Hayden Williams has constructed a profession that blends conventional fashion illustration with digital strategies, amassing a following that features a few of the largest names in leisure and style. His journey, pushed by ardour, has been formed by a capability to adapt, join and create in ways in which have resonated throughout various industries.
In recent times Hayden has taken to using an iPad for drawing and Procreate as his go-to inventive instruments. In doing so he has modernised a basic artwork kind, sustaining a conventional artist’s eye for color and element whereas staying true to his distinct aesthetic, all of the whereas reaching a rising viewers of followers and artistic collaborations.
Hayden’s work has discovered its manner into the palms of icons akin to Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Margot Robbie. His illustrations have garnered recognition from a few of the largest names in style, together with Donatella Versace, who follows his work carefully, and he even has his personal Bratz dolls. Regardless of these achievements, Hayden stays grounded and open to new concepts – considered one of which is a just-released e book, Hayden Williams: The Fashion Activity Book.
The artwork of getting observed
For Hayden, inspiration is in every single place, from classic Hollywood to modern popular culture, his artwork is rooted in a love for style, magnificence and storytelling. His capacity to seize the essence of a topic, whether or not a real-life movie star or a fictional character has caught the attention of the celebrities he sees as his muses (a sketch of Margot Robbie led to a Barbie film premiere and after celebration invite). His illustrations are stylised and lithe, with nods to Nineteen Forties, Fifties and Nineteen Sixties style whereas feeling very trendy.
Constructing surprising but significant connections with celebrities has propelled Hayden into the limelight. He says this has been a surreal expertise but in addition an eye-opening one which reveals “how artwork can contact individuals”, even when these persons are Rihanna – the singer and style icon stumbled throughout his Instagram and fell in love with the artist’s work.
Hayden is a self-taught artist who drew “religiously” as a baby – “I would draw Disney princesses, Lara Croft, I would watch X-Males cartoons and draw Storm… you already know, the entire feminine characters”. Early on it was a selection between style illustration and animation, and style received. In school Hayden was already constructing a portfolio of style illustrations, which led to finding out at Barking & Dagenham Faculty and Ravensbourne College.
However he tells me formal training wasn’t actually one thing he beloved. Throughout this time he was posting artwork to Twitter (X) and Instagram and getting observed, first by Rihanna, then Beyoncé, which led to Mariah Carey after which Ariana Grande. As extra collaborations and initiatives with style manufacturers got here to him by way of social media, together with Rimmel London, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and extra, the necessity to break free and do his personal factor was too good to withstand.
Discovering the inventive potential of Procreate
To start with Hayden was firmly conventional, working in pencil colors after which marker pens and inks, earlier than finally being inspired to make use of an iPad and a duplicate of Procreate. “It is a lot simpler,” he tells me, explaining how he can work on garment particulars, jewelry and easily including luminous results. He laughs and provides, “I additionally by no means have to fret about my markers operating out of ink”.
Regardless of the digital medium, Hayden’s method retains the essence of conventional style illustration and he works in a linear manner. He enjoys the standard really feel of utilizing Procreate and its brushes, and says although his course of is now digital he works “organically” as he would do with pen and paper. “It nonetheless appears like an natural manner of making,” he explains. “Even whether it is digital, I’m nonetheless actually sketching it.”
Given his love of conventional media it is no surprise his favorite brushes embrace Stucco, the grungy wanting delicate pastel-like brush with a canvas impact, in addition to the usual Pencil brush for sketching and Victorian within the textures set, which is right for “lace detailing”.
Engaged on an iPad means he can have better management and precision over the strains and color, however says utilizing an Apple Pencil nonetheless feels “tactile”, all of the whereas maximising the attain and velocity of his inventive course of.
Hayden says his use of Procreate has streamlined his inventive course of, enabling him to experiment, refine, and share his work effectively within the fast-paced digital period. Nevertheless, he acknowledges the challenges of competing with social media algorithms and shifting digital landscapes.
“After I first joined Instagram in 2012, it was simpler to develop and be seen. Now, it is so saturated, and it’s important to evolve with it,” he says. “I put much less strain on myself to publish every single day, however I keep constant as a result of I like creating.”
A willingness to share his work, even when perfection feels out of attain, has been key to Hayden’s success. Criticism is one thing many artists battle with, however within the digital age it is grow to be a necessity.
