Fashion Illustrator Kris Keys will be hosting a fundraising event with Art Village Gallery (410 S Main Street, 38103) this Friday, August 16, at 6 pm in an effort to raise tuition for an Honors Degree Program at the prestigious London College of Fashion. Tickets are $12 in advance ($15 the day of the event), and attendees will be able to shop with Wish Boutique and nosh on delectables from Intoxicaking. There will be an auction, live demos, and Keys will create an illustration during the course of the evening. I’ve been familiar with Keys work (she collaborated with my friend Andrea Fenise on a t-shirt design with Style Junkie and designed a logo for Harlem’s Fashion Row (founded by another Memphian, Brandice Henderson), so I wanted to reach out to her for a quick Q & A about her and the upcoming event. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Keys moved to London in 2011 after receiving degrees in Fashion Merchandising & Design to further her studies with Illustration. Her work has been featured in Essence Magazine, Vogue Italia and more, and with fashion illustration being so intertwined with design (she routinely attends Fashion Week for live paintings during the runway shows), this exciting opportunity to attend one of the top Fashion Universities in the world will help her take her career to the next level. Tell us a little about your background; how did you get into Fashion Illustration? I don’t remember the first place I created, but I started drawing very early as a child. I would often draw as a patient at St. Jude and draw with my Aunt, who was studying Fashion Design at the time. Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration in various places. Lately, I’ve been drawn to a sculpture work by Louise Bourgeois. I reference a lot of Yayoi Kusama‘s work at times as well. Other than that, I take a lot of color inspiration from the sunset and ink washes. How has studying in London affected your work/creative style? Studying in London has been liberating. I’m entering into the British way of designing which is heavily based on research. It has and will allow me to expand my knowledge in so many subjects other than fashion. To learn more about Kris, view more of her work or purchase prints (there’s a Grace Coddington piece that I REALLY REALLY WANT!), visit her website at www.bykriskeys.com. To purchase tickets to Friday’s fundraiser, click here. If you’re unable to attend but would still like to support Kris with her fundraising efforts, click here. The Clarisonic Alternative Beauty Buy | Flower Beauty About Face Foundation with Primer