David Downton talks at LCF

David Downton or his alter ego DD was refreshingly humble, honest and at times humorous. He freely admitted that fashion was not his forte, and described his rural Kent upbringing in a 'sporting household' as a 'happy solid childhood'. He talked freely of his early ambitions to illustrate film posters and gave examples of some that he believes that his current work and style are based on.

'DD' self proclaimed that he was a child genius when it came to drawing, a belief that stayed with him until college where being surrounded by other artists he felt that his talent maybe wasn't as special as he had always been told. Working briefly as a car salesman for a while he forgot about his illustrations until he eventually got a lucky break at 'Look Now'. From there he spent 15 years working his way up and that is when magic truely struck! 1996 Couture Paris, David was asked to sketch and it was like ' parting the velvet curtain into Narnia'

The rest of the talk was awash with his opinions of fashions master illustrators, Rene Gruau, Giovanni Boldini, Bernard Blossac and Bob Peak. And his tales of extravagance behind closed doors, one he described with hushed tones was of him drawing at a dress rehersal for Valentino. The models were in full make-up and hair Vantentino's family were in attendance, the music was loud and just before the models appeared to sashay down the half catwalk, Valentino would slip in with his procession of pugs. As he sketched the models were told to point  their 'hips to the chandiliers'.

"who wouldn't put the whiskers on the cat?!" DD

Giovanni Boldini

Bernard Blossac



Through out the talk David reflected on how his inspirations were reflected in his own work and called upon Erin O'Conner who was present in the audience to agree with him on his nostalgic memories of sittings. He also gave us some little laughs like when illustrating Dita Von Tease, she was changing into a curtain because the Dior leopard robe didn't turn up and all the men trying to sneak a peak!

 He confided that he likes his illustrations 'to be loose and free' but that 'people expect polish' and that one of his favourite illustrations that he has done is of Lily Cole because of it contains all which he holds important 'likeness, the dress, collage and backstage'.

David Downton started to call himself DD to distance himself from the person he had to become when in illustrator mode as he felt he was more capable if it was DD asking Stella Tennant to sit for him instead of himself. He then told how Stella Tennant indeed did come to model for him:

DD: Can i draw you?

ST: Sure but I am off to New York

DD: Oh so am I! (complete fabrication haha)

ST: OK then well when are you going?

DD: Hmmm .. . errr when are you going?!

David Downton or DD is an amazing illustrator with amazing stories which he is more than eager to tell to all. I throughly enjoyed his talk and was rather chuffed that he signed my copy of 'Masters of Illustration' after. I fell in love with his work a year ago but last night i fell in love with the man. OHH and i also managed to see Erin O'Connor in the flesh! Very tall as expected but somehow incredibily ordinary to look at! well you can't win em all!



PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EVENT BY SOPHIE EGLETON