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InspirationIllustration

Dreamy Saigon: Tropical illustrations of sleepy hot afternoons in Ho Chi Minh City

Babeth Lafon is a beauty and lifestyle illustrator from Paris currently based in Berlin. Her work is characterised by pastel colours, layers of transparent washes and brushy textures which she creates for fashion magazines, cosmetics packagings and luxury brands.

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Illustration of a woman's profile holding a magazine, surrounded by collaged fashion illustrations, tropical plants in circular frames and fashion magazines pinned to a pale blue wall

In her series Dreamy Saigon, Babeth explores her heritage: "I was born in Paris from French/Vietnamese parents who fled the war in the '70s, and as a teen, I’ve always thought of Saigon as my 'real' hometown (both my parents were born there).

"Until I went backpacking there for a few weeks as a young woman, and realised that Paris was definitely my one and only hometown. I felt like a stranger in Vietnam, much more so than all the constant racism I grew up with in France could ever make me feel.

"Still to this day, I have fantasies of tropical windows, sleepy hot afternoons and colourful details mixing up with my actual teenage years memories and obsessions – a mash-up made of bits and pieces from my real teenage bedroom in Paris and a dreamy Saigon, one I’ll never get to see. Now at last, it exists here, and strangely I feel more complete."

After graduating from the Art and Design School Ecole Boulle in Paris, Babeth worked as a graphic designer and art director in France and Austria before trying her luck in Berlin. Her work has appeared in Harper's Bazaar, Architectural Digest, Glamour and Marie Claire, and some of her clients include L'Oréal, Chaumet, L'Occitane, Bare Escentuals and Stella Artois.

Via direct submission | All images courtesy of Babeth Lafon

Repeating pattern of pastel green background with pink handbags, cannabis leaves, metal watering cans, dried flowers, "Paris" text and cosmetic-style stickers
Illustrated interior scene with stacked books topped with a striped cactus and hanging ornaments on a shelf, potted plants, woven baskets and patterned floor against a pale blue background
Repeating pattern of illustrations by Babeth Lafon featuring black heeled shoes, tropical plants, blue handbags, postcards and text on pink background
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