Artwork
Three jackets
Three jackets is a drawing by Emily Sutton. It dates from 2011 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work is a preparatory drawing created as an illustration for the children’s book *Clara Button and the Magical Hat Day*, authored by Amy de la Haye and released in 2011. The narrative takes place within the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the drawing focuses on a detailed study of three distinct jackets featured in the story.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents three jackets rendered side by side, each differing in pattern, texture, and silhouette. By isolating the garments, the artist emphasizes their individuality and the role clothing plays in the book’s imaginative plot, where attire becomes a conduit for magical transformation.
Technique & Style
Executed in drawing media, the piece reflects a clear line quality and careful shading that convey fabric weight and surface detail. The style draws on 20th‑century illustration traditions and folk‑art motifs, evident in the simplified forms and decorative patterns that echo the artist’s stated influences.
History & Provenance
Created by Emily Sutton, a Yorkshire‑born illustrator who earned a BA (Hons.) in Illustration from Edinburgh College of Art in 2008, the drawing was produced as part of the book’s development process. It remains associated with the 2011 publication and the museum‑centric narrative for which it was commissioned.
Context
Sutton’s work aligns with contemporary children’s book illustration, where visual storytelling supports narrative immersion. The setting of the Victoria and Albert Museum provides a cultural backdrop that informs the design of the jackets, linking the artwork to the museum’s own collections of historic garments and decorative arts.
Artist & collection
Artist
Emily Sutton is an English illustrator. She is known for her illustrations in children's picture books inspired by vintage artwork and old objects.
