Stavrinos

Illustration by George Stavrinos for the New York Times

(dress design by Mary McFadden)

No... not STAVROS, I said STAVRINOS.  There is a huge difference between Paris Hilton's on-again, off-again man candy, Stavros Niarchos and the brilliant illustrator, George Stavrinos.  The latter was an amazing artist who sketched those fabulous Bergdorf's ads in the New York Times.

"Woman with Six Portraits" by George Stavrinos, 1980

Born in 1948 in Masachusetts, Stavrinos went RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) to pursue his studies.  After graduating (in 1970) and studying for a year in Rome, Stavrinos made his way to New York and soon after, his work started appearing in The New York Times, Gentleman's Quarterly and Cosmopolitan. In the 1980's he created a series of drawings that were used to promote the New York City Opera.

Stavrions sketch "Figure with Sculpture" for Bergdorf Goodman, 1979

Apparently, the master even *taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology in the 80's which was, unfortunately for me, prior to my days at my alma mater.  Sadly, the great Stavrinos passed away in 1990 at the young age of 42 due to complications from pneumonia.

"Ladies in Black Leather" by Stavrinos, 1984

Still, Stavrinos was one of my biggest inspirations despite his relatively short career.  I found the realism of his fashion figures refreshing.  I tried to copy his style to teach myself to draw, but I never quite came close to his genius.

*UPDATE 5.22.2010:  I received some information from Brad Harmann...

George never actually taught at FIT. This is a common misconception that I was able to clear up just recently. He did come in every so often to do a demo and review student portfolios and advise. But he never taught.