Drawing in Paris

My work in fashion design took me to Paris where I saw first hand the collections of European designers including Valentino, Dior, la Croix, Guy Laroche and Oscar de la Renta. Standing beside these catwalks, I was compelled to record the stunning new season releases. 

Before  The Paris Collection 

With a Diploma in Clothing and Textile Design from the Wellington Polytechnic (1987) I began my career in wardrobe at the Christchurch Court Theatre, New Zealand, and following this travelled to London and Europe in 1989 to embelish my interest in the arts. Winning an award with the New Zealand Wool Board helped me gain entry to the Paris fashion shows.

Entry to the exciting fashion launches in the marquees by the Louvre and various other centers around Paris allowed me to work directly as the models paraded the catwalk.

My life drawing experience compelled me to bring my paper closer to the action and I squeezed myself between the enormous lenses of the photographers right to the edge of the catwalk.

My lessons in pattern drafting were invaluable as I could see the details and work out the cause and effect, drawing in darts and seams - the reasons for line and flow. I captured the balance of a garment, whilst writing notes to prompt watercolour painting at the end of each invigorating day while the vibrancy of tones and textures were still fresh in my memory.

Later a friend of Valentino Garavani commissioned a collection of these drawings as a gift to the designer and this was the catalyst that prompted me to develop and present this body of work as a series of archival quality giclee limited editions. Valentino owns number one (1/100) of five of these limited edition works. The reproductions are produced on 100% cotton paper using Epson UV pigmented inks for long life prints of 100 years image stability. 

The Flying Solo Series - 10 single dresses, offering a moment in Paris. 

The Smalls are hand signed giclee prints, framed by myself (size 350mm x 380mm)

The Wall Works printed on prepositional canvas, size to order.

© Jessica Gunn