René Bouché’s Elegant Fashion Illustration from the 1940s

Born 1905 in Prague, artist and fashion illustrator René Bouché studied at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich before moving to Paris. In 1938, he began working for Vogue magazine.

During the Second World War, Bouché emigrated to the United States, settling in Manhattan, where he continued working for Vogue. He painted portraits of many prominent figures including W. H. Auden, Nancy Astor, Truman Capote, Jean Cocteau, Benny Goodman, Aldous Huxley, Edward Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Willem de Kooning, Sophia Loren, Igor Stravinsky and the Duchess of Windsor. His illustrations were noted for their accuracy and decisiveness.

Bouché remained active until his death in 1963, aged 57. Below is a collection of elegant fashion illustrations by René Bouché from the 1940s.

Revlon ad illustrated by Rene Bouchè, 1944

Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks (once Lady Ashley) in glen-plaid suit and a dress with matching jacket by Molyneux, illustrated by Bouché, American Vogue, June 1, 1943

Resort collection at Saks Fifth Avenue, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, January 1, 1945

Soft red duvetyn coat, cut-back closing of a Directoire Dandy coat, notched standing colar and 3/4 sleeves worn with sailor with big bow, both from Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, March 1, 1945

Sophie Gimbel with model wearing one of her designs, illustration by René Bouché, Harper's Bazaar, November 1945

A little cape of horse-blanket plaid to wear over a narrow black jersey dress from Henri Bendel, illustrated by René R, Bouché, Vogue, February 15, 1946

Chinese robe of silver brocade lined in crimson by Tewi, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, December 15, 1946

Peignoir in Alençon lace over a blush-of-pink chiffon hostess gown by Mark Mooring, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, December 15, 1946

A full-volume duster in gray striped white in London chambray by Carolyn Schnurer, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, April 15, 1947

A late-day dinner dress in gray Everfast piqué by Joset Walker, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, April 15, 1947

A slate-gray summer evening dress in cotton chambray by Adele Simpson, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, April 15, 1947

A Spanish courtier's coat in an intense red-orange silk velvet splashed with black jet and a stiff flared peplum by Castillo for Elizabeth Arden Fashion, cover illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, October 1, 1947

A summer suit in cool gray tones, pleated skirt in dark gray shantung, ice-gray jacket in chambray by Adele Simpson, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, April 15, 1947

An electric-blue satin dinner dress with shawl-wrap covering bare shoulders by Ceil Chapman, pink satin pumps by J & J Slater, illustrated cover by René R, Bouché, Vogue, November 1, 1947

Elizabeth Arden Essentials ad, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Harper's Bazaar, December 1947

Red shawl over a bare-shouldered ruffle pink dress in chambray by Arpad, cover illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, June 15, 1947

Vogue cover illustrated by René R. Bouché, March 1, 1947

Classic beige, thin wool gabardine dress under a navy wool coat lined in red silk surah and cloche, scarf and parasol also in red surah by Omar Kiam of Ben Reig, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, December 1, 1948

Coq feathers adorn the top, then curves along the side of a pink felt hat, made to order at Bergdorf Goodman, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, March 1948

Elegant red wool suit for Autumn by Maurice Rentner, illustrated by Bouché, American Vogue, September 1, 1948

The plateau hat of natural straw heaped with pale yellow roses and misted with yellow veiling by John Frederics, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, March 1948

A scarlet dotted, cotton voile dress with its own floating stole by Mary Stevens, illustrated by René R. Bouché, Vogue, April 15, 1949

Grand entrance ball gown of pink and red satin by Christian Dior, illustrated by Renè Bouchè, Vogue, October 1, 1949

Schiaparelli's 'Waterlily' dress, a gleaming blade of green satin marked by a giant leaf, illustrated by Renè Bouchè, Vogue, October 1, 1949