Ep. 244: Deanna Kei

Deanna Kei is a NYC based fashion and beauty illustrator, specializing in live event art and detailed fashion branding, blending luxury fashion with New York street style. After a decade as a womenswear designer, she transitioned into illustration, and now works with brands such as Gucci, Dior, Burberry, Givenchy, and more. Her commissioned illustrations have been gifted to celebrities including Gigi Hadid and Blake Lively. Deanna collaborates with luxury fashion and beauty brands to create elevated, storytelling-driven illustrations and imagery that inspire customer engagement while honoring each brand’s identity. She is also known for her live guest sketching at NY Fashion Week events, brand activations, luxury retail experiences, galas, corporate events, private parties, and weddings. Her live sketches celebrate guests’ unique personal style, capturing the details that make each look memorable. Since her first live sketching event in 2018, Deanna has illustrated thousands of guests. Her work is deeply influenced by her background in fashion design and her upbringing in New York City. She is a Fashion Institute of Technology alumna with over a decade of experience across women’s contemporary sportswear, outerwear, athleisure and performance, juniors, childrenswear, and menswear design categories, as well as professional styling roles. Deanna’s illustrations have been featured across television commercials, magazines, newspapers, digital platforms, market week promotions, press trip packages, and live fashion week events. Her extensive knowledge of garment construction, fabric, silhouette, and fit informs every project, allowing her to approach illustration, design, and styling with precision and intention. Through her art, Deanna aims to encourage confidence, individuality, and positivity—celebrating personal style as a powerful form of nonverbal communication, always with a distinct New York edge. For more information or to discuss a new project contact [email protected]!