René Gruau, born in Italy in 1909, settled in Paris in 1924 and embarked on his career as a fashion illustrator. He has worked for the greatest names in Haute Couture such as Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Givenchy, Rochas and Elle.

According to René Gruau, "Elegance is fluid and therefore by definition difficult to define, but it is made of desire and knowledge, of grace, refinement, perfection and distinction". With admirably economical means and perfect purity of line, René Gruau expresses and suggests every nuance of luxury and refinement.