RENE GRUAU (1909-2004)

Rival design for Christian Dior stockings poster, ca. 1959 Mixed media in Indian ink with collage on paper, monogrammed lower left and titled right. Wrinkled paper. Dimensions: at sight 48.5 x 38.5 cm Born Renato Zavagli-Ricciardelle delle Caminate in Rimini, Italy, René Gruau is famous the world over for his legendary fashion illustrations. The great couturier Christian Lacroix said of him, "A successful dress is one that has the sharpness and aplomb of a Gruau painting. His first drawings were published in Italy, Germany and England. From 1935 to 1939, he worked with the magazines Femina, Marie-Claire, L'officiel and l'Album du Figaro. 1946 marked his first collaboration with International Textiles, for which he designed all the covers until 1984. But 1947 marked the turning point in his career: his friend Christian Dior, whom he had met in 1930, commissioned him to design the advertising for MISS DIOR perfume, as well as the famous Robe Bar. It was the start of a collaboration that would last more than 40 years and see him illustrate the brand's greatest perfumes and fashion campaigns. According to John Galliano, René Gruau "captured the Dior style and spirit, all in movement and using his three favorite colors: red, black and white". For the rest of his life, he worked for the biggest names in couture and fashion, including Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Balmain, Givenchy, Rochas and Elle. Sold without reserve price, starting at €10. Collection by appointment only.