UsTrendy Trendsetter of the Week: Holly Nichols

Boston based Fashion Illustrator, Holly Nichols lets her imagination run wild and cooks up the type of drawings bloggers only dream about. Among her subjects are versions of stylish products like Tory Burch perfume, decorative preppy florals and satin lip smooch stains, and power dolls dressed to kill in haute couture gowns. Holly’s vibrant representation of textures on the model’s dresses even matches the depth of their rich hairstyles. The magic behind Holly’s touch is that she takes child-like images and develops them into sophisticated art that awakens every women’s dollhouse fantasies. Holly’s creative work is a unique way of inspiring trends in a fashion blog-obsessed world, and it’s the type of work that earned her a spot on our Boston 50 Most Fashionable list! Read more about her below!

-What has been the highlight of your creative career so far?

I feel as if I’m presented with new opportunities every day, but the highlight was being invited to NYFW to sketch with TRESemmé

-Do you have any advice for aspiring artists and illustrators such as yourself?

Do what feels natural. Create the art you enjoy making the most. Others will become attracted to your sincerity. Sketch something every day and sketch something that feels like a challenge subject every day!

-How would you describe your personal style? Does it influence your work? 

My personal style is very different from the girls I draw. It’s hard to concentrate on my work when I’m uncomfortable, and I work alone in my studio, so most days I’m in an oversized sweater and leggings! Though most of the girls I sketch wear outfits I could only dream about, I do have a group of girls that are in comfortable everyday clothes. 

-What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

Before I did this I wanted to be a baker and I loved making elaborate cupcakes!

-Any cool beauty or fashion advice you’ve recently received?

-The best piece of fashion advice i’ve received was to invest in a few well-made staple items, even if it means spending a bit more than you normally would. 

-Do you have a muse? Any cool social media personalities you admire/follow?

I get a lot of my inspiration from the runway, but I’ve been following fellow Boston babe Pam Hetlinger https://www.instagram.com/pamhetlinger/ and I love her effortless style!

-If you could collaborate with any designer/boutique on UsTrendy, who would it be? 

I think “Little Lace” is lovely! Love cozy sweaters like this

-What are some of your fav places to chill/party/eat in Boston?

 My friends and I love The Liberty Hotel and their Fashionably Late events on Thursdays! I recommend making reservations at “Catwalk“, and catching one of the fashion shows!

♥Check out some of Holly’s work below and on her site!

♥Follow her on Instagram!