The Minories Art Gallery in Colchester is currently displaying a delectable collection of 1960s fashion illustrations, as Janine Rudkins from Lesley’s Girls discovers.

The Minories Art Gallery is a hidden gem in Colchester. I say hidden because though it’s growing in popularity and exposure, it has the feel of a secret gallery. The current ‘Sonya Todd: Illustrating Fashion’ exhibition presents “a range of original ink and watercolour drawings, along with period advertisements and a selections of Sonya’s sketchbooks, articles, influences and associated material.”

Sonya worked as a fashion illustrator during the 1960s, producing work for the likes of C&A and Bentalls, as well as illustrating Joanna Lumley during her role in the New Avengers and most notably working for Biba.

I adore how some of the images are still reminiscent of the designs of the previous decade with the femininity of fashion and shape; then they move forward to the more colourful and innovative images which I always associate with the 1960s. It is clear to see how Sonya was influenced by the Pop Art period.

Fashion illustrations are some of my favourite things to look at – partially because they remind me of the front of vintage sewing patterns (one of my vintage addictions) and also because fashion illustrations portray the image of what the clothes should look like, conveying more of the feel of the clothes than a photograph of a model wearing them can.

Sonya Todd: Illustrating Fashion is on until Saturday 17th November 2012 at The Minories Art Gallery, Colchester.

This post has been reproduced with kind permission from Janine Rudkin’s blog, Lesley’s Girls. Janine sells a carefully curated selection of beautiful vintage clothing. Have a browse at the fabulous selection here. 

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