Dior Illustrated: René Gruau and the Line of Beauty is a new exhibit scheduled to open at London's Somerset House on 10 November:
A celebration of the renowned illustrator René Gruau (1909-2004), who created some of the most iconic fashion images of the 20th century. This exciting exhibition will showcase groundbreaking artworks including original illustrations for Christian Dior Parfums, vintage perfume bottles, sketches and magazines, as well as a selection of Dior Haute Couture dresses.
The exhibit will run through 9 January; admission is £6. (via somersethouse.org.uk, found at condenast-profesional.es)
MADE.MY.DAY! I adore René Gruau beyond belief. Will definitely go see this!
I do too…wish I could see the exhibit. Do report back!
i love those old illustrations. so sexy and charming at once.
I do understand why everybody moved to photographs, but would be great fun to see some drawings again! They’re so rare now.
That’s so true – and illustrations can convey all the twists, turns, attitude, attenuation that a real body can’t. I think the overuse of photoshop is a perverse way of getting to the same thing that illustrations used to provide: fantasy, elegance, glamour. The designers want to convey a certain attitude, a certain posture, a certain look which are not possible with a real human being. Well, rarely. Illustrations get to that place with such style and emotion without turning real women – even real models – into freakshows.
I absolutely agree. I love fashion illustration and I often wonder what happens to that sort of talent now that there is less demand for it.
A browse of Yesterday’s Perfume reveals so many treasures. (Pause for nostalgic sigh.)
http://yesterdaysperfume.typepad.com/yesterdays_perfume/
So cool! I hope they eventually get this exhibit into a book – there’s no chance I’ll get over there, but a great big gorgeous book: now we’re talkin!
Yes!! I want one too.
ditto. with big posters in it
Exactly what I was thinking!
Let’s all write Somerset House and demand one!
AMEN!!!!!!! NOTHING beats a heavy, high-glam coffetable book – a book that needs a solid, elegant table to place it on while you read/browse, or your thighs had better be in shape both for those svelte fashions AND the weight of the book!
Theres a big new book out in the UK October 4th – ”Rene Gruau’s First Century” – not sure if its a tie-in though