Last January Amini Carpets debuted their Icons rug collection, dedicated to Italian-French artist René Gruau, in Paris. For 2021, Amini launched the second collection celebrating Gruau’s work with an exhibition titled ‘Á la mode de Gruau’ at the brand’s Milan showroom at Via Borgogna 7 (16 February-13 March 2021).
A self-taught illustrator and scene and costume designer, René Gruau launched his career by working with French fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire. He became one of the best known artists of the haute couture world during the 1940s and 1950s and was hired by major designers like Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Lanvin and Givenchy. Today Gruau’s work is in the permanent collections of many art institutions, including the Louvre in Paris.
Spotlighting some of the most iconic graphic works of Gruau from Fede Cheti’s historical archives, Amini has produced three limited-edition hand-knotted wool rugs titled Man, Woman and Cap. Alongside the rugs, the exhibition ‘Á la mode de Gruau’ also features a selection of drawings, documents and photographs to complete this tribute to the artist.
