Drawing on Style: Four decades of elegance at Gallery 8

GRAY M.C.A leading specialists in Fashion Illustration are holding a selling exhibition of original fashion illustrations from Post War 1940s through to the 1970s from Thursday 11th – Tuesday 16th September 2014 at Gallery 8, London — and we’re invited.  Coinciding with London Fashion Week SS15, the exhibition will include more than 40 original works by some of the leading illustrators of the time from Britain, Europe and America. Including works from René Bouché, René Gruau and Carl ‘Eric’ Erickson for publications including British & American Vogue, Harpers & Queen, The Sunday Times, Frau im Spiegel (Germany) & Jardin des Modes (France) as well as advertising work for L’Oreal and other famous names in Haute Couture such as Nina Ricci.

There will also be a selection of original designs by designers including Dior, Barbara Hulanicki of BIBA & Zandra Rhodes. Prices will range from £300 – £10,000. As Connie Gray of Gray M.C.A explained: “For too long fashion illustrators and their illustrations have been seen as a secondary art form, no matter how beautifully executed the image. More often than not, fashion illustrators were more widely known for their advertising work than they were for their work as highly skilled fashion illustrators. Though their style was familiar to the reader & their names published internationally alongside their illustrations, they have never been recognised as true artists. It was almost a secret world in which only those working in the industry knew & admired each other.”

Imogen McGill

The exhibition takes place on Thursday 11th – Tuesday 16th September 2014 at Gallery 8, 8 Duke Street, St James’s, London.