Juri Hayasaka may illustrate what some people consider as “stereotypical girly stuff,” but she does it with so much technical skill that it’s hard not to be in awe of her work. Featuring fair-skinned girls in flowing dresses, angelic motifs and fantastical animals, it’s as though Hayasaka never outgrew fairy tales and now she makes a living drawing and painting much more sophisticated versions of the things women loved as children.
Juri Hayasaka, who also works under the name Juri the Dreamer, is a Japanese artist who’s currently based in New York. Her illustrative style is a blend of anime aesthetics mixed with Western fantasy art and a dash of contemporary flair. Who would have ever expected to see high heels on a medieval-esque lady?
Hayasaka also injects her images with dark undertones, giving her female fantasy renderings an element of danger.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Girly-fantasy Art
- Opportunity for companies to capitalize on the popularity of fairytales, and feminine motifs, to appeal to a larger market beyond young girls.
- Anime Aesthetics
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to incorporate unique and modern design elements into classic illustrations.
- Dark-fantasy Art
- Opportunity for companies to capitalize on the rising trend of mixing traditional fairytale designs with darker and more sinister themes.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Children's Toys
- Innovative companies can introduce new lines of dolls or action figures, inspired by the intricate and whimsical designs in Hayasaka's illustrations.
- Book Publishing
- Hayasaka's work provides a perfect opportunity for publishers to produce high-end coffee table books or graphic novels for fantasy enthusiasts.
- Fashion
- Innovative fashion brands can leverage the popularity of fairytale art, and design clothing and accessories with similar motifs to appeal to a wider audience.
