How to Create a Signature Style as a Fashion Illustrator

Every fashion illustrator eventually faces the same question: What makes my work mine?

For years, I wrestled with this. I admired so many artists ; their confidence, their linework, their beauty, BUT I didn’t want to imitate them. I wanted something that felt like me, even when I had no idea what “me” looked like yet.

There were moments I couldn’t move creatively. I’d get so stuck on trying to be original that I’d stop creating altogether. I felt torn between what I loved, what I didn’t want to copy, and not yet knowing how to express my own voice.

But the truth is, finding your style is not about inventing something new. It’s about uncovering what’s already inside you. And that discovery TAKES TIME.

Here’s how that process started to unfold for me…

Start with what you naturally obsess over! 

For me, that was faces.

From the beginning, I’ve been fascinated by faces ; the structure, the emotion, the symmetry. I come from a background in realism, so I wanted to capture that likeness. But I also have a deep love for cartoons and stylization. I didn’t want to draw hyperrealistic portraits, but I also didn’t want flat, expressionless figures either.

I was constantly trying to balance that fine line, how to make a face look real enough to feel alive, but stylized enough to still feel like art. I’ve drawn hundreds of faces. It was an obsession.
And that obsession led me to clarity.

If you’re not sure where to begin — look at what you can’t stop doing. That’s usually the start of your signature.

Color is everything… even when it’s not “colorful”

I love color. I really do. I’m obsessed with color theory, with palettes, with the emotions certain tones evoke. But I kept coming back to black and white.

Why? Because to me, it felt elevated. Stylish. Luxurious. There’s something about a pure black-and-white illustration that feels raw and refined all at once. I love that you can create depth, drama, and beauty using just grayscale.

So even though I’m passionate about color, my aesthetic started gravitating toward minimalism; black, ivory, blush, with occasional bold accents. It wasn’t a rule. It just felt right.

If you're drawn to a certain aesthetic… lean into it. Don’t fight it because it’s not “trendy” or because others are doing something different.

Inspiration can come from anywhere…as long as you filter it ;)

I’ve always loved French fashion, especially Chanel. The elegance. The tailoring. The understated drama.

But I also have this other side…the Tim Burton side. The dark, moody, almost gothic aesthetic that’s full of storytelling and character. For a while, I thought I had to choose. Do I want to be chic and refined, or quirky and mysterious?

Eventually, I realized: why not both? Why not let my love for high fashion and stylized darkness merge into something completely my own?

That’s when I started making mood boards, one in particular that really shifted things for me included Bridgerton, Tim Burton, and Marie Antoinette. Wild mix, right? But somehow, it worked. It told the story of my taste.

The lesson: dig into what YOU love, even if it seems unrelated. Whether it’s a director, a film, a city, a brand… it all becomes part of your visual DNA. The key is to filter that inspiration through your own lens.

Embrace your evolution <3

One thing I’ve learned is this: your style will evolve. And that’s not a flaw, it’s a sign you’re growing.

If you look at my work from a few years ago to now, it’s completely different. But that’s because I’ve changed. My taste has sharpened. My eye has matured. And I’ve let go of needing to “nail it” all at once.

You might never feel like you’ve arrived at your final style… and maybe you’re not supposed to. Maybe the evolution IS the style.

Your signature style isn’t built in a day. It’s found in the quiet moments, the experiments, the failures, and the things you can’t stop thinking about. It’s made from your obsessions, your contradictions, and your taste.

You don’t have to invent it. You just have to follow what calls you.

Welcome to The Edit

A visual journal from my desk to yours

Welcome — and thank you for being here.

The Edit is a quiet, intentional corner of the internet where I share what inspires me as an artist and designer. From fashion illustrations and creative experiments to branding insights and elegant visuals — this is where I document the creative journey as it unfolds.

It’s not about perfection or algorithms. It’s about process. Beauty. Meaningful design.
Whether you're here for a moment of inspiration, a peek behind the scenes, or simply to enjoy the art — I hope you leave with something lovely.

This is just the beginning, and I’m truly honored you’re reading.
Let’s build this space together — slowly, beautifully, and with intention.

– Ximena