Fashion without the illustration is like a dress without the fabric. Illustrators have been the first “photographers” of trends, until they become true artists of drawing.
The fashion illustration started with the painting or plastic depictions: the late-Gothic plates by Pisanello have to be considered one of the first examples of fashion sketches. During the XVI° century, many artists spent some time by studying the clothing, as the representation of embroideries, draping and fabrics kept improving. The real turning point happened with the publishing of essays about costume, that started spreading since the middle XVII° century, and of which the etchings by Hollar are a perfect example. The first illustrated plates appeared in 1759 on The Lady’s Magazine; while in the late XIX° century their upgrade occurred, as they started being considered as real artists, thanks to the spread of magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar or Vogue, where the fashion illustration are an essential part of the editorial project.
– text by Vogue Italia Encyclo at vogue.it
Renè Gruau
©screenshot
Antonio Lopez for Missoni 1982
Antonio Lopez for Missoni 1982 – 1985
Antonio Lopez for Missoni 1982
David Downton ©screenshot
David Downton ©screenshot
David Downton ©screenshot
The lady’s magazine April, 1831
Catalog Illustration of Men’s Sack Suits 1921 ©Corbis
Fashion illustration 1910 ©Corbis
source vogue.it
Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
Reblogged this on Art Addiction.
I absolutely love these! One day I would love to have a huge collection of pictures like these!
Reblogged this on Couture Lunacy and commented:
The possibilities are endless ……
Reblogged this on Classified Q and commented:
Before there were photographs there were Fashion Illustrations. It’s always good to know your history. How divine are these? Tell me how much you know on CQ.
Wonderful post! Genius!