Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Shepard.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It might be totally sappy but my mom truly is a major factor in what influences me to this day. She was a master patternmaker and a Fashion Week junkie. The woman could whip up a perfectly constructed, haute-couture piece of clothing from thin air and I always had a front row seat. It was pretty awesome. Her impact on me is endless and ongoing, as is my admiration for her talent. Another quality she impressed upon me was her ability to not limit herself. She painted large abstracts on canvas to hang in the living room or she would sketch elegant fashion illustrations in charcoal before stitching together a new dress. She was also an avid writer and surrounded herself with movies and music. She was always signing me up for something and there wasn’t a day of the week I didn’t have scheduled with dance, art, music or other. She taught me how to be an explorer of inspiration and to find the joy in listening to strangers, discovering new stories and experiencing the unknown. All of which, definitely made an impression on me and the things I seek out in my life.
The outcome of growing up in my mom’s workshop exposed an intense curiosity within me to explore many forms of creative expression. I’m endlessly inspired by the female form, bodies in motion, the feel of fabric, patterns and color, impeccable design, soundtracks, details that create a certain style, personalities in their environment and discovering what sets us apart from one another through individual stories. I learned to not limit or confine myself to work within a set parameter. If I can envision it, I want to find a way to bring it into existence. I’m a creative explorer and I like it that way; constantly experimenting with techniques, tools, and toys for ways to express what’s inside my head.
I launched my design studio in 2005, Abby Shepard Studio. I’d just returned from living in San Diego and was feeling particularly inspired. I’d had a vision of the type of work I wanted to produce but it wasn’t until 2007, when I studied fashion at MassArt that I really started to see the vision more clearly. In 2010, I immersed myself into an Illustration BFA at Lesley University’s College of Art and Design and expanded my studies to digital design, creative writing and visual narratives. It was exactly what I needed to tie together all of my creative passions as a Narrative Fashion Illustrator.
My work consists of illustration, graphic design, creative writing and visual arts – sometimes in combination and at other times independent of each other. My drawings are primarily fashion and lifestyle illustrations that capture a distinct personality within a specific setting – to offer the viewer a glimpse into a character’s life through carefully curated scenes. I love to observe how viewers gravitate towards different ones based on their own individual likes and interests – it’s a fun thing to experience as the creator, as if I’m making introductions and new friendships.
My fashion illustrations have coordinating descriptions that set the story of what the character might be thinking about in that moment. These little text designs also have illustrations that help tell the story. It’s part of my process when I’m developing the scenes – as well as finding and sharing real products that I incorporate into the drawings. There’s a lot happening there but it’s all just part of my natural flow when I work.
My artwork is reproduced as wall prints, pillows, coffee mugs, note cards, totes and a variety of decorative products to ‘pretty-up’ a day or room. I also do custom consignments for gifts or for businesses that want to use custom illustrations as decorative marketing materials or for special events.
Having a background in marketing is a major plus. For over 15 years, I’ve been helping clients market their brands – the last 10 of them spent at Harvard University. It’s a tremendous gift to have that experience for my own studio, along with design and creative writing for my own needs but also for clients. It’s great to be independent in that aspect and not have to rely on anyone else to finish a job. I’m proud of the extensive list of services I’m able to offer and being a one-stop shop in that aspect is rewarding. However, I do love interactive collaborations. I’m always up for that!
I should mention one other thing I offer in the studio that’s a bit different from the rest. It’s also the closest I get to my mom’s couture-design talents. I create custom, one-of-a-kind hair accessories for special occasions, gala events and weddings. It’s a branch of the studio I refer to as, ‘Honeysuckle & Scotch’ and due to the amount of time that goes into each piece, I only take on a few consignments a year. It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure, so I like to leave time around each project to enjoy them to the max. Each is entirely distinct from another and they are bound to the client’s own particular style. It’s a fun change-up to my other creative services and it’s the one place where the final outcome is led entirely by the materials as they come together. These pieces have a way of leading me through them, where most of my other work goes the opposite way. It takes a certain type of client to commit to a vision that doesn’t exist yet, but that’s what makes it so cool. The end result is always magical and lasting – and completely unique.
People are always a little surprised by the list of services I offer but in reality, it all makes perfect sense and a beautiful balance; every project is touched by each area of my expertise, as well as the inspirations that drive my creativity – even my custom hair pieces offer me a way to create a style detail to be added to a specific setting to help define a distinct personality within that moment. It’s just that those happen to exist in real life.
