René Gruau was born in Italy, on 4 February 1909, he was the son of an Italian Count and a French aristocrat. Gruau became one of the best known and favorite artists of the haute couture world since middle 1930s working with 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, Givenchy...

René Gruau style both echoed classical Asian style drawings and Western style sketches such as of Toulouse-Lautrec ones, this syncretic style is probably the key of his worldwide success. Gruau’s works are nowadays collected and exhibited by the finest art institutions including the Louvre in Paris.