Top Layer of Fashion

As promised at the end of December, here is a bit more work of George Stavrinos, passing too soon at the age of 42 in 1990.

He was amused that people thought that just because his work was on a top layer of fashion, that he was involved in the fashion social set—going to elite parties with all the models. Nope, he was at home, toiling on the deadlines, many times with less than 3 days lead time.

A bit more to come another day.

Figure with Six Portraits — 1980

Fashion for Estévez — 1985

Figure with Sphere — 1980

Statue of Liberty Torch — 1979

Woman with Zephyr — 1979

Retro Look at the Future

Another big influence earlier in my career, for both fashion and general illustration was George Stavrinos. His softly modeled pencil drawings were a mainstay of Bergdorf Goodman and Barney's fashion ads, though Stavrinos did not consider himself a fashion illustrator. He was an artist, photographer, commercial illustrator, and filmmaker.

The fashion drawing below was slightly atypical, as it is more mechanical than organic. Almost an homage to the Maria robot of Metropolis, it evokes a retro look at the future.

More of Stavrinos' work also coming up here in the new year.

Fashion Giant

Antonio Lopez, mostly known as just plain 'Antonio', was a giant in the field of fashion illustration, dominating the trade from the late 70s until his death in 1987. His work was larger than life and many times had a surrealist element to it. Many times he worked from live models, such as this example of Jerry Hall, and built sets much as a photographer would.

I did some fashion illustration in the early 80s, and he was my primary inspiration, even though my style did not emulate his.

Antonio — For Italian Vogue — 1981

More of his work to show up here in 2011.