A whole gallery dedicated to fashion illustration? I’d like to make an appointment, please. William Ling launched FIG in London earlier this year (via Elle), focusing on the great works of Cecil Beaton, François Berthoud, Antonio, and Rene Gruau. I must admit that these names didn’t mean much to me until about a year ago when I started to research fashion illustration — an art that I’ve always admired.
Of all of the artists in William Ling’s gallery, I have to say that David Downton’s work wins out. They are powerfully suggestive yet have a very delicate side. For 15 years he worked as a freelance illustrator with projects ranging from computers to children’s books. But as many started to notice, his style of drawing lends itself well to fashion illustrations. In 1996 he was sent off to cover the Paris haute couture shows and it seems he hasn’t looked back.
Read about his life of fashion drawing and take a peek at his portfolio. Are you just as impressed? Do you have any favorite fashion illustrators that you would like to share?
Image credits: Fashion Illustration Gallery & David Downton
18 responses so far ↓
1 Design for Mankind : Jul 29, 2008 at 4:57 pm
OH HOW LOVELY!
2 Jessie Cacciola : Jul 29, 2008 at 6:02 pm
count me in! I’d love to visit this place, too. I really don’t know that much about fashion illustration, but I’ve always loved the free-flowing ones with minimal color, but strong lines. and i love the the top left, and bottom two left you have here. xo
3 Tina : Jul 29, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I love these! I have some art work along these lines. Very chic
4 Jessie Cacciola : Jul 29, 2008 at 7:22 pm
*I mean the right.
5 Fashion Illustration Gallery | Apparel Technology - News, Garment, Textile, Clothing, Industry, Cloth, Fashion, Costume : Jul 30, 2008 at 1:48 am
[…] more: Fashion Illustration Gallery Posted in Fashion No […]
6 Krissy : Jul 30, 2008 at 7:55 am
wow! I love his style. thanks for sharing this
7 Diana : Jul 30, 2008 at 11:04 am
I LOVE this - fashion illustration is so amazing to me. For awhile I was quite obessed with it…after seeing these I’m feeling that love again!
8 Sarah : Jul 30, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I have that “100 Years Of Fashion Illustration” by Cally Blackman and it is so great. All of my girlfriends love to thumb through it when they come over. This gallery sounds like a must see!
Ps. The BIG day is on October 4, almost 2 months away!
9 Jude : Jul 30, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Antonio’s work really inspired me when I was doing a lot of drawing and painting YEARS ago. If I remember correctly, W Magazine (think it was W) used to be printed in a large, color newspaper style format. When I subscribed to it back then I couldn’t wait to receive the latest issue, and see all the amazing fashion illustrations in this big and bold format.
David Downton’s work is incredible. GREAT post!!
10 Robin : Jul 30, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I love this! I’m definitely going to do some research, the drawings are so provocative.
11 ericka : Jul 31, 2008 at 11:03 am
Oh..I love David Downtons work..number 2…the yellow dress illustration is my absolute favorite!!!!!
12 Ashley : Aug 11, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Gladys Perint Palmer was one of my teachers at the Academy of Art in San Franciso and her style is one of a kind; bold and expressive. I love fashion illustration.
Oh and Ruben Toledo! He did those lovely illustrations for Nordstrom.
13 bandelle : Aug 11, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Ashley — thanks for leaving a comment with your favorite fashion illustrators. I’m going to Google them now
What did you study at the Academy of Art in San Francisco?
14 Ashley : Aug 12, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I studied fashion merchandising. I wish I could say fine art, like I am some fantastic sculptor or something but alas I am not. Sigh.
I love your blog btw.
15 bandelle : Aug 12, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Oh, thanks Ashley. Secretly I would love to say that I’m a sculptor too (among many things!).
16 luis melacroix : Aug 14, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Heheh, nice!:D
Take a look at my works and please giv me a feedback!
THX!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaVBuIoB-Q0
17 mahmooda ashley : Sep 9, 2008 at 9:25 am
hi i m mahmooda ali fashion designer very beautiful stunning i love illustration its reall
18 mahmooda ashley : Sep 9, 2008 at 9:27 am
brealiant very serious inspiration
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