Rene Gruau & Fashion BOOK Illustrating the 20th Century MODA Silvana Editoriale

This book, conceived to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth in Rimini of Renato Zavagli Ricciarelli, known as René Gruau, pays homage to an internationally renowned figure (1909-2004), a witness to the past century and its personal interpreter. 

A master professional in fashion illustration and advertising, Gruau attracted the attention of the great French fashion houses thanks to his curvilinear and marked style, with strong and contrasting colours. With a light and highly evocative stroke, Gruau was able to propose, in years in which society was profoundly changing, a world full of elegance, allure and worldliness, dominated by ethereal and sensual female figures with extraordinary headdresses, and by young men in top hats and white gloves. 

A very personal world – which harked back to his childhood – but at the same time shared and loved by the public who, in the polymorphous 20th century, found a place to dream, through and thanks to fashion. 

The volume analyses his contribution both to the history of illustration and advertising and to the world of fashion, through a collection of essays that delve into some themes of the artist's life and work: from family events to his debut, from his relationship with the fashion capitals of Paris, Milan and Rome to his production, capable of spreading the Made in Italy brand in the world in an unmistakable way. 

Authors: Réjane Bargiel, Joëlle Chariau, Bonizza Giordani Aragno, Francesca Iaconisi, Gianluca Lo Vetro, Adelheid Rasche, Elisa Tosi Brandi, Marco Urizzi, Alessandra Vaccari.

Heavily illustrated throughout in colour with examples of Gruau's work in magazines, posters and advertising.  Some fashion editorials are reproduced directly from the magazine.  Great reference material.