MITFORD AT THE FASHION ZOO

An aspiring fashionista gets a big break.

With able assistance from his wife, author Gieske, fashion illustrator Robertson unveils his first full-length picture book, giving narrative life to Mitford, a bespectacled giraffe who pines to get into fashion-zoo journalism. Though new to children, the silent Mitford is no stranger to the 24,000 followers of “Donald Drawbertson,” dubbed “Instagram’s Andy Warhol” last spring by the New York Post for the Estée Lauder creative director’s wildly successful Internet forays into the worlds of illustration and art. Here, his leggy giraffe’s fashion dreams come true when Cover magazine’s star editor, Panda Summers—clearly drawn to resemble fashion icon Anna Wintour—hires Mitford for a one-week trial as her assistant in the chaotic crescendo leading up to “New York Fashion Zoo Week,” the “most busiest ever time of the whole entire year” at the magazine. Using vibrant acrylics, “very magic markers,” and black ballpoint ink, Robertson sets Panda and Mitford to work, saving the day repeatedly when show-stopping calamities threaten to befall some of Mitford’s favorite designers, Zap Possum, Shark Jakobs, and Mikael Boars. While fashion-conscious readers will appreciate the punning, even those oblivious to the tongue-in-cheek ribbing of fashion-world characters and excesses will marvel at Robertson’s richly animated storyboards with their bright hues and zany, literally animalistic garment ensembles.

Sassy and inspiringly drawn: a funny, captivating treat for the eyes and imagination.