Gruau's Man

IT'S men only for the Fashion Illustration Gallery's latest exhibition, The Gruau Man, in association with Paul Smith No.9 Albemarle Street.

"It seemed like the perfect synergy," said William Ling - owner of FIG - of the menswear meeting of minds in which rarely seen works, spanning a 16-year-period from 1956 to 1972, are on show until April 21 at the Paul Smith store. The showcase features covers of the magazine Sir: Men's International Fashion Journal and International Textiles magazine.
"They really are exquisite and we're talking about a time before we had Photoshop," said Ling, pointing out the collage nature of the felt tip pen creations depicting a confident and self-assured man who knows that you're looking at him - and, in fact, he wants you to.

Italian-born René Gruau was most known for his elegant and vivid fashion illustrations and was a favourite among the haute couture world. During his career he collaborated with the likes of Givenchy, Balenciaga, Lanvin and Dior and has been internationally exhibited at the Paris Musée du Costume. He died in 2004, aged 95.
Paul Smith, No. 9 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BL.














JESSICA BUMPUS 21 March 2012
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/03/21/rene-gruau-exhibition