Photo credit: 2:Walter Wall Photography 3: Michael Justin Studios
Searching for a unique interactive experience for your special event?
Live fashion illustration is a stylish, creative way to engage your guests, celebrate their personal style, and add an unforgettable layer of entertainment to your event or reception.
I shine a spotlight on your guests and give them the VIP treatment by creating live fashion sketches and one-color portraits that capture each guest’s look in the moment.
With 7+ years of experience creating live fashion sketches for weddings and luxury brands, I’ve curated a polished, professional setup that blends seamlessly into elevated events. Each illustration can be personalized with your event name, date, or branding — the perfect, custom takeaway your guests will cherish!
I am also available for live product customization, including bag, shoe, and bottle painting brand activations.
*Trusted by brands including Gucci, Dior, Roger Vivier, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Google, and American Express.
Ready to bring your event to life? Click the button below:
Above: Celebrity stylist and T.V. personality Stacy London with a sketch by Deanna Kei at a Roger Vivier event at Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC
I’m available to book for live fashion events and private events (such as Fashion Week events, Brand Launches, Trunk Shows, Galas, Weddings, Bridal Showers, Corporate Holiday Parties, Sweet 16’s, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday parties, and more!) in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania area. Inquire about additional locations. *Available for domestic and international travel.
Contact me (Deannakei@gmail.com) with your event details to receive a price quote or Fill out the Inquiry Form below
Above: Wedding guest with her sketch by Deanna Kei
Sketch of @WednesdayBornOnThursday at Simkhai Store event for Fashion Week; Live sketch by Deanna Kei
Ready to Learn More?!
Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you with a customized price quote for your event!
Jump to: Live Fashion Illustration
Jump to: Live One-Color Portraits
Live Fashion Illustration
Each live wedding sketch package comes with a detailed illustration bride and groom in their ceremony looks
Live sketches of guests at the Maybourne event at Printemps
Sketch of @WednesdayBornOnThursday at Simkhai New York Store event for Fashion Week; Live sketch by Deanna Kei
Simkhai fashion week event guest, holding her sketch by Deanna Kei
Deanna Kei live sketching at the Simkhai Store
Deanna Kei Sketching live at the Simkhai NYC store event for Fashion Week
Live sketching for Maybourne at Printemps NY
Live wedding guest sketches by Deanna Kei - at Hastings on Hudson Venue
Wedding Illustration by Deanna Kei 2023
Live guest sketches for Barbie’s 65th Anniversary celebration inside Fao Schwarz, New York City
Wedding Illustration by Deanna Kei 2023
Photo credit: Rebecca Ou Photography - at 620 Loft & Garden
Live wedding guest sketches by Deanna Kei - at Hastings on Hudson venue
Live Illustration by Deanna Kei during Tod’s store event, East Hamptons
Live guest sketch for CheckedUp client event
Live wedding guest sketches by Deanna Kei
Live bridal shower guest sketch by Deanna Kei
Live bridal shower guest sketches by Deanna Kei
Shoppers with their live sketch by Deanna Kei at Alice + Olivia, NYC
Shopper holding her sketch by Deanna Kei at FOUNDRAE , New York
Shoppers holding their live sketch by Deanna Kei at Bloomingdales x Tutu Project event
Live sketch by Deanna Kei at Bloomingdales x Tutu Project event
Live guest sketches by Deanna Kei for a wedding, NJ
Guest holding his Live Sketch by Deanna Kei at Tommy Hilfiger x Zendaya pop up
Guests holding their sketch by Deanna Kei at a Bergdorf Goodman client event
Gucci client sketch by Deanna Kei at the Gucci Beauty Event in Nordstrom, New York
Tamsen Fadal & Ira Bernsetin Wedding illustration by Deanna Kei
Gucci client sketch by Deanna Kei at the Gucci Beauty Event in Nordstrom, New York
Live One-Color Portraits
Guests holding their sketch by Deanna Kei at a CheckedUp event in Philadelphia, PA
Navy in portraits for a CheckedUp event in Philadelphia, PA
Guest holding her sketch by Deanna Kei at a CheckedUp event in Philadelphia, PA
Guest holding his sketch by Deanna Kei at a CheckedUp event in Philadelphia, PA
Guest holding her sketch by Deanna Kei at an Alain Mikli Paris store event in NYC
Interested in getting a quote? Submit your details in the Inquire About Booking form above and I’ll get back to you shortly!
Live Digital Illustration, Live Bag Painting & Live Product Customization
In addition to live fashion sketching, I offer a variety of interactive live art experiences, including digital illustrations delivered instantly to guests, live bag painting, and other luxury customization activations. Each experience can be tailored to complement your event theme, branding, and guest experience.
