Chumi

It's unfortunate how adamant a client can be about a design. But let's at least try to make the most of it.

I like the approach you're taking by turning it into more of a kiss mark, rather than the lips themselves. The lower part of the dress/upper part of the lower lip interaction is interesting with the ridges.

I think perhaps it can be pushed a bit further to emulate lip marks more. Try adding a few cracks coming from the outside of the lips to make them appear more puckered up. I do think, however, the dark pink fits better than black. But it's nice to see what it would look like in the B/W version.

The text is much better, it gives it a more elegant feel.

It looks more like a devil, or a Dungeons and Dragons cloaker, to me than a dress.

The problem is it's going to be difficult to have a dress in the negative space without making the lips looking horribly deformed. Right now, the symbol is worse than th efirst version.

Check out these rapid google search for lips logo and see if it can inpire you: http://tinyurl.com/op9fx5o

Also, if you really think that having lips is detrimental to the quality of your work, it's your job as a professional designer to convince the client that it is so. Client are not designers, otherwise they would do the logo themselves.

Good luck.

As far as the client wanting the lips...What I usually do is exactly what the client asks for and then my interpretations to show how something else can be better. It has worked 99% of the time that they choose mine. Certainly work out the best version with their specs but then work out your own. It's best you don't tell them they are wrong but, with your designs, you can suggest what is best and you can explain why, if the opportunity arises. All in a positive light.

The lips are definitely too big...I do get the bat look in the lip. How bout using the kiss to dot the "i" in some way...Real lips as a watermark behind text...An outline of the lips... Keep working it out. You can do it!