Lynne Riding
If you are familiar with Charleston artists, then you probably already know the name Lynne Riding. The established artist has shown her ethereal abstract paintings in countless galleries, but it is only recently we learned of her previous beginnings in fashion illustration. In her early career, Riding earned a BA in Fashion & Textiles from Manchester College of Art and held teaching positions at the London College of Fashion and Falmouth School of Art. Riding worked as a designer in London, but always loved the drawing side of business. Working as a freelance illustrator, she gathered big name clients like H&M, Topshop, and Harvey Nichols—names that are still synonymous with cutting edge fashion today.
Local fashion designer Julie Wheat, owner of Cavortress, by Lynne Riding
After moving to Charleston almost 20 years ago, Riding focused on honing her skills as an abstract artist. Now, she wants to get back to fashion illustration. Her years working in a minimalist technique has tinctured her illustrations in a most wonderful way. Riding works with a minimum, Matisse-like approach to the work. The results are light, spirited, and full of movement – only the most essential elements of the subject are captured and presented to the viewer in a way that they want to inspect every line and stroke.
Riding has noticed a renewed interest in the field of fashion illustration along with the rest of Charleston’s burgeoning fashion industry. Charleston Fashion Week and the Fashion and Retail Management program at the Art Institute of Charleston (of which Riding is a program coordinator) have led to a new crop of consumers interested in the art of fashion. Riding hopes to create more illustrations in the future, getting back to her London roots. One could just imagine how creatively unique it would be if local designers or retailers collaborated with Riding to produce lookbooks or advertising in a climate that is saturated with photography. We hope to see more of her fashion illustration work around town very soon.
Riding’s work can be seen at ridingfashionillustration.com, including a new exciting venture in bridal portraits.
words: Erin Perkins
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