Richard Gray
In 1987, while studying in his first year of a fashion design degree at Middlesex Polytechnic, Richard Gray’s illustration work was entered for an Antonio Lopez memorial competition. Anna Piaggi spotted his work, and he was commissioned to draw for her D.P. pages in Vogue Italia and Vanity magazine.
During his career he has illustrated for designers and publications globally, including Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Vivienne Westwood, Agent Provocateur, Dunhill, Oasis (fashion), Rayban, SHOWstudio, Vogue Italia, Commons&sense, A Magazine Curated by Stephen Jones, Vogue Gioiello, Vogue Pelle, Madam Figaro, Io Donna, Flaunt Magazine, The Observer Magazine, the Independent on Saturday Magazine, The Saturday Telegraph, the Victoria and Albert Museum amongst others. His work has been used for editorial, book publishing, packaging, marketing, advertising and exhibition.
He has exhibited in solo and group shows, including in 2004 for Alexander McQueen for the ‘Fashion at Belsay’ Exhibition at Belsay Hall and Alexander McQueen’s Black Exhibition in the same year.
For Anna Piaggi’s ‘Fashion-ology’ exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2006, Gray created an installation tableau of 2D and 3D word play collages called ‘Morpho-illogical’. A one-night exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum called ‘Collage Reportage’ followed, with the concepts developed in ‘Morpho-illogical’ showcased in different galleries around the museum.
Gray was honoured to be asked to create a poster-sized illustration as the invitation for Alexander McQueen’s S/S 2008 show ‘La Dame Bleue’, dedicated to Isabella Blow.
For a commemorative album celebrating 150 years of the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2007, Gray was asked to contribute an illustration as one of the 150 British artists included. His illustrations are included in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s permanent collection.
He has worked in the education sector for over 30 years and has taught at Foundation, BTEC, Degree, and Master’s levels. He has previously taught at the University of Westminster, Central St Martins, the Royal College of Art, Middlesex University, and Rochester University, amongst others. His teaching has focused on fashion design, and he specialises in illustration and portfolio tuition for fashion design students.
In 2007, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Middlesex University.
