My Top 3 Live Sketching Events




Today I thought I’d share my top three live sketching events because it’s a question I get asked pretty often when explaining my job to people. Some events are memorable because of the incredible guests I'm sketching or the iconic brand I’m working with, and others because the event beginning to end was a night to remember. So without further ado and in no particular order, here are the top events of my career thus far…


Ralph Lauren 

I’ve live sketched custom fashion illustrations for Polo at their SoHo New York flagship and done semi-custom illustrations for events with Polo & Esquire Magazine. I’ve flown to states like Florida, Texas and South Carolina for Lauren by Ralph Lauren, and I’ve live sketched the Ralph Lauren flagship mansion store numerous times. But hands down my favorite live sketching event for the Ralph Lauren corporation was my first time live sketching at the mansion for their annual Miracle on Madison event. It was at the tail end of Covid and Ralph's cafe was still closed so they set me up at the foot of the main staircase, which has an opening to Ralph coffee shop, up a few stairs and it was kind of like a small stage. I was seated at a beautiful carved wooden table that was flanked by grandiose velvet curtains and styled with antler candelabras, fresh roses and large steel orbs. (Shown above) This was so ideal, not because of ego and wanting to be on display but it gave what I was doing a sense of importance and grandeur, as opposed to be crammed into a corner at two side tables or a card table with a tablecloth. This was without a doubt the most beautiful set up for an event I’ve ever had. The guests I was sketching were all dressed to the nines, very chic and “sketch worthy.” From actor/model Eric Rutherford to former Miss America Savvy Shields, to local friends of mine popping by and even the President of Ralph Lauren. It was truly one of my best events to date! 


Anthropologie 


It’s always great to live sketch influencer events but the first Rockefeller Center Tree lighting dinner party for Anthropologie that I live sketched holds a special place in my memory. As a lifelong New Yorker I don’t typically do touristy activities but it was exciting to have a front row seat sort of speak to the tree lighting. The only other time I got close to that was when I was an intern at SNL in college and I watched Vanessa Carlton rehearse for the tree lighting telecast. It was fun to see and sketch influencers that I follow. 

It’s also so fun to draw at events when the guests are dressed up and not just in standard head-to-toe “New Yorker black” ensembles. For this event the guests were wearing looks from the new Anthropologie holiday collection, and styled to perfection. —Which makes for fantastic sketch looks! They also give you epic reactions to seeing their sketches complete! They are content creators after-all and they truly created some amazing content for me this night. Like this this video, and this video, this one and even this one


Vogue 


Ahh Vogue. So many Vogue live sketching events it’s truly impossible to pick just one. Throughout my career I believe I’ve live sketched a whopping 56 Vogue events! Forty of which were when they sent me on 10-city US tours for 4 consecutive years. Sketching for thee one and only Vogue and having them as a client has always been surreal to me. It’s the dream and honestly at every one of those 56 events I had a “pinch me is this real?” moment. All my Vogue events with the exception of one (live sketching for the Vogue staff in their office) has been Vogue in collaboration with another brand, specifically their advertisers. From Clinique, Joie and Piperlime to luxury brands like Dior, Viktor & Rolf and Brian Atwood and beauty brands including Nexxus, Bobbi Brown and La Mer! It’s how my live sketching career began and I’m honored to have them as such a longtime repeat client for over a decade. 


Related posts to check out: 

Live Sketching Custom Portraits for Bridgerton x Netflix



Dearest readers, allow me to regale you with the delightfully splendid event that transpired a week or so ago. I had the pleasure of journeying downtown to partake in a most enchanting endeavor: live sketching custom portraits for the esteemed Netflix sensation, Bridgerton in collaboration with InDelight. What a spectacle it was! The ambiance was positively enchanting, adorned with exquisite floral arrangements, whilst melodies of Bridgerton's beloved tunes filled the air, courtesy of talented musicians in full Bridgerton regalia. The attendees were a sight to behold in their Regency attire, truly embracing the spirit of the occasion.

In the company of luminaries such as the illustrious Adjoa Andoh, known affectionately as "Lady Danbury," and the esteemed authoress behind the Bridgerton tales, Julia Quinn herself, I found myself sketching in a world of elegance and refinement. I reveled in the art of capturing the essence of the Regency era through my portraits, whilst engaging in delightful discourse with the charming guests who graced us with their presence. It was an evening of unparalleled joy and camaraderie, one that I shall have fond memories of.

To see similar live sketching events check out these posts you may have missed:

Live Sketching New TUMI Store



As a Fashion Illustrator, it can be nerve racking going into a live sketching event with a new client but this one went great beginning to end. All the managers, staff and PR team at the new TUMI Madison Ave. flagship store were a pleasure to work with and the set up they had ready for me was perfect. The guests were all thrilled to be there, and to be custom sketched by yours truly. The event went so well that the Tumi team was even gracious enough to ask me to shop the store and choose a new Tumi suitcase as a gift! I chose a beautiful carry-on sized wheely that I could use for my supplies when going to future live sketching events--and they even monogrammed it for me! All in all a fabulous experience and I hope to work with them again.

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Brooke Hagel Artwork Featured on 'The View"



 Friday my artwork was featured on number one daytime talk show 'The View' as one of cohost Sunny Hostin's favorite things! Sunny has been a repeat client turned friend for years and it was trilling to learn she'd chosen my work to be featured on the show! If you missed it, here's a clip: 

I've been overwhelmed by positive responses from the segment airing and of corse the influx of orders in my shop and new newsletter subscribers and followers on social media. 

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Ralph Lauren | Miracle on Madison



Ralph Lauren Invitation-Brooke Hagel Illustrator
I'm thrilled to be heading back to the Ralph Lauren Mansion for Miracle on Madison 2022. It's a fabulous day of shopping for good with 20% of your purchase benefitting charity. In addition to that a custom illustration by yours truly is a gift with purchase! Last year this was one of my favorite events of the whole year! I hope to see you there. 

Past posts you may have missed: 

You're Invited: Lauren by Ralph Lauren



RL Invitation-Fashion Illustrator-Brooke Hagel
 Tomorrow is the first of 4 sketching events I'll be doing for my friends at Lauren by Ralph Lauren and you're invited! The first event is here in NYC at Macy's flagship! The next three I'll be traveling down to Houston, San Antonio and Miami. We're celebrating the launch of new Lauren handbags and as a gift with purchase guests will receive a semi-custom fashion illustration of themselves by yours truly! I hope to see you there. 

Macy's Herald Square

Ralph Lauren Handbag Shop. Main Floor (near Broadway entrance)

Sept 31st, 2022 

11am - 4pm


Past posts to check out: