Francois Berthoud

CONTENT SUMMARY

Celebrating one of the fashion world’s foremost illustrators and art directors and his provocative blending of erotica with fashion.

Known for erotica and romantic fashion illustration—and for blending them to highlight the eroticism he considers inherent in fashion—François Berthoud is recognized as one of the most original illustrators of his time. His painstakingly produced, meticulously arranged linocuts and his expressive drip paintings have graced Vogue, Numéro, Visionaire, Interview, and other leading magazines as well as the world’s most sought-after brands including Yves Saint Laurent, Bulgari, Chanel, Givenchy, Sonia Rykiel, and Prada.

Emerging in the ’80s, Berthoud has a distinct style that was championed by the legendary Anna Piaggi, who said that while he “illustrates fashion in an apparently formal and decorative way, in reality he analyzes his subject in depth and with an elegant sense of detachment before re-creating it in his atelier-laboratory…. He experiences fashion with a sharp sense of irony and a visual culture rooted in conceptual art. But his style is totally now!” Showcasing over 30 years of work, this handsome volume culminates with an illuminating conversation with the designer, making it unique in the study of Berthoud as a cultural and artistic icon.