René Gruau

René GRUAU was born in Italy in 1909 of an aristocratic Italian father and a French mother, Marie GRUAU, whose name he took. He settled in Paris in 1924 and embarked on his career as a fashion illustrator. His earliest drawings were published in Italy, Germany and England.

From 1935 to 1939, he worked with FEMINA, MARIE-CLAIRE, L’OFFICIEL, L’ALBUM DU FIGARO and other magazines.

In 1946, he did his first job for INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES, whose covers he designed until 1984.

In 1947, his friend Christian DIOR entrusted him with drawing the MISS DIOR advertisement and the famous Bar dress. the New Look was born.

In 1948, he left for the United States to work for HARPER’S BAZAAR and VOGUE, before becoming the exclusive artist for FLAIR.

In 1949, he devoted his time to advertising: ROUGE BAISER, LIDO, MOULIN ROUGE, BEMBERG, BLIZZAND.

Between 1950 and now, he has worked for the greatest names in Haute Couture: BALMAIN, FATH, BALENCIAGA, GIVENCHY, ROCHAS. whilst continuing to produce fashion drawings for ELLE, VOGUE, FRANCE, MADAME FIGARO and L’OFFICIEL DE LA COUTURE.

images from : Ani Petrossian