I've previously posted some examples of these illustrations by Antonio Lopez here on the Sweet Jane blog, which I had scanned from a book called Lifestyle Illustration of the 60s. However, since then I have acquired a copy of the very first issue of Intro magazine which is where they were originally published in september 1967. I had been searching for this particular issue for a long time, there just doesn't seem to be that many of them in circulation, which is not too surprising really because it is 46 years old this month afterall! But, I have to say it was worth the wait and every penny that it cost to finally see Antonio's work as it was intended to be seen. The illustrations are absolutely amazing! They're spread over three double pages measuring 22"x 17½" each...now I want you to take a moment to think about those dimensions, we're talking 'poster size' here! Infact, I think I will get some professional copies made and have them framed eventually, because as much as I admire fashion photography 'fashion illustration' has always been my first love and these images are such superb examples of a time when illustration was definitely still in it's glory days before photography surpassed it and became the more widely used medium of the two. I photographed the images because they were far too big to fit onto my usually trustworthy flatbed scanner and although I've done my best it was impossible to truly do them justice under the circumstances, in reality they are far more vibrant, but if you click on each individual image you will at least be able to view a larger version of the work. Alternatively, if you happen to live in the London area or have plans to visit the city sometime over the next two months, you may perhaps be lucky enough to view the real thing thanks to designer Roland Mouret (also a long time admirer of Antonio's work) who, in conjunction with East of Mayfair will be hosting a special selling exhibition including previously unseen works by the legendary fashion illustrator in celebration of what would have been his 70th birth year. The exhibition which opens today, takes place at the Roland Mouret concept store house, 8 Carlos Place, London W.1. and runs through to the 20th of october 2013. The celebration doesn't end there, M.A.C have also recently launched a limited edition range of cosmetics this month which are inspired by Lopez. You can view the range and a video clip of the artist at work here.
BELT ON - PULL IN - CURVE OUT
Belting into fashion - the cinched in waist. You've been waiting for this since skinny sweaters stretched to dresses and tenty shapes narrowed to the body. Big, beautiful belts, buckled or buttoned, clinch the move to femininity with the greatest look to arrive since the birth of the mini skirt.
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Left to right: Deep cummerbund - the cinched-in tent, £4 19s 11s., sizes 10-16, by Present Trend for The Cobbler Club Postal Boutique. Narrow chain links - wide pleats accentuate shape, 9½ gns. Turquoise, green or navy, 10-14, Polly Peck. Numeral earrings, 2gns., from Paris House. Soft self belt-circles waist naturally; high-collared tucked bodice. Other colours, green , beige, pink, orange, brown, 10-16, £6 19s 6d. |
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From left to right: Rocker studs revived on belts. Separates dress - pinch-stitched skirt; narrow knitted top. Orange or beige knit with brown flannel, 7½ gns., 10-14, Ricki Reed. Suede gloves, 42s. 6d., Kir waist-cinched - military coat, with stiff necked collar; tunic pockets. Silver buttons trim fold of back pleat. Three shades of brown, 13½ gns., 35-38 length. Elgee gloves, nylon 12s. 6d., Kir. Metal buckled coat/jacket - belt pulled tight; straight trousers, new turn-ups. 15½ gns., 10-14, Elgee. Earrings, 2gns., Paris House. Broad belt - tight fit. Flare on chunky tweed coat; slit pockets; revers, 10½ gns., 10-14, Sidwall Earrings 15s. 6d. Corocraft. |
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| Wide sash (far left) - new shape. Flared spotted nylon in royal, pale blue, emerald or red. Sizes 10-14 by Gay Girl, 99s 11d. Double buckles (left) - the big belt. Cinched in Soft wool in mustard/green or green/red, red/black. Sizes 8-16, Mornessa, 8½gns. IMAGE CREDITS All images and original text scanned by Sweet Jane from Intro Issue No. 1 September 23rd 1967. Illustrations by Antonio Lopez. |
LINKS
The Official Cathee Dahmen tribute blog (supermodel, muse and friend of Antonio Lopez) can be found here.
The official website for the Antonio Lopez book - Antonio: Fashion, Art, Sex, Disco (published september 2012) can be found here. For those of you who can't make it to the exhibition, some examples of the work on display can be viewed on the East of Mayfair online art gallery here.