David Downton - Fashion Illustrator

David Downton was born in Kent in 1959. He studied illustration/graphics, beginning his illustration career in 1984. For the first 12 years he worked on a wide variety of projects ranging from advertising and packaging to illustrating fiction, cook books and, occasionally, fashion before becoming well recognised. In 1996, the Financial Times commissioned him to draw at the couture shows and since then David has become known principally as a fashion illustrator. 

David’s commercial client list includes: Tiffany & Co, Bloomingdales, Barney’s, Harrods, Top Shop, Chanel, Dior, L’Oreal, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and the V&A Museum. In 1998, he began working on a portfolio of portraits (from life) of some of the world’s most beautiful women, including Erin O’Connor, Paloma Picasso, Catherine Deneuve, Linda Evangelista, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Iman and Dita Von Teese. In 2007, David launched Pourquoi Pas? the first ever journal of Fashion Illustration. 

Rene Gruau - Fashion Ilustrator

René Gruau was born in Italy in 1909 of an aristocratic Italian father and a French mother. 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. During his career he worked on every major fashion publication including Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar and Marie Claire. In 1947, his friend Christian Dior entrusted him with drawing the Miss Dior advertisement from which the 'New Look' was born. He also worked on major advertising campaigns for Lido & Moulin Rouge as well as for the greatest names in Haute Couture including  Balmain, Balenciaga and Givenchy. 

Megan Hess - Fashion Ilustrator

Megan has illustrated for some of the world’s top fashion and interior publications as well as worldwide ad campaigns and best selling books. She also works on private commissions for interiors all around the globe.