Fashion Drawing & Illustration: 1980s

The increasing profile of women in the work place required a new fashion aesthetic, and the decade witnessed the emergence of 'Power Dressing'. Wide, padded shoulders became fashionable and women's clothes were inspired by masculine fashion and tailoring traditions. The period also saw the display of lavish evening wear, as exemplified by the opulent dresses of Oscar de la Renta.

Oleg Cassini

Oleg Cassini (1913–2006) was a prominent American fashion designer who famously dressed Jackie Kennedy, during her years in the White House. Cassini also had a lucrative ready-to-wear and licensing business with a wide range of branded accessories and cosmetics.

Bill Gibb

Bill Gibb (1943–88) was a fashion designer whose creations defined the 1970s look. He opened his boutique Alice Paul in Kensington in 1967 and first designed for the youth market, with clean lines that bore the imprint of contemporary trends. In the 1970s, his style developed along eclectic and romantic lines inspired by the hippie scene and by medieval and pre-Raphaelite painting. His romantic aesthetic was less successful during the 1980s and he presented his last full collection in 1985.

The drawing below right shows a design for the pop star Lynsey de Paul, for her performance at the Royal Variety Show, 1986. It is executed in colour wash, black ink and felt tip pen. By this time, Gibb's business was failing and this design may be one of his last.

Antoni & Alison

The London based fashion design duo, Antoni & Alison, are Antoni Burakowski and Alison Roberts. They met in 1982 when studying fashion at St Martin's college. They are known for their eclectic and playful designs, including ranges of slogan and vacuum packed T-shirts.

Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Blahnik (b. 1942) is one of the most prominent and successful shoe designers of his age. His creations were famously immortalised in episodes of Sex and the City, and his name is now synonymous with luxurious and exquisitely designed shoes. He was awarded an honorary title of Commander of the British Empire in the Queen's 2007 Birthday Honours List, for services to the British fashion industry.

These designs are for ladies shoes, for possible production by Zapata Shoes Ltd, London, 1980.