French artist René Gruau has had a lasting impact on the fashion industry with his unique and expressive illustrations and advertisements, paving the way for a far more successful fashion culture. His beautiful images and designs have been published throughout the years in internationally acclaimed fashion magazines such as Vogue, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, and many others, especially at the time when fashion editorials featured illustrations on their cover rather than photographs. Gruau has also been hired by major designers like Balenciaga, Dior, Balmain, Lanvin, and Givenchy, to name a few. His work popularized haute couture and influenced fashion design to exhibit the flamboyance and elegance it is known for. His pieces exhibit vivacity and character through Gruau’s use of bold strokes, bright primary colors, and just the right amount of detail and space. (x)
