The talented artist René Gruau was the son of an Italian Count and a French aristocrat, Marie Gruau. Gruau became one of the best known and favorite artists of the haute couture since the mid 1930s, he worked with several publications such as Femina, Marie-Claire, L'Officiel, L'Album Du Figaro and an assortment of high-style magazines. René Gruau was one of the most famous fashion illustrator ever, he worked with the major fashion designers and high fashion brands of his time such as Dior, Cardin, Chanel, Balenciaga, Balmain, Rochas, Lanvin, Elizabeth Arden and Givenchy. In 1948 he moved to America. He contributed to Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue and became the exclusive artist for Flair magazine.

René Gruau has drawn inspiration from Japanese woodcuts and late 19th Century art and posters, this syncretic style echoed classical Asian style drawings and Western style sketches. He never liked the fine pen lines and delicate watercolours that pervaded illustration from 1910 to 1930, preferring the heavier brushed ink or charcoal outlines. The distinctive and highly recognizable characteristic of Gruau's illustrations contributed to the key to his worldwide success. Gruau is actually his mother's last name, he borrowed his mother's name, and whenever he signs above the character G for a signature, a star is seen surmounted above it. Gruau’s works are nowadays collected and exhibited by the finest art institutions including the Louvre in Paris.