Featured events: Live digital sketches for Klaviyo, Givenchy, and Mavi, NYC
Live bag customization by Deanna Kei for a Bergdorf Goodman holiday event, NYC
Bottle customization for skincare brand Sulwhasoo’s activation, NYC
Brands + Companies I’ve sketched live for include:
Luxury Brands: Gucci - Dior - Givenchy - Simkhai - Burberry - Boss - Eberjey - Giorgio Armani - Mavi Jeans - Tommy Hilfiger - Tod’s - Sanctuary - The North Face - Foundrae - Alice + Olivia - Tanya Taylor - Mac Duggal - L’Agence - Poetry - Roger Vivier - Brunello Cucinelli - Michael Kors - Alain Mikli Paris - Roche Bobois Paris
Luxury Retailers: Sak’s Fifth Avenue - Nordstrom - Bloomingdale's - Bergdorf Goodman - Macys - The Shops at Riverside - American Dream Mall - Iconic Timepieces - Mitchell Stores - Bucherer - Acuarela
Fragrance, Skin care, Cosmetics: Kayali - Stila - Sulwhasoo - Sephora - Gucci Beauty - Maybelline - Bobbi Brown - Diptyque - Tarte - Etat Libre d'Orange - Valentino - Armani Prive - YSL Beauty - Prada
Hospitality and Travel: Pendry - First In Service - One & Only - Marriott Bonvoy - Rosen Resorts - Alhi - Maybourne - JW Marriott Essex House
Other: Mattel - Porsche - American Express - Luxe Magazine - Subzero, Wolf, & Cove - Century21 Awaye - Google - Rokt - Adyen - Digitalundivided - Attentive - Nadel - CitiGold - Group M - Flow Traders - CheckedUp - Be Inspired PR - Agentry PR - Purple PR - Black Flower Agency - Company X Marketing - LaForce - Criteo - Benchmark Builders - LIM College - Feedzai
Celebrities I’ve sketched for include: Gigi Hadid - Stacy London - Kristin Chenoweth - Blake Lively - Amal Clooney - Tamsen Fadel - Danielle Olivera - Margaret Josephs - Carl Clemons-Hopkins
Live Event Illustration FAQ:
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What does pricing look like? Pricing for live sketch sessions is based on session hours, event date, and location/travel distance. Please submit an inquiry to receive a pricing quote for your specific event.
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Popular dates can fill quickly, but I can accommodate last-minute bookings when availability allows.
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My live fashion sketches are done in marker so they dry instantly and guests can take them immediately. I can also work with watercolors upon special request.
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I typically work on 8 1/2” x 11”, 5 1/2” x 7 1/2”, or 5” x 7” paper. I can also accommodate most special requests.
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I can work either way! I love to let the natural flow of the event dictate the best method, and can switch back and forth if needed. If the host has a preference, I can accommodate it!
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Guests don’t have to hold a pose or stand still. They can continue their conversations. I just ask that they face forward so I can see them and their outfit while I’m sketching.
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My first live sketching event was in 2018! I’ve enjoyed sketching over 1000 guests since then! Before working as a live event artist I worked as an apparel designer for many years.
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I can! All of the illustrations on my site are examples of my personal work, but I’ve also carefully curated a roster of select artists who I love to team up with when the event calls for extra support. Should you wish to book more than 1 artist, I can help select an additional artist who’s style and workflow will best compliment your event.
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It doesn’t affect the sketch timing or process whether they're drawn as a couple or group on the same page or each drawn individually on separate pages.
If you have any other questions please fill out the inquiry form above, or send an email to deannakei@gmail.com. Please include your event type, date, location (venue or city/state), and duration time in your message. I look forward to hearing from you! Can’t wait to chat! - Deanna Kei
Jump back up to ‘Inquire about Booking’
Some of the beautiful venues where I’ve provided live illustration include: The Plaza Hotel, The Essex House by JW Marriott, The Garrison, The Glasshouse, 620 Loft & Garden, New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Wythe Hotel, The Foundry, Printemps New York, Boom at The Standard, Dirty French, The Ryland Inn, TPC Jasna Polana, The Maritime Parc, The River Café, Nobu Downtown, Gallow Green, The Loeb Boathouse, Wave Resort & Spa, The Westin Governor Morris, Tavern on the Green, Central Park Boathouse, The Park Chateau, The Venetian, Nanina’s in the Park, The Meadow Wood, The Imperia, Molos Restaurant, and more.
I’m available for live wedding and event illustration throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and beyond.