Carl Erickson (1891–1958) was a fashion illustrator and advertising artist who was well known for his work with Vogue magazine and Coty cosmetics. He worked for Vogue from 1916 to 1958 when he died; most likely from complications due to alcoholism.
Fashion illustration by Carl Erickson in the 1930s and ’40s
Erickson was commonly known as “Eric,” a name he used to sign his work, which was given to him by fellow students at the Academy of Fine Arts, Chicago. Along with fashion illustration, Erickson was also an accomplished portrait artist. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Queen Elizabeth II, Frank Sinatra, and Gertrude Stein are a few of the public figures who sat for him.
During his early career he lived in New York City, and later moved Senlis, France, with his wife, the fashion illustrator Lee Creelman. They had one child, a daughter named Charlotte. Here below is a set of amazing photos that show fashion illustration by Carl Erickson in the 1930s and 1940s.
Evening gown by Chanel, illustrated by Carl Erickson, Vogue, March 15, 1933
Jean Patou’s bare-backed crepe dinner dress called ‘Hermonione’, illustrated by Carl Erickson, American Vogue, March 15, 1933
Surrealist flaming red velvet hat and blue-green caracul (lambswool) scarf by Schiaparelli, illustrated by Carl Erickson, British Vogue, September 1936
Fashion illustration by Carl Erickson for cover of Vogue, September 15, 1937
Schiaparelli’s satin pajamas with peacock-trained shocking pink housecoat illustrated by Carl Erickson, Vogue, April 1, 1937
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