Fashion illustration to take centre stage in new exhibition

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jun 13, 2018

Rare and original fashion illustration by leading artists of the 20th century will go on display in the new Drawing on Style exhibition, organised by specialist art firm Gray MCA to coincide with London Fashion Week.

Running from 14-21 September, the exhibition will be held at Gallery 8 on Duke Street St James’s, and then travel to the new Gray MCA gallery in Bath in October.

It will feature the best original works that graced the pages of influential magazines and newspapers throughout the 20th century, with work that influenced decades of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and The New York Times readers.

Fashion enthusiast will be able to get a closer look at original fashion illustrations by the renowned artists including René Gruau, Antonio Lopez, Colin McDowell, Jason Brooks and Bil Donovan. Works by René Bouché, Carl ‘Eric’ Erickson, René Bouët Willaumez, Joe Eula, Kenneth Paul Block and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld will be also on display.

The drawings have since remained in private collections or artists’ estates and many will be displayed publicly for the first time in Drawing on Style.

A series of special talks and evening events will run alongside the exhibition, including a special drawing masterclass with Bil Donovan, Dior’s first artist in residence, and a Q&A evening with British fashion illustrator and author Jason Brooks.