Decoy at FIG 26/04/13.

 Click to enlarge.

Both images by Artaksiniya.

Left, Richard Kilroy. Right, Richard Gray.

Both works by Richard Gray.

Left, Ricardo Fumanal. Right, Tara Dougans.

David Downton's Vogue Australia cover. Original work and print magazine.

Issue 4 now available!

I'm excited to announce that The Fashion Illustration Gallery (F.I.G) have revealed the new issue of Decoy today, which is available exclusively through their online shop.

The striking Matthew Bell of Elite Models wears Matthew Miller SS13, illustrated by myself, with photographic assistance from Neil O'Keefe and grooming by Noriko Takayama.
As you can see, the new issue is blessed with an incredible line up of some of whom I consider to be the most talented illustrators in the industry. More details will follow later today on F.I.G's site, with previews of all the new works, focusing on the London Mens Collections.

F.I.G's open evening - Vogue's Fashion Night Out.

As part of the annual event, Fashion Illustration Gallery showcased the prints and originals of it's roster of illustrators at it's venue on Cork St in London (situated just behind Bond St).

I strongly suggest going to F.I.G's open evenings whenever possible if you are fortunate enough to live in London. William Ling, gallery owner and the man in charge, has created a public platform for showcasing the most prolific illustrators in the business, something that has been somewhat lacking when it comes to fashion illustration. Seen as the minority and occasional alternative to photography and editorials, public and industry folk alike aren't always aware of the history of fashion illustration and aren't exposed to just how incredible some of the best talents are, or the work they put out for for high profile clients. With a focus on displaying commissioned pieces, F.I.G had three gloved assistants on hand to display to visitors both prints and originals from the artists.

A big focus of the open evening was on David Downton, who was on hand to sign copies of Masters Of Fashion Illustration in the new paperback edition, and previewing a new series of prints with the gallery which will be available later this year. I managed to have a small chat with Downton again after meeting him previously at LCF's Go Figure exhibit, talking mainly about Gruau and naturally asking him to sign my copy of Pourqoui Pas? (fanboy moment - being very flattered when he mentioned he loved my work, argh). It was also great to manage a brief catch up with Decoy favourite Richard Gray (Downton and Gray have known each other for years having both illustrated from the couture shows and salons) who I'm happy to say is still interpreting Keko Hainswheeler's accessories for a series of personal works after illustrating one previously for the double page spread in Decoy 3.

On display; Downton's original of Cate Blanchett for Vogue Australia's 40th anniversary issue.

With illustration legends Gray and Downton at F.I.G.

Also showcasing their newest member, a series of three new prints by Ricardo Fumanal are available with F.I.G, including 'Automatic Lover' for Hercules Magazine, 2008, which was used for Decoy's cover on Issue 2.

I unfortunately ended up rushing out to meet a friend and didn't get a chance to have a look through their selection of rare books like 'Antonio's Girls', or take enough photos for this post like I should have. Regardless, make sure you sign up to F.I.G's mailing list or their facebook to keep updated with their latest news, signings, and available pieces.

New Exhibition - The Gruau Man

Having just recently posted an extra large post on all of Rene Gruau's mens illustrations here, I'm absolutely delighted to see that The Fashion Illustration Gallery in association with Paul Smith will be launching a new exhibition on the 21st March, The Gruau Man.

I will most DEFINITELY be attending, any chance to see Gruau's work up close is always one that shouldn't be missed. The exhibition will focus largely on his work with Sir Magazine, which you can see more of the covers for here.

More details from the press release:

RENÉ GRUAU ( 1 9 0 9 - 2 0 0 4 )
THE GRUAU MAN
WEDNESDAY MARCH 21ST - SATURDAY APRIL 21ST 2011
PAUL SMITH, No.9 ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON W1S 4BL

Fashion Illustration Gallery in association with Paul Smith No.9 Albemarle Street is delighted to present The Gruau Man an exhibition of works on paper made by René Gruau featuring only men.

The works exhibited span a 16 year period from 1956 to 1972. They were prepared for the front covers of the magazine Sir: Men’s International Fashion Journal. Published quarterly in Amsterdam by Ludwig Katz, Sir was the baby brother publication of
International Textiles magazine whose Gruau covers FIG exhibited at The Mayor Gallery at the end of 2010.

On the surface, crafted in gouache and felt tip pen, Gruau’s man is chiselled, groomed, suave and sophisticated. Suited and booted he is always dapper, sometimes depicted with a strategically dipped Trilby hat and occasionally accessorized with an umbrella or cigarette. He’s the picture of simmering machismo. He’s the man about town, a real life James Bond in control of every situation he finds himself in.
Beneath the surface and the primary colours Gruau’s man, for all his brooding self assuredness makes Lichtenstein’s Brad look positively three dimensional. When he appears with a suitcase you can’t be sure that he’s really going anywhere and the longer he strikes a pose and stares out of his frame the more one realises his eyes are connecting only with his own. He’s looking in the mirror and we repeatedly catch him doing so.

Gruau’s man is to Gruau’s woman what Ken is to Barbie or Leandro Penna is to Katie Price. He’s a piece of arm candy an accessory to fashion. He’s Gruau’s fantasy Action Man.

These works have rarely been shown. In 1972, Sir works were exhibited in Holland and a small group were recently showcased in London. Works for the covers of two issues of Sir, dated 1957 and 1962, are featured in a recent monograph on Gruau, and
another appears in Cally Blackman’s 100 Years of Fashion Illustration.