René Gruau

René Gruau was born Renato Conte de Savagli-Ricardelli in Rimini, Italy in 1910. His career in fashion illustration took flight when he and his mother moved to Paris in the late 1920s, where his work appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines. Gruau illustrated designs for fashion legends including Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaperelli, Hubert de Givenchy and Christian Dior. His friendship with Dior ran especially deep—the first collection for the House of Dior became possible because Gruau insisted that Dior accept sponsorship from textile magnate Marcel Boussac.
When photography overtook illustration in the 1950s, Gruau shifted to advertising with remarkable success. He also created posters for film and theatre productions, including Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” and Jean Renoir’s “French Cancan.” His work was displayed in exhibitions at the Musée du Costume at the Palais Galliera in Paris in 1989 and at the Musée de la Publicité in Paris in 1999.
Gruau’s elegant style experienced a renaissance in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, appearing in magazines and advertising campaigns for Air France, Omega watches and Fiat. He died in March 2004, but his legacy endures through a permanent collection at the city museum in Rimini. Gruau is represented by Park West Gallery.