.

Tapestry Satin coat by Ms.Min

Pants by Dries Van Noten

Heels by Prada

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

An illustrated book, an animated Lancôme Show.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 11:13:00 +0000

Originality is most hard to come by, so much to my suprise when I recieved this package from Lancome and got it open then had a light look threw the Lancome Show X Alber Elbaz (Official Page) art book that it was indeed a pop up book! I felt as if I was in this interactive wonderland which is built by Alber Elbaz's stylish illustrations. Most of all the middle part of the book looked like a (as you can see in the pictures) a real fashion cat walk, the characters which populated the drawing landscape filled it with character. The entire book seemed to best well designed with a good measure of the fun and creativity. Also I had watched the latest short animation video of Lancome Show, it was charming and interesting, reminds me the period to study animation in the college. A wonderful cooperation make up line, very funky and fun!

Photography by Dean.B

The City of the Heart-Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:18:00 +0000

Since the Esprit cooperation "The City of the Heart" launched last month, I got many readers amazing works who comes from different place, different style and different ages for my project" Draw me Nancy". Their passionate way of life inspired me so much although I could only choose two of them. In the end I finished these 2 drawing to express my touched feelings , for the maternal love, for the shining youth.

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Snowy Cats.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:25:00 +0000

Cats are the purest and the most intelligent creatures I know...and they are one of my favorite elements of my paintings as well.

Have a nice weekend!

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Boss fashion show in Shanghai.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Wed, 29 May 2013 19:22:00 +0000

The BOSS Fashion Show in Shanghai will be launched on May 30, so I presented these two outfits to show the aesthetics of Hugo Boss. It was very nice to try something different. Also,we could click here to watch Hugo Boss Shanghai FW2013 fashion show online at 9:15pm(Beijing Time), 3:15pm(Berlin Time) tomorrow.

Evening Outfit by Hugo Boss Black

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Dress and Heels by Hugo Boss Black

Book,Blossom and Summer Evening.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:22:00 +0000

Summer evening at the garden is peaceful and relaxing. This theme reminds me of an old poem from Emily Dickinson's:

"A Blossom, or a Book,

the seeds of smiles are planted -

Which blossom in the dark."

excerpt from"By Chivalries as tiny"

by Emily Dickinson

Have a nice weekend.

Top by COS

Vintage Belt

Skirt by Pleats Please by Issey Miyake

Heels by Pelle Moda

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Mint and Strawberry...

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:57:00 +0000

In the amazingly hot weather,

I combined the mint and strawberry colors together.

The color palette looked like ice cream fruit flavor,

it made me feel cooler and so much happier!

Dress by Handmade

Belt by Kenzo Vintage

Mulberry small willow Tote

Jil Sander Sandal heels

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Afternoon at Art Museum.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:20:00 +0000

Afternoon at Hamburgerbahnhof Museum. Spending time in museum is always one of my favorite things , to watch and learn something in a peaceful and bright place, with much obsessions.

Trench coat by Comme des Garcons

Jumper by Jil Sander

Skirt by Hugo Boss

Flats by Melvin &Hamilton

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Cherry blossom rain.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:06:00 +0000

When the cherry blossoms starts to fall more and more, the summer is coming to this city.Originally I planned to take pictured among the cherry blossom trees, I was standing under those cherry blossom trees and enjoying this beautiful scene, the rain drops started to fall down on me heavily, soaking my hair which i just washed at home. This rain became too heavy to carry out my plan, so we had to take pictures with the umbrella in the rain.

Well, I think the unexpected things always happen in our life. But there will be some surprises as well!

Sailor top by COS

Skirt from 50s Vintage

Umbrella by Marc Cain

Flats by Melvin & Hamilton

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Happy Mother's day.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sun, 12 May 2013 10:44:00 +0000

For my dear mother.

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Jump!

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:08:00 +0000

Esprit event “The castle of the heart” has finished yesterday. I was totally surprised to receive so many beautiful and creative traveling looks from my lovely readers, it was too difficult to choose only 2 looks ,seriously! In the end I picked two of my favorite journal looks: one is "Mother and daughter under the cherry blossom tree",the other one is "Dusk Girl". Both of them are so emotional and full of their unique characters. I will finish the drawings passionately and issue them at the beginning of June as 2 portrait sketches of my project” Draw me Nancy” . Thank you everyone!

Ps: Hopefully “Draw me Nancy” could start again globally so that everyone could join it properly wherever you are!

Scarf by COS

Top and shorts by Esprit

Shoes by Jil Sander

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Picasso.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:29:00 +0000

"For me painting is a dramatic action in the course of which reality finds itself split apart."

- by Pablo Picasso

Actually the first work of Picasso I had read was his sketchy line works when I was a little kid. This look was inspired by his sketchy works as well, his line work. I just imagine myself is a pure white clay vase with his lovely painting. It was funny the wall's texture also look like a big piece of canvas painting, such a interesting combination!

The inspiration of art comes from reality, but art itself separates from reality. It means creativity is a kind of expression from people's mind literally. Keep a sensitive heart to observe the reality, many detail could be a beautiful art.

