Fashion Illustration by Berard, c. 1940's gown by Lelong

"Berard" is the signature for Parisian illustrator, Christian Berard (Bebe), who specialized in a romantic, baroque illustration style. Originally he designed costumes and theater settings, later on he would be recruited by the big fashion magazines for his illustrations. Berard would eventually illustrate for both "Vogue" and "Harper's Bazaar" during the 1930's and 40's.

Berard studied painting with Vuillard when young and his brush style evokes the sensitive ink line of Japanese brush work. His signature style has a simple almost abstract qualities. He also explored the bright color contrasts often associated with the war years, such as acid green and plum or gold and dark green. Born in 1902, he died young at age 47 in 1949.