Meet Angelica Hicks - The fashion illustrator who conquered the web

While scrolling your Instagram feed you have certainly bumped at least once into the hilarious illustrations of the young Angelica Hicks. They are coloured sketches which tell a different story every day, mainly based on what happens in the fashion and in the show business. In a short time these ironic and direct drawings have conquered the esteem of many fashion insiders, being constantly reposted and obtaining quite a few front pages.

We fell in love with her and decided to find out who actually hides behind this gifted pen. 8 questions to Angelica Hicks, exclusively for you.

1. Who’s actually the person behind the popular @angelicahicks account on Instagram?

I am someone who enjoys making people laugh and am fascinated by popular culture. I grew up in London and was always more into music and art than fashion, but I’ve been exposed to fashion since a young age as my mother was a fashion designer and the chicest woman I know.  I enjoy taking long walks across the city and watch an unusual amount of tv shows (I like to have the television on while I work, I find it soothing).

2. Why did you decide to focus on illustration?

I decided to take to illustration as an escape from academia. While writing my senior thesis I got overwhelmed by theory and needed a creative outlet. This coincided with fashion week – so I decided, on a whim, to share my comical reviews of the shows on my Instagram profile! This then became part of my routine. I would wake up, do a drawing, go to the library, come home and do another drawing. Illustration gave me the motivation to get my work done as it gave me something to look forward to! 
3. In your drawings you mainly deal with fashion. Has it always been a passion for you?

I wouldn’t say that I have a passion for fashion, more of a fascination with fashion. Its power is insane! Look at the recent footage of the Balmain x H&M collaboration. The stampede of shoppers verges on terrifying! Having said that, I also believe that some designers are truly artists. Both current and past designers. Mary Katrantzou and Prabal Gurung are unbelievably talented. Jacquemus as well. I feel like Jacquemus’ designs would have been as appropriate at a Bauhaus Party in 1920s Germany as they are in an Opening Ceremony store. 

4. When something important happens in fashion journalists write articles, you make drawings. How long does it take you to create one? How would you define your style?

It really depends on the complexity of the drawing and I find it impossible to objectively give a time stamp on my creative process as the time it takes for inspiration to strike is so variable! Sometimes I am more rushed, sometimes I take longer and pay more attention to detail. This is somewhat dependant on my urgency to get a drawing out there. I would define my style as graphic, I have an ability to reduce a person’s face to a key few lines. More and more I find this affecting the way I see people. When I meet people now I find myself imagining what they would look like in my style. 

5. Who’s the character you love to draw the most?

I love to draw Diana Vreeland. She had such an interesting face and she was such a wonderful character! I also love drawing people with interesting mouths. Cara Delevingne and Cher Horowitz:  I like their downturning mouths, fun to draw as quite unusual. My version of Alexander Wang – Alexander Fang is another favourite as I love his hair and he has such a nice and soft yet defined face.  

6. A person you would like to draw and you haven’t yet.

Carlyne Cerf De Dudzeele! She is fab. I have had her at the back of my mind for a while, but I want to do her justice so watch this space... 

7. Recently fashion brands are more and more involved in art. Who would you like to work for?

Oh, so many people! To name a few: Jacquemus, Kenzo, Olympia Le-Tan… But so many more!  

8. If you weren’t an illustrator you’d be… 

I always fantasised about writing. But I suppose I don’t really have the patience for it… I used to tell people that I was going to be a creative director when I graduated. In my defence I didn’t realise at the time how pretentious that sounded. Almost like saying “When I graduate I want to be the editor in chief at a magazine” or the director of a gallery.