Not so long ago fashion illustration was regarded as a redundant medium. The darkroom may have taken over the drawing board since the 1950s but it was by no means a closed chapter. By the 1990s top glossies such as Wallpaper* and Vogue Nippon conjured up a new wave of illustrators and from there the métier has blossomed.

A new generation of illustrators brought along a new range of techniques, as well as ink, gouache and collage there is Illustrator, Photoshop and mixed media. Whether computer generated or drawn by hand the appeal is personal and style is immediately expressed. Illustrator Izumi Nogawa has combined layers of influences and her own unique sensuous style is the result.

From geishas to modern day sirens, Izumi combines her foxy ladies with exotic blooms which gives a surreal dream-like quality to her work. Based in Tokyo her illustrations regularly frequent the Japanese glossies gaining her many fans along the way. Izumi studied at Joshibi University of Art and design, followed by a two year stint working as a graphic designer for Dream Cast software. She began her illustration career in 2001 and has not looked back since.

Thanks to the World Wide Web Izumi’s appeal is starting to spread beyond the shores of her homeland and this week her ‘Tokyo Burlesque’ exhibition will hit central London. Courtesy of AKA and the Dutch Uncle creative management agency, the exhibition will be on show from this Wednesday (17^th August) evening. Comprising of prints, banners and animated presentations the East will literally arrive in West Central Street, WC1.

Well worth a visit for all you illustration addicts out there.

To see more of Izumi’s work/profile visit: http://www.quietblue.org

Tokyo Burlesque by Izumi Nogawa

When: Exhibition launch party with Japanese Slipper cocktails and guest DJs - Wednesday 17th August 2005 – 1900 – 2100

Where: AKA, 18 West Central Street, London WC1 (Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road or Holborn)

Admission: Free

Dress Code: Dress up or dress down but no suits...

Interested in exhibiting?

AKA London is always looking for new and exciting art and photography to exhibit. Recent exhibitors have included Alistair Berg, Robin Stanley, Karen Selby, Jamie Baker and Soraya, in addition to the 'DJs by Lopez' book launch, plus an exhibition by Chris Lopez and the Thames & Hudson 'Graffiti World' book launch. If you would like to put forward a proposal for an exhibition, AKA would love to hear from you. Please contact:

By JoJo Iles