FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: BLACK WITH PINK, GREEN AND RED ACCENTS

Hello dear readers and fellow bloggers! Time for another Fashion Illustration Friday, a regular art feature on my blog where I share my fashion illustrations. If you're a regular visitor, you know what I'm taking about. Your gal loves art as much as fashion (if not more), so it makes sense there is space for both on her personal blog. 

Today was a long and emotional day, and maybe some time I'll tell you all about it. At the moment my heart is full. I have a lot to be grateful for, but also a lot of challenges ahead. It's a rather long story that I might tell some day. However, it won't be tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe I'll go back to this post and add more writing to it. Until then, let's get back to the topic of this post and that's- fashion illustration.

This time I'm bringing two new fashion illustrations to you. Both feature dark toned outfits with lighter accents. The medium is acrylic paint on mixed media paper. Both outfits came from my imagination, and I didn't use a reference of any kind. 

In fact, I sketched these fashion illustrations ages ago and just left them like that. They were originally two different designs, and you'll see what I mean when you check out 'the work in progress collages.' I liked the designs, but as I started adding paint, I kept adding layers to these outfits. It might have something to do with the fact that it's winter now.  The result was what you'll see in a minute. Scroll down to see and read more. 









These two outfits weren't inspired by any runaway look, but rather they came from my imagination. In other words, they were improvised fashion illustrations. I  might have been inspired by fashion items I have been wearing lately, like the long green vest and one pair of dark leggings I wear pretty often. You'll see what I mean later. This post won't just be about my fashion art, I'll also show you how I shop my closet.

I always say that having a fashion blog is a great advantage. Blogging has inspired me to be more sustainable. I feel like being a (hobby) fashion blogger has really made me appreciate the clothing items I have in my closet. It's like having a visual diary where you record your fashion history. 

When you take in consideration that I sometimes illustrate my own outfits, then you can see how I also have an artistic record of things I have worn. There are a number of fashion illustrations I made that feature items from my closet and outfits I actually wore.

That might not be the case with the two fashion paintings I'm sharing today, but still as I said- they were still probably inspired (at least in some ways) by clothing items I love wearing. So, let's talk fashion illustration!



FASHION ILLUSTRATION LINKS 

My last Friday illustration post was published last month and it wasn't exactly a proper Fashion Illustration Friday as it featured an old illustration of mine, but still maybe it counts!

I shared some new holiday fashion illustrations to wish you Happy New Year, though!

In December, I also shared a happy holidays posts with my art!

In December 2024, I also shared a fashion illustration of my khaki outfit I wore for a visit to Čapljina.


This outfit worn recently on my blog also reminded me of these illustrations in that it's black bit with some fun details- in this case gold details!



MORE LINKS TO POSTS ABOUT FASHION ILLUSTRATING 
 DIGITAL RETOUCHING WITH PAINT 3D,  LADY IN A LILAC DRESS and BALL PAINT FASHION ILLUSTRATION. 
FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: WATERCOLOUR PENCILS -IVANA'S FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY- FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: INSPIRED BY COLOURS OF AUTUMN- A GIRL IN A RED GOWN: FASHION ILLUSTRATION OF THE DAY-CUSTOMIZING A NOTEBOOK WITH A FASHION ILLUSTRATION- FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: ILLUSTRATING A BLACK DRESS FROM DOLCE & GABBANA COLLECTION- 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR FASHION ILLUSTRATION SKILLS- HOW TO CREATE A 3D FASHION ILLUSTRATION DRESS WITH DRY FLOWERS?- FRIDAY FASHION ILLUSTRATION: HAT OBSESSED -FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY INSPIRED BY SUMMER STYLE- FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: SUMMER TO AUTUMN TRANSITION- FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: ILLUSTRATED TOTE BAGS-FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: HAT OBSESSED - FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: NEW AUTUMN INSPIRED ART FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: MY INSPIRATIONS



AND SO ON.... I mean if I kept including links with my fashion illustration post, we'll be here all night. Just search my blog if you want to see more. 







Besides my clothing items and outfits, I was also inspired by medium itself. Acrylic paints allowed me to add fine details to this fashion illustration. I added pink, red and green flower embroidery and dots to the darker designs. 

Here I painted a black flared jumpsuit completed with a long dark green vest with statement sleeves.
As you can see I added abstract flowers onto the jumpsuit and dot details on the sleeves.
It was relaxing painting these designs. 
I kept adding more colours and designs onto the black jumpsuits.

I have actually painted many of my own flared trousers with textile paints over the years, creating a similar pattern that is similar to embroidery. 

So, you could say that this fashion illustration actually draws on DIY fashion projects I have actually done over the years!





THE MAKING OF COLLAGES

How these fashion illustrations came to be? 



AI art has no 'work in progress' stages because it's just copying of artists done by computer software. 

Real art on the other hand - undergoes a journey.

It has 'work in progress' stages. It has a journey. It tells a story. 

It's real. Alive. It means something. It was created by a human being. So, it carries within itself the story of that human being. 

Besides the meaning to be found in colours, symbols and everything that makes art art - there is that human component. 







Yesterday, I was a in a little bit of a hurry to publish this post, so I didn't have the time to really elaborate on it all, but now I have a bit more time. 

I love painting with acrylic paints, so I sometimes also paint fashion illustrations with acrylic paints. I think it gives them a richer and unique look.

There's no official medium for fashion illustration, but some mediums are used more often than others. Among the most used mediums are: copic markers, coloured pencils and watercolours.

On my blog, however, I have used a variety of mediums to work on my fashion illustrations. 


I was never afraid to experiment it seems! I think it has made my fashion illustrating style quite unique.



Sometimes I illustrate runaway looks, sometimes my own outfits and sometimes other bloggers!






So, tell me what do you think about these fashion illustrations? Can you imagine wearing outfits I have illustrated? 





SHOPPING MY CLOSET AND FIGURING OUT LAYERING

In these images you can see me shopping my closet, trying some things on (like the protagonist in Clueless I'm trusting the camera more than the mirror) and figuring out winter layering.

I bought a new pair of light pink high heeled boots recently and they have inspired me to wear more light winter outfits. 

As you can see, I have started by putting on a pink dress with polka dots. I have bought this dress in summer when I did that second hand haul and bought a bunch of things for approximately ten euroes.

I haven't had the chance of wearing this dress before on my blog, so I decided to try it on at home- in an effort to figure out winter layering. Of course that I wouldn't wear it on its own in this cold, but I would layer with blazers and coats. 

My home is very warm, so I wasn't cold taking these photographs and trying on outfits. 

This trying on clothes aka 'shopping my closet' was also productive, because it gave me ideas for a number of outfits I ended actually wearing! Below you can have a look at all the outfits I created around this pale pink set of heels and this pale pink polka dot dress. 


SUSTAINABLE FASHION FILES- SHOPPING MY CLOSET


So, what is new here? The pink heels are 'new new', and the pink dress is new to me (bought in a second hand shop). The other items have been worn many times on my blog. 

So, let's link them up!



THE RED & BLACK BELLISSIMA SEMI-PLAID SKIRT

THE BELLISSIMA SKIRT 

 In this 2021 post, you can see two ways to style this black and red skirt. Both of the outfits you'll see if you follow the link,  feature this semi-plaid skirt from a local designer brand Bellissima (link neither sponsored nor affiliated). In case you want to buy clothing that is made in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this is a good local brand to check out and you can order both online or find it in local malls. I love to support local artists and designers when I can. My outfits in this post showed two different ways to wear this skirt. I wore the first styling for a long walk around the city and the second one for a lunch date with my husband. Once again I shopped my closet. Below I included links to my previous looks with these items (both for fashion inspiration and sustainability reasons). 



and .....

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2015/05/two-ways-to-style-red-vintage-shirt-dva.html


https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2024/12/33-ways-to-wear-short-camel-coat.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/12/plus-fifty-ways-to-wear-mary-jane-heels.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/05/what-i-wore-six-outfits-one-bag.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2025/02/fashion-illustration-friday-black-with.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/02/six-winter-outfit-proposals-sustainable.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2014/10/etno-selo-u-izgradnji-ethno-village.html
https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2022/04/plus-30-ways-to-wear-red-blazer.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2025/02/fashion-illustration-friday-9-ways-to.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/04/7-outfit-ideas-for-transitional-weather.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2015/11/river-of-dreams-rijeka-snova.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2015/03/something-old-something-new-outfit-post.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2019/01/how-to-style-red-puffer-capljina-bih.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2015/05/ljubuski-part-one-prvi-dio.html




BELLISIMA SEMI PLAID BLACK AND RED SKIRT 

So, I seem to like styling it with statement sleeves.  See also how I wore it  HERE, HERE  and HERE!





I think this black and red skirt looks great paired with this polka dot dress. Regular readers of my fashion blog know that I often layer my dresses under my skirts. It creates a clean silhouette. This is totally something I could wear in Spring. However, before Spring arrives I will need more layers to pull of this outfit. So,  I added a black blazer and a black coat to finish off this look. Both items are from my closet and here are the links to prove it.


THE BLACK COAT (Tally Weijl,  very old)

See how I wore it in an all black styling ( apart from a colourful scarf)-the one where I'm posing with our neighbourhood cat. 

Back in 2019, I shared plus thirty ways to style this short black coat. Since then, I must have worn it as many times if not more. Realistically, I might be over 100 wears with this one. They might not all be documented on this blog, but I'm sure even the documented (aka photographed) wears are over 60. I need to count them all one of these days!


THE BLACK BLAZER- handmade and handsewn by Izeta

If you can afford it, get yourself a tailored (black) suit. It's the best wardrobe investment you can make. Years ago, I had a suit made for me by a local seamstress. It's one of the favourite items in my closet. It's also one of the most worn items in my wardrobe, especially this blazer. 

See how I wore this tailored suit multiple times in this post. 

See how I wore this black blazer with a cherry print dress here. 

See how I wore it with a parsley ruffled skirt twice in this post. 

See how I wore it with matching pants (part of the suit) and a white shirt in this post. 

....I'll stop here because I'm sure that the list of outfit links featuring this black blazer would be endless. 




Here you can basically see me getting ideas for winter outfits by layering my outfits at home! Sometimes I end up adding more and more layers as I believe keeping warm is important. 
I started with a pink dress, photographed it with sandals and then I kept adding layers seeing what might work. 

I like the idea of wearing light clothing items in Winter. It's boring to wear dark colours all the time. 

Below you can see me pairing this pink polka dot dress with a vintage white blazer ! Do you want to see how I wore this  WHITE BLAZER before? 






TRYING ON A PINK DRESS WITH GREY SUIT PANTS (BENETON) AND A CAMEL COAT

Layering my way to warmth. I figured that I'll be too cold in light tights so I decided to wear suit pants under the dress and a camel coat over it. 

THE CAMEL COAT- H&M (gift)

I told you the story of this coat many times. I continue to wear it fairly often!

