A fashion illustration tribute

Illustration by Nalini Arora

For almost two years, I’ve been teaching a footwear design class every quarter at FIDM. Due to my freelance work, I am only able to teach one class a quarter. The classes I teach are design and development footwear classes, and technical footwear design. 

This winter quarter, I was not going to be teaching a class. I was to start in the Spring. During the holiday break, I received heart breaking news that one of the most amazing instructors at FIDM passed away…the unbelievably talented, and fashionable Ms. Nancy Riegelman. My heart was broken. She was my instructor when I was a student at FIDM. I remember her beautiful demos in class. Her hand just moving so elegantly, and works of art making its way on paper. I was always in awe of what she could draw on the spot. 

 I always aspired to be a strong illustrator. After graduating, I continued to take illustration classes, and life drawing classes because she always said practice will make you better. 

 Due to the fact that she passed, and there was no instructor for the footwear sketching class, FIDM asked a few teachers to help out.  I was nominated to teach the majority of the class due to my love for fashion illustration, and my expertise in marker rendering. 

 I was very excited to teach a subject I love so much. I look forward to teaching the students what Nancy taught me, and share her amazing books such as this and this.  I hope to make Nancy proud, and be as patient, and inspiring as she was to me. 

Fashion illustration has always been a passion of mine. I’m looking forward to seeing where this venture takes me.