Gruau

I was recently stunned by the simplicity of how charm and elegance are communicated. The culprit, Rene Gruau. A current exhibition at Somerset House in London shows a life time span of beautiful fashion illustrations. The collection is a statement to the legacy in which Gruau illustrated Dior. Many of the pieces were designed for advertisement purposes, and it is hard to imagine, once seeing the campaigns, being able to resist purchasing the products he made sparkle. Perfumes were the main object of his work, displayed in the exhibition alongside original bottles of the fragrances, in themselves alluding to utter luxury. 
The exhibition itself is doused in red light, a symbol of the artist's passion for his work, and a colour to make the rosy lips of the models in his drawings shine endlessly. The exhibition is narrated from image to image, telling a story of the relationship between Gruau and Dior. 
The original works still hold the raw marks of Gruau's pen and watercolour, in some cases showing the construction of his drawings. Through the unadorned composition of colours and shapes are faces and fashion, tirelessly promoting Dior's world. 
See original vintage Dior RTW and couture pieces, and also 'Inspired by Gruau', which are four works produced by contemporary artists, showing their take on Gruau's style and take on the house of Dior. 
It's only open until January 9th, but if you're in London, and anywhere near the embankment, £5 is a small price to pay for a first hand view at fashion history.