“It does not must be excellent, as a result of artwork is subjective anyway,” displays Hayden. He encourages rising artists to embrace the method relatively than concern criticism. “If I used to be to take a seat there listening to everyone that had criticised me through the years I might have simply given up and deleted all the things,” he laughs.
As we discuss it is clear Hayden loves the place he’s and is happy with his successes, however he is additionally conscious of the laborious work that has bought him to this place. Consistency, ardour and perseverance are on the coronary heart of Hayden’s outlook. He is made good use of the positives of social media and having the ability to share artwork and join. However in relation to social media, he has some recommendation.
“Individuals assume, ‘Oh, it’s important to have an enormous following for one thing to occur’, however you by no means know who’s watching you and who may provide you a chance simply based mostly in your expertise,” says Hayden, mentioning it solely takes one individual to fall in love together with your artwork.
For Hayden that one individual was Rhianna (he laughs and admits how loopy that is), who noticed has artwork, adopted him and made contact. Extra celebrities, style manufacturers and alternatives arose. And there are nonetheless names on his checklist he’d like to collaborate with.
“I do know Beyoncé loves my work. I am conscious of that. I have never been in a position to design for her but… I would love to decorate her,” smiles Hayden. Equally, Rihanna, who has lengthy admired his work, stays an artist he hopes to create for instantly. “Despite the fact that we have got this relationship through the years, I have never dressed her but, and she or he’s wished that to occur too.”
Luxurious style manufacturers additionally play a component in Hayden’s future ambitions. “I might like to do one thing with Versace as a result of Donatella follows me, and she or he loves my work too. She follows my Instagram… I despatched her a print of her brother. I did an illustration with them collectively and despatched it to her, and she or he beloved it.”
These connections illustrate Hayden’s success however in addition they allude to how laborious the artist works. Whereas he likes to drop names like I drop meals, Hayden is right here as a result of he believes in himself, tirelessly attracts and paints every single day to enhance and is open to all the things life can provide with glee – we have been chatting for half-hour and he isn’t stopped smiling.
Paint what you like
His success has additionally meant taking management of each inventive and enterprise points of his work. Hayden has discovered so much alongside the best way from sketching throughout class to mixing it up on the Barbie crimson carpet, and gives some recommendation for rising artists navigating the evolving inventive trade.
“Discovering what you’re captivated with is essential,” he says. “As soon as you discover what makes you content, you possibly can flip that right into a profession.” However ardour alone isn’t sufficient. He emphasises the significance of consistency and resilience within the face of criticism.
“Even with all of the success I’ve had, my work nonetheless will get criticised. Individuals choose it aside. However I create from a pure place, and never everybody will find it irresistible – that’s okay. It’s a must to push previous that and preserve going.”
He additionally warns concerning the realities of sharing artwork on-line, from copyright infringement to AI-generated imitations. “Ensure you’re protected,” he advises. “I’ve had the identical authorized crew for over a decade, coping with individuals who steal and promote my work with out permission. Not everybody has entry to attorneys, however be strategic and cautious about showcasing your work.”
However that is to not discourage anybody from posting artwork and utilizing social media in the best way Hayden has to attach and construct relationships for future initiatives. “I am not letting it [AI] cease me from placing the work that I do on the market… I am simply going proceed and pay attention to what is going on on, and never be fearful.” His confidence underscores a perception that artwork, essentially, stays one thing AI cannot exchange or actually replicate.
In an period the place AI-generated artwork is more and more prevalent, Hayden stays assured human-made artwork and creativity will persist. “I see AI getting used extra, however I nonetheless really feel just like the artwork I create can’t be crushed,” he asserts. “There are wonderful issues occurring with AI, however there are all the time giveaways – issues that really feel off. My work is my very own, and I’m going to proceed creating.”
As he seems to be forward, Williams stays as hungry and passionate as ever, evolving with the trade whereas staying true to his creative voice. The artist has already designed outfits for, and dressed, Megan Thee Stallion, Kim & Khloe Kardashian, Kylie & Kendall Jenner, Gwen Stefani, Victoria Monet, Doja Cat, Lizzo, Jourdan Dunn & Winnie Harlow, however says “my aim is to deliver extra of my sketches to life within the close to future”. Whether or not by way of collaborations, new collections, or just the subsequent digital sketch, Hayden’s not letting AI or the rest dampen his love for creating artwork.
“I’m nonetheless not precisely the place I wish to be,” he admits. “However I’m persevering with to push ahead. Staying hungry and passionate is the important thing.”
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