Top by Jil Sander

Pants by COS

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Face, 1953

Woman Lamp (Lampe Femme), 1955

Nude Woman in a Red Armchair (1932)

Pablo Picasso, Marie-Thérèse, Face and Profile (Marie-Thérèse, face et profil),Paris, 1931

The castle in the heart.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:43:00 +0000

I was invited by Esprit China, and I am about to start a very interesting interactive event which is called “ The castle in the heart”, you could post your pictures travelling in metropolises, with the tags of #ESPRIT the City of the Heart# ， #Draw me Nancy# and @ESPRIT中国 before May 10th. In the end I will pick 2 readers whose the looks I love the most, to draw as a fashion quick portraits and put them into my “Draw me Nancy” project.

Very interesting, isn’t it? Then please show the most interesting and fashionable look of you to me! Don’hesitate!

Jeans and Top by Esprit

Silk outwear by Henrik Vibskov

Black haired woman and white tulips.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:24:00 +0000

Actually the inspiration of this white outfit came from a painting I finished recently which is named" Blonde boy and white peony". Well I don't have blonde hair or white peony, but I have white sailor top and white tulip. Then the title becomes " Black haired woman and white tulips". Both of these two sets express the same feeling: A kind of vague, gentle, lovely atmosphere.

Top by Comme des Garcons

Skirt by Hugo Boss

Heels by Manolo Blahnik

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Like a school girl!

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:37:00 +0000

Since this warm spring came to Berlin, I was happy like a kid most of the time (dressing like a child as well…), everyday I have to go outside to enjoy this beautiful sunshine until my skin get so much sun tan, although my schedule is very intense. Anything looks so poetic with these green and blossom.

Esprit and me will present a very interesting interactive event with you guys. There will be a surprise then～

Denim dress by Esprit

Tops by Romeo Gigli

Tight by A.P.C

Flats by Topshop

Photography by Dean.B

Illustration by Nancy.Z

A Fresh Haircut.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

As you know, I had a new haircut. It looks so much maturer than before. Actually I don't want to always be girly or sweet, women should have the perfect style for their right age. A simple, delicate, casual and chic outfit is definitely my favorite during daily life. Having a unique style and real confidence helps us become prettier and prettier!

Scarf from antique clothing

Furla mini candy bag

Tops by Topshop

Jeans by LEE

Flats by Melvin and HAMLITON

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

A dream of Spring night.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:51:00 +0000

This is a dreamy world of mid spring night. Since I have been working on this drawing for a while, I started to explore more possibility for myself, to find different topics, different styles, different elements to challenge myself. And I am really obsessed with the worlds I tried to build. Nothing could make you feel happier but to finish your art.

I wish everyone has a dreamy spring time.

Illustration by Nancy.Z

All black for a cloudy day.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:34:00 +0000

This set was taken during the ice cold weather 2 weeks ago. Many friends said I dress black constantly last winter. "But dark color suits winter."I said,"Especially there's no color really during the gloomy weather in the big city. Black is coolest one for the cloudy winter, also the perfect one for the snowy weather. I like Black, but more in winter."

Since warm spring finally came to Berlin, it is time to dress in something colorful again!

Black Jacket by Chanel

Black leather shirt by Loewe

Boots by Topshop

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Blonde boy and white Peony.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 12:46:00 +0000

Once I considered about a pure, neat portrait theme like this : A blonde boy in 20s white deco like sailor uniform is holding a bouquet of white peonies amongst the white background. Without any big contrast, everything looks gentle and vague.

Then I finished it. After I drew many of colorful works, it feels fresh to paint something pure and clean.

Have a nice weekend!

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Transparent white inspirations.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:36:00 +0000

To dress elegantly with different layers of transparent white colors was a new theme for me, it was very fun during the process. Usually I draw this fashion illustration in my blog for fun and to train myself from the daily intense working schedule, this project is becoming a special subject to encourage myself to try different topics, inspirations and styles. It is an attempt at true self expression.

Originally I planned to take theme in a full snowy scene, then I could totally "fade"into the snow, but it was too late to do that :p. Finally, the spring is coming to Berlin!

Hoody dress by Comme des Garcons

Inner dress by Topshop

Necklace by COS

Heels by FIN

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Endless Yearning.

noreply@blogger.com (Xiaoxi Zhang) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 01:54:00 +0000

Unfortunately, I lost my original drawing of "Endless Yearning" that I had painted few years ago. Then I decided to recreate this drawing again for my art collection book. The great thing is I love the new version even more than the old one. The same topic, but with different type of style and emotion.

"Endless Yearing" is not only a name of ancient Chinese poem, but also a type of name of lyric form since thousand years ago. Usually it is like playing games or words, such as the beginning and the ending of the lyrics have to be the same melody for pronunciation. And of course, all of these type of lyrics about the yearning of couples separations.

This drawing wasn't inspired by any of them exactly, but I like the version from poet Li Bai the most. The way he described the surrounding and imagination was unbelievably poetic and romantic. This atmosphere of this poem influenced my drawing.

"...Insects hum of autumn by the gold brim of the well;

A thin frost glistens like little mirrors on my cold mat;

The high lantern flickers;

and. deeper grows my longing.

I lift the shade and,

with many a sigh,

gaze upon the moon,

Single as a flower,

centred from the clouds. "

Have a nice weekend.

Illustration by Nancy.Z