Grace Ciao, a 22-year-old student from Singapore, uses a clever and original way to draw her fashion design illustrations. Instead of ink, watercolors, pencils, or fabric, she uses real flower petals. Not only do they serve as substitutes for lines and colors, but they also introduce their own unique textures and forms to her creative ideas.

Ciao clams that she started using flower petals in fashion illustration by accident when she just wanted to preserve the beauty of a dying rose that was given to her by a boy. Now she does these cool drawings constantly. Her favorite flowers are the ones with multiple shades.

“They help me create clothes designs which I otherwise couldn’t have thought of,” Ciao told. “I think petals work really well for fashion illustration also because their delicacy and exquisiteness mimic those of a soft fabric.”

Although Ciao currently studies at business school, she works as a freelancer, creating fashion trends for everyday clothing as well as bridal wear and haute couture.

More info: graceciao.com | Instagram (via)