Eat My Handbag

I'd decorated these bag and shoe shaped cookies some months back for a women's fashion glossy - the fash ed had wanted something a bit more whimsical than a straightforward product spread. So these "cookie illustrations" came about, based on tears from the FW08 lookbooks. I had enormous fun doing them.


In the mix: YSL Muse Two; Bottega Veneta multistone knot clutch; Nina Ricci statement necklace; Manolo Blahnik lace up ankle boots; Chanel maryjane pumps; Prada ankle boots; John Galliano earrings; Valentino Petale tote; Alexander McQueen Empire egg-shaped minaudiere; Christian Louboutin patchwork kneehighs...

I think of the process of decorating cookies as not too unlike that of mucking about with a paintbox - coloured royal icings, piping tips and dough stand in for paints, brushes and a canvas. And in this particular instance, even more so than usual, as some of the details are literally painted on using food dyes or luster dusts mixed with drops of vodka. The best tools for the job are fine sable brushes - either the variety intended for watercolours or for applying makeup - as they pick up and deposit colour with the greatest precision. Just be sure they're saved solely and specifically for this purpose - neither reincarnated from a previous life nor leading a double life applying colours of a non-edible nature!