Chic Sketch is the brainchild of husband wife duo Jordan, Edelson, CEO and founder of Appetizer Mobile, a leading mobile application development agency in NYC, and Emily Brickel Edelson, a published fashion illustrator, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. Users simply upload a photo of their best OOTD and receive a custom, made to order sketch drawn by a real fashion illustrator. Each sketch is created in a quick, fashion illustration style, so you can an original work of art created just for you. Fashion Mannuscript sat down with her to learn more about her fashion sketches.
When did Chic Sketch launch?
Chic Sketch launched in February 2015—the day before NYFW!
How did you get the idea/inspiration for Chic Sketch?
After years of doing fashion illustration professionally I had started to get commissioned to sketch live on paper at fashion industry events like store openings and trunk shows. My fiancé at the time (my now husband and Chic Sketch co-founder) came to these events to watch and saw how excited people got when they received their sketches. He saw their reaction, how they immediately wanted to post it on social media, share it and the strong emotional connection they had to the sketch. We realized there was something to it and that we had to go digital. We merged tech and fashion with what people were getting excited about and started Chic Sketch!
What is your background/experience in fashion and design?
I have always wanted to be a part of the fashion industry since I was little! I went to FIT and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising Management. I interned at Elle magazine in the fashion closet, assisting a freelance fashion stylist who styled commercials, magazines, celebrities, and ad campaigns, and at a trend-forecasting agency called Trend Union. My first job was at Sergio Rossi, where I was the executive assistant to the president. I learned everything, from launching e-commerce platforms to growth into other countries. In 2009 I started my first business as a fashion designer and decided to go down the entrepreneurial path and follow my dreams.
As far as being a fashion illustrator, drawing is something I absolutely love doing, and something I have been doing as a hobby my whole life. I never thought I could make a career out of illustration alone, but it’s something that came organically to me.
Who and what are some of your biggest style inspirations?
Always Coco Chanel, she influenced how so many women dress today. Gianni Versace has always been one of my favorite designers. I love how Alexander Wang translates urban chic. DVF is my ultimate inspiration from how she lives her life to how she grew a global brand. But my biggest style inspiration is really dressing for what feels good to me. Expressing my personality in a way that translates from the boardroom to an event in a fashion forward yet timeless way. Something that is wearable and makes me happy is super important to me when I get dressed or design clothes.
What’s your advice for anyone who might want to start their own fashion app?
First of all, I will say an app is a brand, a company and a product all in one. Although it starts out as this little icon that is among many in your phone, it’s actually a whole company that is a living breathing thing. Research what you are getting into and bring people on board who know how to get you there. Work hard, get inspired, trust YOUR style and your vision. If you see a gap in the marketplace and you know that you can fill it in a really creative and unique way that people actually want and need – then go for it. Pay attention to what people are responding to and give them more of it.
What differentiates your app from others on the market?
Chic Sketch is the only fashion illustration app that custom makes quick sketches for you all by real fashion illustrators. We don’t use filters or base templates at all. Each sketch is drawn completely from scratch and each one is unique. We are more than just an app, we are also a live events service where our illustrators, myself included, will sketch guests live at VIP events or in retail stores as a unique marketing tool for brands to engage with their customers. In short—we elevate your selfie in a custom way!
How would you describe your typical customer?
A woman who loves fashion and social media. She has strong relationships with friends and her virtual friends on a variety of channels. She loves a good OOTD and talks about her favorite discoveries as a trusted influencer among her small or large group of followers. She loves to purchase fun, unique gifts for her besties and family and that’s why Chic Sketch is her favorite (so we’ve heard!).
What are some of your favorite things about your job?
My favorite thing is that I get to sketch live for hundreds of amazing brands and thousands of fashion-loving customers and I can make their day a little bit brighter. Last but not least, I love that through my work we can empower other young artists and aspiring female entrepreneurs to live their dreams as well!
Do you have any large projects you are currently working on?
Chic Sketch is currently working on some exciting promotions for our brand’s new e-commerce shop ChicSketchShop.com. We debuted with the fabulous Lisa Vanderpump, and her charity The Vanderpump Dog Foundation. This is our first promotion launched with ChicSketchShop.com where customers can purchase either a sketch and iPhone case or a sketch and a frame package with 20 percent of the proceeds going toward The Vanderpump Dog Foundation. This is the first of many promotions and we are super excited to see where we can take this platform.
Where would you like to see Chic Sketch go in the future?
We have a big vision for Chic Sketch and so many plans in the making. We will be expanding into more product lines, collaborations, and other exciting ways to surprise and delight our customers! Chic Sketch is growing and we are always on the lookout for more illustrators and talent. We are expanding our team into different markets and working on more collaborations in LA and Miami!
For more information, visit chicsketch.com or download the app in the App Store.
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