Cool Hunting

by Julie Wolfson

No longer limited to superheroes or adorable animals, the new wave in coloring books offer the same creative outlet on an artsier scale with illustrations by talented artists like Nina Chakrabarti, who came up with the upcoming book "My Wonderful World of Fashion: A Book for Drawing, Creating and Dreaming." (Click on images for enlarged view.)

Asking budding fashionistas to open their art supplies and imagine working in the world of haute couture, Chakrabarti provides 272 pages dedicated to clothing design, patterns and accessories. More than a simple coloring book, the illustrations make for a lesson in the history of dress combined with sharp how-to-guides for creating saris, head scarves and more.

Much like how artist Andy J. Miller's whimsical "Yellow Bird Project's Indie Rock Coloring Book" sneaks a peek at the lives of up-and-coming musicians, the Calcutta-born, London-based illustrator's book details the fashion industry.

Launching 23 September 2009 from Lawrence King Publishers, "My Wonderful World of Fashion: A Book for Drawing, Creating and Dreaming" is available for pre-order from Amazon.

via Oh Joy!