DOWNTON, MAXWELL, FASHION and ME!

As a young boy I knew I wanted to be an artist partly because of the movies, I ADORED films, that escape to anywhere and any time, to me.. was magical, but my art dream was not so much the excitement of the film itself.., but because of the movie posters that gloriously promised the next thrilling adventure in the cinema foyer. I was obsessed. Those stunningly painted pieces of art showing us James Bond surrounded by a bevvy of beauties while holding his gun pointed suggestively upward while he flew skyward wearing a hi-tech jet pack. Shirley Mclaine cheekily looking over her tattooed shoulder promising the thrilling new start to the 70’s (Sweet Charity). Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood ‘swinging’ Jean Seberg in their Arms (Paint Your Wagon). A host of stars trying to escape an exploding wave in an upside down ballroom (The Poseidon Adventure), the fear of a loan shark creeping upward to an innocent swimmer (Jaws).. the beauty of the hidden moments in film that you could decipher by studying the jigsaw thrill in the art..the list is endless.Bob Peak, Robert McGuinness, Mort Kunstler, Roger Kassel, Drew Struzan, Richard Amsel and Rene Gruau’ (fashion icon), these were my art heroes…outside of my dad of course.

Years later this passion would stand me in good stead for my most audacious pitch. Working as a new creative director at Paper House in 2008, part of my job was to source new ideas for new greeting card ranges..this was all very NEW to ME, so, after an initial panic (and cold sweat)..I thought ‘calm down’ , take a moment..and target what I know.DAVID DOWNTON was (and is) the best fashion artist in the world. His work was everywhere, magazines, books, shops, As (fashion) artist in residence for VANITY FAIR, his beautiful watercolours and graphic cut paper/ink paintings would focus on just part of his model (an eye, eyebrow and a scarlet lip) while using a striking use of negative space which was instantly recognisable.I thought..I shall start here. I knew his work would make an amazing art (card) range with a stylish design intention, using clever cropping coupled with delicate varnishes, flitters and foils…this was a solution already locked in my head. I found a number for his studio on his website, held my breath..and called him.. to my absolute shock.. HE answered. I was now talking to one of my art heroes…. Breathe….

I tried to remain cool as I pitched my idea .. he seemed dismissive and flattered at the same time. A languid, soft spoken voice.. he thought about my request.. he didn’t say no, but said he’d meet me at his studio in Brighton to discuss further.. WOW!.. not only had I spoken to him.. I was going to meet him. (Holy- absolute-Fuck!)I arrived in Brighton early (9am for an 11 O’clock meeting), wearing a very cool brown Paul Smith suit with a hot pink pinstripe and a bronze Kenzo tie, I thought I looked serious and fashionable enough to mean business. He answered the intercom himself and I entered his studio with light pouring through the windows (the only thing missing for me, was the heavenly chorus of an angelic choir). There were no other staff, just him, which surprised me. He was effortlessly cool, with floppy, greying hair, glasses balanced on his nose and dressed in monotone blacks, white and greys. No fuss.. just STYLE. Work was all around the studio and I was trying hard not to OVER enthuse about absolutely EVERYTHING.

He was happy to accept my compliments and excitement but generally diffusing it with self deprecating humour or saying ‘that old thing.. hate that!’ to a masterpiece. One job stood out.. the printing proofs of a fashion magazine he was writing, Bob Peak, Rob McGuinness and Rene Gruau’ were all there and I jumped in with my preferred subject ..he was quietly impressed, The conversation then blossomed .. moving from fashion to art, onto movie icons.. from Sophia, to Anita, to Bardot and Deneuve ..many of whom he’d painted (but hilariously not my preferred ‘Barbra’)

By the end of the meeting he said… “come back and show me some ideas”… I left the meeting as high as that chorus of singing angels. Our future (Henrie award winning) DOWNTON art range was about to be born.Over the next six months.. I had many more visits to Brighton, Each time choosing art for the range while David would show me new pieces and proofs of his books and magazines .. I was a more than willing puppy, but I was also able to talk and engage with this historic fashion/ movie language.

When his new magazine ‘POURQUI PAS? was published in 2008. David invited myself and my new beau (Julian) to the launch at an exclusive hotel in London. We arrived dressed in our very best, Julian was used to mixing with high society from his days as estate manager for properties such as Blenheim, Hidcote and Hanbury Hall, hosting everyone from Queens to presidents. Though we did feel we should join the waiters and cater the event rather than attend as guests, I found it VERY hard not to ask people for their coats! The very highest echelons of London fashion elite were there.. Ditta Von Teese appeared and stopped the party with her burlesque beauty, Erin O’Connor arrived late, in a glorious, voluminous gown with a small white pirate hat, she was flustered having been dropped at the wrong corner by her taxi and ran across the square in what could have been a scene of Audrey Hepburn in SABRINA. David, in his signature black and white chic, cooly greeted each one as a friend would greet a neighbour or good friend.

The big ENTRANCE of the night was reserved for the stunning supermodel, Carmen Dell’Orefice (then at 75), She arrived fashionably late, looking utterly breathtaking, she had a short, eccentric fellow on her arm, with a waistcoat, bow tie, circle glasses and waxed moustache..(he looked like he had stepped out of the royal court of Chitty, Chitty, Bang ,Bang)..David greeted her like ‘a best mate’, she took a glass of champagne, left her jittery beau and joined the party.Julian and I nonchalantly stayed together (and tried not to top up the drinks)..but were kindly included by David, being introduced to one breathtaking icon after another. Though I did turn my back only to see Julian heavily in conversation with the quietly formidable CARMEN. She had taken a shine to him, and they chatted away as he reached for and gave her another glass of Champagne with a ‘clink’. Later I said to him ‘’you were getting on well with Carmen, What were you talking about?”..he said she had asked him …” WHO , exactly..was that ‘funny little man’ I arrived with?”…Julian had no clue.. but relished the THEATRE of it all. I thought it was hilarious.

As Julian’s daughter (Felicity) was then about to start a fashion degree at St Martin’s in London, she became a successful conversation point.. and by the end of the evening we had a copy of the book/magazine signed to her by the cream of London’s fashion elite. We had held our own and been part of an event never to be repeated and never to be forgotten.

After I left Paper House to become a freelance artist again, the relationship between the company and David broke down. However, I was asked by the NEW creative director, to come up with a fashion range of my own. I certainly wasn’t going to copy David Downton, but tried to call on my own art heroes and passion for inspiration. I had no money for beautiful models so based my art on magazines and glamorous people, tweaking and changing them to make them my own.

Years before, an art agent had told me, I couldn’t be all things to everyone with my art offer so, would have to re invent myself for any specific subject.. with these words echoing in my ear..MAXWELL: Nom Du Jour was born (named after my grandfather).

I was passionate about the work (within my obvious limitations), I designed a card range (called FABULOUS..Not MY title), a website, another, more ‘art’ based card range, select images were bought by a group of hotels (for room art). I had a line of beautiful art prints.. and I also had a big exhibition as part of BATH IN FASHION in 2012. Not bad for a novice.

I did see David one more time.. he mentioned Paper House had got somebody else to do some art after their relationship had faltered over ‘the money’. I didn’t have the heart to say it was me. It was certainly nice, even for a short while..

to be ‘In FASHION’