Artist Info
Georges Lepape
Georges Lepape (1887-1971)
French artist, trained at Ecole des beaux Arts. First Salon submissions were in 1908. In 1910 he started collaborating with Paul Poiret. Beginning with the exclusive limited edition album 'les choses de Paul Poiret', Lepape introduced the idea of 'motion' and 'story' to fashion illustration by showing some models actually leaving the viewing frame and by turning their backs to the viewer. These techniques were further developed with Lucien Vogel between 1921 and 1925 as Lepape became one of the foremost contributors to Gazette du Bon Ton.
He produced illustrations for all the top fashion houses, including Worth, Lanvin, Paquin, Doucet and Beer. He also did cover work for Harpers Bazaar and Vogue Magazines.
In 1920 the Musee des Arts Decoratifs held the first major exhibition of Lepape's work.
Conde Nast invited Lepape to New York in 1926 and he illustrated Vogue covers as well as covers for Vanity Fair.
He remained a prolific and sought after working artist until his death.
