Buyers from around the world have been trying to resource original works to add to their own homes and collections, and this uptake in interest is drawing a lot of attention such that The Times recently declared fashion illustration as leading the trend in affordable 20th-century art with tremendous growth and opportunity for collectors.Īuction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s have begun to set world record prices. Books, films, articles and exhibitions are becoming more prominent and fashionable!īooks written by art historians, museum directors and even fashion illustrators themselves, provide a base knowledge showing exquisite images, the names of key players and even the techniques that the masters of fashion illustration would use.Īs the popularity and exposure of fashion illustrations has grown through museum exhibitions, books and films original fashion illustration is now finding its place in the art world as a beautiful, historically-important genre of art that brings emotion and pleasure to anyone who is lucky enough to own an original piece. The market for fashion illustration is growing fast and, for those with an interest for this underrated artform, so are the resources for information and education. Magazines, department stores and newspapers moved away from illustrators and where many of those illustrators found themselves transitioning into the entertainment world of TV and Film work, their great fashion illustration art would sit quietly waiting for a new century and a new audience to rediscover the golden age of fashion illustration. In the second half of the 20th century, illustration gave way to the power and efficiency of fashion photography. Magazine editors understood the power of a great illustrative piece and how a striking cover image could mean a dramatic difference in readership and sales. Similarly the great department stores like Saks 5th Avenue in New York, Harrods in London and Bullocks Wilshire in Beverly Hills wanted to have the best illustrators working for their company as they were wanting to create a unique look and identity that would set them apart, making their department store “the” destination for the season. The greatest fashion houses like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent would hire illustrators to render their couture designs for each season and the best illustrators captured more than the garments themselves, they were able to capture the romance, allure and lifestyle that ultimately sold the general public on wanting each new fashion trend.

Illustrators became an integral part of a fashion designer’s success.

History of fashion design illustration