Ultimately, I consider myself a maker, an art director of life and a visual storyteller that happens to love how fashion and lifestyle can define a character.
Has it been a smooth road?
What’s a smooth road? Yes. No. Maybe. I guess it depends on the day. There’s always something that could be better or easier. There’s always a moment that more money, information or time would help life in general, but I think the biggest challenge is figuring out who you are and what’s really important. Once I realized that, it made everything easier and helped me understand my strengths (and weaknesses). It gave me a deeper appreciation in my life because I could see they mostly came to exist out of a past struggle or challenge.
Whether it’s a lack of mentorship, a financial challenge, people subconsciously projecting their fears on you or just simply bad timing (yes… I’ve had all of the above), there’s always something lurking when you least expect it. Obstacles are part of the game, especially if you’re trying to carve out a distinct path or vision for your life. In my experience, when you put in the energy, doors have a way of opening up – you just have to be looking to see them.
The best thing I ever did was to realize I wasn’t stronger alone. I surround myself with people I respect and admire. One’s that will help lift me up when I need it. Being able to laugh through a bad day knowing failure is part of every success also helps, but nothing beats positive, supportive people that teach by example. That’s really made the biggest difference through my toughest times.
In 2008, I was one of five co-founders for a non-profit, female mentorship group called Tomorrow’s Women TODAY and was recently named the CBO (Chief Brand Officer) of The Boston Women’s Leadership Council their next tier level group (launched in 2017). It’s a network of truly empowered, and empowering women, that have absolutely given me a positive boost at key moments within my career. Giving back to this group by developing content, supporting outreach, creating marketing and design materials, is truly rewarding. Sometimes offering to help is the best way to receive what you need because of unforeseen connections – and friendships – formed throughout the experience.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Abby Shepard Studio/Abby Loves – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
What I’m most proud of and what I’m known for are the same. I’m known for being a collaborative designer with lots of energy and delivering valuable ideas that come from my uniquely diverse experience.
Whether a project is an art installation for a fashion or shopping event, marketing materials for a women’s conference, art direction for a website or the creation of a custom bridal design; I approach my work in an all encompassing way and I consider how it fits into a client’s world. I take into consideration the setting, the image, the style, the context and the personality because they are all connected.
Being able to offer multiple services and be a ‘one-stop shop’ helps clients streamline their own time and makes the process more creative for everyone. Enjoying the process and my relationships with clients is a key priority, but maintaining a level of enjoyment for everyone involved is something I’m definitely proud of and that’s super rewarding.
What I love most about my work is how creative I get to be for clients and how different each project is. This year alone I created a series of 6’ Fashion Illustrations for a fashion/shopping event, did a custom illustration and Save-the-Date invitation for a Centennial Gala, drafted a logo with handmade fonts for an indie publisher, built a custom table scape for Diner en Blanc Boston, art-directed a website redesign, designed a series of event marketing pieces for a women’s non-profit, helped develop a new suite of products for a client, made a set of postcards for a boutique hotel, redesigned an email newsletter, and custom made Swarovski crystal fabric for a black, birdcage veil to be worn red-carpet style in Redondo Beach, California. There’s never a moment that my mind isn’t looking for a creative solution and the excitement that comes with finding it. It’s part of my nature – it’s my comfort zone.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Most: I love the energy, the diversity, the flavor, the proximity of neighborhood to neighborhood, the easy access to travel, the daily opportunities waiting, the potential to change something in our lives at any moment, the tone, the no-bs communication, the personality and the pace.
Least: I’m not a fan of traffic – it tends to bring out the worst in people. The nicest people can become so dickish like they suddenly morph into Mr. Hyde and lose their damn minds. You know we can see you, right? I’m not saying I’m perfect, I’m just saying we can all be a little nicer out there to each other.
Pricing:
- Wall Prints & Home Decor $100 – $500
- Custom Commissions & Illustrations $250 – $1000+
- Custom Hair Accessories & Veils $250 – $1000
- Fashion/Shopping Event Installation $500 – $1000+
- Brand & Marketing Materials $500 – $1000+
- Custom Fabric, Wallpaper, Wrapping Paper $500 – $1000+
- Brand Consulting $50 – $100 hour
Contact Info:
- Website: AbbyShepard.com
- Email: hello@AbbyShepard.com
- Instagram: @AbbyShepardLoves
Image Credit:
Max Flatow, Randall Garnick Photography, Leah Rahmuglia
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