Fashion Illustration Gallery

In an age where a couple of clicks can download a fashion show in full, minutes after the last model has left the runway, it’s easy to lose sight of the artistry involved in what is at heart a creative industry. Bringing the front row to your front room has its advantages, but who can argue that it's not another nail in the coffin for viewing fashion as an art form?

Step-up William Ling and FIG, his recently launched Fashion Illustration Gallery, who are celebrating the launch of '100 Years of Fashion Illustration' (by Cally Blackman, published by Laurence King) with an exhibition showcasing fashion illustrations included in the book.

Alongside better-known illustrators from the present such as Grayson Perry, David Downton and Francois Berthaud, the exhibition will show for the first time original works by the likes of Cecil Beaton, Rene Bouche and Carl Erikson. What's more, a number of the works will be available to buy for the first time.

Ling set-up FIG primarily to satisfy a personal love affair with fashion illustrations, but a more philanthropic motive was to develop the collector's market, thereby giving the artists a collective platform from which to exhibit and sell. 'It's a niche market at the moment,' says Ling 'but one with incredible potential. Think how much a Helmut Newton fashion shot can sell for, then take into account that with a fashion illustration you're getting something that’s unique in comparison to a photograph.'

Don't panic if you can't make it to the exhibition, Ling has also launched a [url=http://fashionillustrationgallery.com]website[/url] from which it's possible to purchase.

25 April 2007 | Art