37 WAYS TO WEAR A SHORT CAMEL COAT

#1 & #2 IN THIS MULTIPLE OUTFITS POST from 2021 (the last two looks in the post feature this coat!)  I love to show different ways to wear a clothing item. OUTFIT PROPOSAL #1, A CAMEL COAT WORN WITH A SKATER DRESS AND BROWN BOOTS 7 OUTFIT NUMBER #2 : A CAMEL COAT WORN WITH A SEMI PLEATED SKIRT, COMFORTABLE WALKING BOOTS AND A BURGUNDY JACKET

#3 & 4 two advent stylings in this Advent post from 2019  (OUTFIT NUMBER #3 A CAMEL COAT PAIRED WITH A PRINTED DRESS AND A FUN BEANIE /OUTFIT NUMBER #4:  A CAMEL COAT WORN WITH A WHITE SHIRT, A LONG GREEN VEST AND NAVY FLARES) 

#5 See how I have worn with a maxi skirt, a pussy bow blouse, a vintage sweater and brown boots HERE in 2021. 

#6 worn with flared pale denim jeans and a tie HERE. 

#7 showcased with one of the outfits worn for visiting Sućuraj on island Hvar HERE.

#8 & #9 showcased worn with two different winter outfits in a multiple outfit post HERE. 

#10 worn with a maxi beige skirt in this multiple outfit post HERE.

#11 worn with the same beige maxi skirt for a book review shot in Jelsa, island Hvar HERE

#12 worn with one of my outfits from 2022 (the one I wore for a dinner in restaurant Romanca near Mostar HERE. 

#13 worn with a floral skirt for a cozy look in Jelsa HERE.

#14 worn with an orange dress for a visit to Stari Grad HERE in 2019.

#16 worn with a Stanka Zovko set and heels HERE.

#17 worn with a blue pleated skirt and a beanie HERE in 2021 for an outfit post.

#18 worn with a blue denim skirt and camel boots HERE in 2020 for a post that focused on twenty different ways to style the above mentioned Amadeus denim skirt. 

#19 worn with cord leggings, tartan blazer and a mustard turtleneck HERE. 


#22 worn with a floral mini skirt and brown boots HERE.

#23 showcased with a black and white dress  in this POST. 

#24 worn with handpainted jeans and a brown blazer HERE. 

#25 with a blue pleated skirt and a silver blouse HERE.

OUTFIT #28, A CAMEL COAT, WHITE VINTAGE SWEATER, BLACK SKIRT WITH A SLIT, NEW BIKER BOOTS, A RED CAP AND A MINI BLACK BAG. 

#28 &29 for a visit to Goranci and Mostar HERE. Here you can see two different ways to style this coat, one being fancy and the other casual, proving just how versatile it can be. 

#30 with blue jeans to explore street art in Mostar HERE. 

#31 with a blue mixed print bohemian dress with brown lace details and brown boots here in 2023.

#32 with a blue and black dress and black boots in spring 2024.

#33 with an animal print dress, mustard turtleneck and high brown boots in 2024.

#34 Camel coat worn with a golden scarf, Stanka Zovko lilac set, burgundy bag and high brown boots.

#35 Camel coat worn with a floral skirt, high brown boots and a mini bag black.

#36 Camel coat worn with a golden dress and top, black mini bag, and black boots and leg warmers.

# 37 Camel coat worn with black leggings, brown boots and a gold scarf.






THE GREY SUIT TROURSERS (Benetton, second hand) 

See two ways I wore this grey suit HERE.


You can see how I wore the grey blazer that is part of this suit here, here , here and  here. 



Well, that would be all for today. I showed you my fashion illustrations. 

Black clothing items paired with pink, green and red accents. 

I also showed you how I added pink, green and red into my dark winter outfits.

I showed you how I shop my closet and my secrets for layering. 

Sometimes all you need to be inspired is a pretty dress or a pretty pair of shoes- and you build your outfit from it. 

I hope you have enjoyed this post. 

Thank you for visiting! Take care!







Comments

  1. ellie28 February 2025 at 15:36

    Oh, I hope you are doing OK. I absolutely love these designs. They are so detailed and amazing. Oh, yes, remember the layers for winter💗💗💗💗🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸I hope your weekend will be at peace. All the best to your creativity.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Caitlin'nMegan28 February 2025 at 15:38

    I love seeing your art. I hope you are well and in a good place. Thank you for taking the time to give us this incredible creative post. Stay strong! Be you. And rest. You are in my thoughts and prayers💗💗💗💗

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split1 March 2025 at 13:27

      You're very kind. All the best to you too!

