Connie Lim's Art Blends Softness and Structure in "Elegance in Refusal"
Los Angeles-born illustrator Connie Lim is a featured artist in the new exhibition, "Elegance in Refusal." Connie, creates distinctive and impactful imagery by combining her dual passions and emphasizing traditional drawing techniques.
The exhibition is an art and fashion space co-curated by Bleur Gallery and fashion artist Joanna Layla. The show documents artists drawing London Fashion Week, from the atelier to the gallery, and presents a curation of contemporary London fashion artists and a large-scale collection of live drawings as the 2025 LFW catwalks unveil new collections. The title, "Elegance in Refusal," is a concept note that refers to the "refusal of established norms," found in the "boldness of a brushstroke, the sharpness of a single pencil line." The exhibition is part of an initiative to put artists back on the high street as an alternative to commercial retail shops, a project supported by Westminster Council and The Portman Estate. It will run from September 16th to September 28th at Bleur Gallery on Baker Street.
For the exhibition, Connie created two collage pieces inspired by Simone Rocha’s "dreamy yet subversive aesthetic." She used tracing paper and hand-cut elements, layering translucent shapes with more defined forms to explore the balance of softness and structure, mirroring Rocha's work. Connie explained that the process became a way to play with depth, texture, and light, "translating the sculptural and playful quality of her collections into 3D form." These pieces are a departure from her usual work, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
Connie expressed that it was a great opportunity to be part of the fashion illustration community in London and to showcase her work alongside her peers. She noted that while artists often work separately, this exhibition was a great chance to "come together and celebrate our work." Having thoroughly enjoyed revisiting collage, Connie shared that she will continue to explore this medium as her next step, a development that will lead to more new creations from the illustrator.
Exhibiting Gallery Artists: Helen Bullock, Anjelica Roselyn, Jess Rose Bird, Robson Stannard, Poppy Waddilove, Joanna Layla, Elyse Blackshaw, Connie Lim, Dahren Davey and Beth Fraser.
Venue: Bleur Gallery, 62-64 Baker Street, London W1U 7DF
Dates: The exhibition will run from September 16th to September 28th.Opening Hours: 10am-6pm on weekdays and 11am-4pm on Saturdays.
Connie Lim is a Los Angeles-based illustrator specializing in fashion illustration. A graduate of Art Center College of Art and Design and Central Saint Martins, she combines traditional drawing with a passion for fashion to create impactful work. Currently a lecturer at UAL and other institutions, she has collaborated with major brands including Guerlain, Bulgari, and Chanel.
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