Illustrator Malika Favre is known for her minimalist designs that play with form and color. For her latest project—which happened to be the cover art for The New Yorker‘s Spring Style Issue—Favre took this aesthetic approach to the next level in order to channel a certain kind of iconic style.
Aptly titled Spring to Mind, this graphic employs a tropical palette and jungle of floral motifs to symbolize the start of the season. When coming up with this design, however, Favre looked to much more than Mother Nature. In fact, she found most of her inspiration in the paintings and personal belongings of Frida Kahlo, an artist who made bright hues and eye-catching patterns her signature.
While the female that is featured front and center of the image is not intended to represent Kahlo, the blossoms and blooms that she wears on her head pay playful homage to the artist. In addition to these motifs, Favre creatively captures Kahlo's energy and vibrancy through the use of expressive brushwork and an explosion of color.
Clearly, the illustration needs little help popping off the page. However, animator Mathieu Maillefer has worked his magic to make the image move before your eyes, taking Favre's idea of “energy and vibrancy” to hypnotizing new heights.
The New Yorker‘s Spring Style issue is on stands now.
See “Spring to Mind,” Malika Favre's cover for The New Yorker‘s Spring Style Issue, come to life!
