The Haines Effect: Runway Relevance Meets Street Chic

From illustrating a look on the street to inspiring a pattern for garment production, Richard Haines' work spans the life cycle of the fashion industry. Haines started sketching when he was five years old, but after moving to New York he quickly realized the world of fashion illustration was a dying art form and opted instead for a career in fashion design.

After years of working with top name brands like Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis and Bill Bass, Haines' career has come full circle - back to illustrations. Haines has a deep understanding of how designs evolve from concept to production, though these days he's on the opposite side of the runway, sketching the garments with a keen eye for details of form, fabric and function.

From interpreting the latest collections to designing fabrics for well-known fashion houses like Dries Van Noten, Haines' latest turn is keeping him in demand. Recent projects include style-spotting features for Mr. Porter and honoring fashion icon Charles James, about whom he posted on his Instagram in relation to the current exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From his Bushwick-based studio, the artist, blogger and father injects style into everything he touches. "It's an interesting process to move to New York City to illustrate, switch careers to design, leave design and then in a new capacity find myself back in the world of 'product.,'" says Haines. "Never say never!"

Haines documents his projects and daily fashion sketches on the wildly popular blog What I Saw Today. His varied list of clients includes Prada, J. Crew, Mr. Porter, The New York Times Style Magazine, GQ and GQ Italia. When he's not actively sketching or meeting with clients, he's most likely on Instagram sharing his take on style.

Dries Van Noten

Haines went back and forth with the Dries Van Noten crew leading up to his most recent collection debut in Paris. When the Belgian fashion house finally told Haines that Dries Van Noten wanted him to work on the spring/summer 2015 collection, he was ecstatic.

"To work with an icon like Dries was pretty amazing. I have loved his work for such a long time, so to do this collaboration with him is a dream come true," says Haines.

Haines' illustrations were printed onto various fabrics and used in an array of designs on pants, sport jackets and shorts. A tan shirt printed with outlined nude bodies dancing and a burgundy top with a golden "R" was a highlight from the Paris fashion show.

The week after Paris Fashion Week, Haines contrasted the collaboration, specifically the tan shirt, with a nude illustration of photographer Marcus Morris during a sketching session in his studio.

Jack Spade

To celebrate the launch of Jack Spade's latest collection, Haines created a series of illustrations that were printed in the book "The Long Road." The originals were for sale at Jack Spade's Bleecker Street location in June with proceeds benefiting the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Haines captured desert images including cacti, canyons and road signs for the project - yet again permeating the fashion industry in new ways. Small books with the illustrations are on display at Jack Spade namesake stores while supplies last.

Capturing Charles James and Cecil Beaton

The newly renovated Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art currently features the exhibit Charles James: Beyond Fashion. The retrospective of James' work, specifically in the detailed and often mathematical construction of ball gowns, includes an iconic image by famed photographer Cecil Beaton. The photograph, which was taken in the 18th century drawing room of Manhattan antiques dealer French & Company, is a masterful composition - one that Haines reinterprets for a new generation.

Hello Mr.

The new magazine for "men who date men" collaborated with Haines to create a whimsical urban illustration featuring Will Leather Goods.