      Delete
  3. Citu28 February 2025 at 16:00

    Me gusto tu chaqueta y bocetos. Te mando un beso.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ирина Полещенко28 February 2025 at 17:55

    Ivana, I like your paintings very much!

    ReplyDelete
  5. JoAnna 1 March 2025 at 02:25

    Hello Ivana, how are you? I hope I'm OK. You wrote a very interesting post, you paint beautifully! I didn't like pink for a long time, but now I wear clothes in this color, in various shades, more and more often. Your styles are very interesting! And this pile of books - I love it! Hugs, have a nice weekend!♥️

    ReplyDelete
  6. Benita James1 March 2025 at 02:48

    That stash of books organised in that manner is so unique. Also, your fashion illustrations are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split1 March 2025 at 13:25

      I organized them as a tree for Christmas and I didn't have the time to put the books in place yet. :)
      Thank you Benita.
      All the best to you.

      Delete
  7. Nadine1 March 2025 at 03:08

    How cool to see some of your fantastic fashion illustrations again. You are so talented!
    I hope your day yesterday was positively emotional and that you are doing well?
    Your two outfits you shopped for in your wardrobe are gorgeous. I love the red and black skirt and think the bright pink high heeled boots are so cool with it. I would love to wear this look myself, but better not, because you look so adorable in it ;-))
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Hugs, Nadine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split1 March 2025 at 13:25

      I think you would look wonderful in these outfits and that you would rock these boots.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous1 March 2025 at 06:35

    Wonderful photos and fantastic art dear Ivana 👍

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ananka1 March 2025 at 11:43

    Great outfits Ivana. I love, love, love those cute pink boots :-D

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous1 March 2025 at 14:43

    The illustrations are lovely and I love the idea that you kept adding to them over time. You did an excellent job recreating these looks. My favorite is definitely the one with the red and black skirt, though the polkadot dress is fun too. Good job!

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Polyester Princess2 March 2025 at 03:30

    Your fashion illustrations are always a sight to behold. You are so very talented Ivana! The outfit with the black and red pleated skirt and polka dot blouse is absolutely delightful! Sending hugs xxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Martyna2 March 2025 at 23:23

    Very nice pictures and great post 😊 Have a nice day 😊

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lucimar da Silva Moreira3 March 2025 at 03:30

    Ivana belas as ilustrações, você é impecável nos looks bjs.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Rostrose3 March 2025 at 10:25

    Dear Ivana, your drawn outfits are very cool, both in terms of color, cut and pattern. I would wear them exactly like that (on a suitable occasion). I also think all of your closet-shopped or second-hand outfits, which revolve around the light pink boots and the dotted dress, are very chic.
    And I wanted to say thank you for your nice comment about our winter vacation and our sweet visiting cat Samia. Since we have had cats in our lives for many decades and my brother has cats and dogs, I have never doubted that animals have souls. And many of these souls are more beautiful than those of some people... (That doesn't speak well for humanity, unfortunately...)
    All the best and a lovely March, Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/02/weltreise-2024-reisegarderobe-resume.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split7 March 2025 at 06:26

      This is true. Some animals seem to be more capable for empathy than humans. Fortunately, there are also many good people in the world.
      Thank you for your comment.
      Have a lovely weekend and a wonderful March!

