David Downton`s Fashionistas at Claridge's

As the London Fashion Week came to a close, on 17 September I met the undisputed master of fashion illustration, and a distinguished portrait artist - David Downton. Having spent the last few years as Claridge's artist in residence, he amassed a collection of sketches of some of the hotel's most iconic guests, and was showcasing a selection of portraits at the exhibition entitled `Midnight at Noon (and Other Stories)` at Claridge`s.

I asked how long he spends drawing one portrait and he said it could take two hours or a few days; if he doesn't like the image he starts again.  He admitted that even his mother asked him why he often depicts only one eye - his trademark – and confessed he can often express the character of his subject better by just focusing on one eye, as a distinctive feature. He pointed out he wanted to make his subjects look pleasant; not to flatter or to be cruel. He said he usually knows at the start how he wants to portray his models. And he tries to spend as much time as possible with them and found that chatting puts them at ease.

And what the famous fashionistas think at the end of the session?  

-          ` They usually like what they see` - he said.

A study of Carmen Dell'Orefice - model and muse, and Erin O'Connor – model

Poppy Delevinge – model, and Antonio Berardi - fashion designer

I really like the elegant depictions of his sitters, and am pleased to report that the artist behind the iconic images is a truly engaging and amiable person.