BIO

The painterly quality of Stipelman’s work places him firmly in the category of a fine art painter whilst being one of the most respected American fashion artists of the latter half of the twentieth century. For more than twenty five years Stipelman created breath taking illustrations for the pages of Women’s Wear Daily and W Magazine with beautiful, elongated silhouettes that instantly communicated a sophisticated look with vivid clarity. Stipelman’s work brings the impression of movement through a spontaneity of brush strokes, acrylics and watercolour washes that appears timeless in their elegance. Having graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, Stipelman’s first job was as a staff illustrator for the luxury department store Henri Bendel before moving to Women’s Wear Daily in 1965. Here he covered the collections of every prominent American designer including Ralph Lauren, Donna Karen, Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta. In Paris, Stipelman would illustrate Dior, Balenciaga, Pauline Trigère, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent and Courrèges for an American audience. Freelance work included Lord & Taylor and Marshall Field, Estée Lauder and Chanel cosmetics and Valentino. In the 1970s and 80s he was commissioned to draw the portraits of Babe Paley, Jaqueline Onassis and Nancy Reagan. Today, Stipelman shares his passion and knowledge as an esteemed professor at The Fashion Institute of Technology, New York and is author of ‘Illustrating Fashion: Concept to Creation’ (Fairchild Books) now in its third edition.