      Delete
  15. Hena Tayeb3 March 2025 at 11:11

    Love all the pretty details on the dress painting. Sorry to hear you had a hard day.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Silvia Negretti3 March 2025 at 11:19

    Che bello rivedere le tue illustrazioni di moda, Ivana! hai sempre tanta fantasia e ogni volta crei figurini originali ed unici!
    Poi sei anche migliorata tantissimo nella tecnica: soprattutto i dettagli dei ricami e delle decorazioni dei tessuti sono stupendi!!!
    Carinissimi ed originali anche i tuoi look, fantastica quella gonna a pieghe bicolor!
    Baci!
    S
    https://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. LoveT.3 March 2025 at 13:04

    A great post. I love your outfits and am a fan of your illustrations. They have so much charisma and dynamism.
    I wish you a very nice evening

    ReplyDelete
  18. Rowena @ rolala loves3 March 2025 at 15:38

    I hope whatever you're dealing with will work out in your favor. Your illustrations are marvelous as always. You have a wonderful design aesthetic to go with your artistic skill as both outfits look like they could adorn a runway.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous4 March 2025 at 21:45

    This look is absolutely trendy! 💖 It perfectly balances style and comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ayman4 March 2025 at 21:53

    "Fashion is an expression of personality and confidence! Stay stylish and embrace your unique look. ✨👗"Fashion

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous4 March 2025 at 21:59

    "Your art always inspires me and brings so much light. I hope you're finding peace and strength, and that you're surrounded by love and good energy. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with us — it truly means the world. Take care of yourself, rest when you need it, and never forget how much you are appreciated. You’re always in my thoughts 💖✨"
    Fashion

    ReplyDelete
  22. Julie Ann Lozada6 March 2025 at 10:10

    Love the creativity in your fashion illustrations! It’s inspiring how you combine your own wardrobe with your art. The layering tips are also super helpful. Keep up the amazing work!

    http://www.itsjulieann.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split6 March 2025 at 14:38

      Thank you dear Julie. Layering in winter makes all the difference in keeping warm.

      Delete
  23. Marisa Cavaleiro11 March 2025 at 11:15

    Hello, dear Ivana,
    I'm so happy to hear that life is going well for you and that this was a very emotional day, which I take to mean that something good happened to you! I liked your drawings of the two looks you created yourself. I loved the way you showed us the possibility of how to wear that polka-dot dress. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split18 March 2025 at 13:41

      Well, it was a mixed sort of emotion, both good and bad. :)

      Delete
  24. Theresa Mahoney5 April 2025 at 13:21

    I always admire real design talent, especially since I lack any artistic skill where fashion or illustration comes into the picture. You are so right that a true design and illustration done by an actual artist is always so much better than the fake AI generated things we see a lot of lately. I do think there is a place for AI, but it saddens me to see so many artist's ideas being ripped off by AI technology. Your watercolors are gorgeous and showcase your talent in both illustration and fashion. I would wear both designs and feel like a goddess in each.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split14 April 2025 at 05:36

      Thank you Theresa. AI is a complex topic. It can be useful, but it can also be used to steal intellectual property.

      Delete

Post a Comment

All your comments mean a lot to me, even the criticism. Naravno da mi puno znači što ste uzeli vrijeme da nešto napišete, pa makar to bila i kritika. Per me le vostre parole sono sempre preziose anche quando si tratta di critiche.

You may email me for any questions or business inquires: ivana.kardua@gmail.com

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INSPIRED BY.....NATALIA LIALINA

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Hello everyone and h appy hump day!   How are you doing? I hope you had a lovely week so far. It's been a while since my last Inspired by post, hasn't it? Well, today I'm back with another  Inspired by ... feature.  As some of you know, this is a regular feature on my blog that is all about illustrating bloggers I love and that inspire me. I always say it's one of my favourite features and it truly is. Over the years I had the chance to illustrate many many bloggers and it's always something I enjoy doing. Moreover, I enjoy blog recommendations posts and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I discovered some wonderful bloggers through other bloggers and that's always lovely. This regular feature of mine is  not just about illustrating, it is also a kind of a blog recommendation post, because it gives me a chance to share bloggers I love with you. This time I have illustrated Natalia from @inthewriterscloset.  You can check out her blog  here .  Pozdrav...
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