Live Portraiture & The Traveling Atelier
Before the camera lens dominated the front row, the spirit of fashion was captured by the hand. In the golden age of couture, artists were the primary observers of style, translating the movement of a gown or the atmosphere of a salon into ink and charcoal. Jarno Kettunen’s practice is a contemporary revival of this lost art, bringing the prestige of traditional live documentation into the modern high-fashion landscape.
His approach is a "The Traveling Atelier": an immersive, sophisticated experience that brings the ambiance of a fine artist’s studio directly to global venues. By interpreting the high-velocity energy of exclusive events—from runway shows to private galas—Kettunen creates evocative works in real time that serve as both a captivating live performance and a permanent keepsake.
Live fashion illustration performance during Paris Fashion Week. A collaboration with Manish Arora commissioned by Victoria & Albert Museum.
https://www.jarnok.com/victoria-albert-museum/
The Vision
Kettunen’s work sits at the intersection of fine art and reportage. While photography records a likeness, his rare economy of line evokes the essence of the subject—capturing guest personalities, high jewelry collections, and fleeting backstage moments with an expressive vitality that a camera cannot replicate.
Originally from Finland and trained in the drawing ateliers of Brussels, Kettunen began his journey documenting backstage environments at Paris Fashion Week for houses including Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier. Now based in Manhattan, he brings this performative process to high-end events and creative projects worldwide, celebrating the unique energy of the moment.
Celebrating
the Human
I apply experimental techniques from fine arts—drawing from expressionist traditions and classic atelier practice—to capture the human spirit. I choose to create by hand, even when working digitally, to preserve the tactile quality and expressive soul of the medium.
EVENT ACTIVATIONS
The Traveling Atelier is a self-contained studio installation tailored to the unique environment of each event. Whether for a luxury brand activation, a private gala, or an international wedding, Kettunen provides a sophisticated setup—including signature drawing easels and curated fine art materials—to capture guests and subjects in real time:
• The Signature Commission
Typically producing 3–7 original works per hour, this format focuses on an intimate, authentic fine art experience. Each work is created on-site by hand and signed by the artist. To protect the integrity of the media, works are allowed to cure before being placed in archival presentation packaging. Final collection handoff is coordinated directly with the host. To maximize live artistic output, the client’s event team handles internal guest scheduling and event flow.
• Expanded Capacity & Turnkey Service
For larger guest lists or hosts requiring a fully managed experience, the studio offers a complete turnkey solution. This premium format includes photo-reference capture for high-volume studio completion, turnkey guest management, digital archival files, and personalized collection delivery.
FASHION SHOWS & BACKSTAGE DRAWING
Operating as a discreet, mobile presence, Kettunen documents fashion models with a compact artist kit. He focuses on pivotal moments behind the scenes: models in hair and makeup, the runway lineup, and selects silhouettes of the collection. These minimal, high-speed illustrations capture the mood of the collection through the lens of a contemporary artist, delivering unique works on paper for collectors, design houses, and editorial publications.
COMMISSIONS
Every engagement begins with a standard fixed-rate format covering the live performance, studio materials, and a defined set of original works. For activations requiring travel, event management assistance, post-event studio finishing, custom elements, or commercial licensing, these enhancements are seamlessly integrated into your final proposal.
Bookings & Inquiries
info@jarnok.com
Selected Commissions
Misha Nonoo | Fall/Winter 2015–2016
Commissioned to document the designer’s New York Fashion Week collection, Kettunen provided live reportage from backstage and created a signature illustration for the official show program. The project bridged the gap between physical and digital media; the live illustrations were digitized for use across Misha Nonoo’s website and social media channels, extending the life of the event through the brand's digital platforms.
Saks Fifth Avenue | Cincinnati Store
For this beauty activation in Cincinnati, the "Traveling Atelier" was installed a day in advance to create a curated gallery atmosphere. During the event, guests received hand-drawn portraits featuring applied cosmetic products from the featured collections, presented in customized Saks Fifth Avenue gift boxes.
Jimmy Choo | ArtCAN 2021 Fundraiser Event
A multi-layered collaboration with the luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo and the Atlanta based JCM Foundation to benefit pancreatic cancer research. This exclusive engagement featured a live in-store portrait session at the Jimmy Choo Atlanta boutique and the creation of a t-shirt collection featuring Kettunen’s fashion illustrations.
Chanel | Coco Codes 2017
Commissioned to celebrate the launch of the Spring 2017 makeup collection, Kettunen created live portraits of press members in Amsterdam and Brussels. Using the collection palette as his medium, he produced a series of signed artworks that were presented to guests in custom display cases as exclusive mementos.
