The first monograph on renowned fashion illustrator David Downton. With a Foreword by Christian Lacroix, and an Afterword by Dita Von Teese, this book showcases around 150 of David's drawings, featuring celebrities, actors, models, and fashion designers. The illustrations are enlivened by fascinating anecdotes revealing behind-the-scenes stories from the world of fashion. David recounts his inspirations, and specially commissioned photographs show him at work in his residence at Claridge's Hotel in London, where the great and good sit for his portraits

Includes portraits of the following celebrities from the worlds of film, fashion and style: Anouk Aim??e, Gillian Anderson, Catherine Baba, Laura Bailey, Virginia Bates, Marisa Berenson, Cate Blanchett, Susie Bick, Lily Cole, Joan Collins, Sofia Coppola, Sophie Dahl, Ines de la Fressange, Poppy Delevingne, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Catherine Deneuve, Rossy de Palma, Jacqueline de Ribes, Michelle Dockery, Linda Evangelista, Lady Gaga, Daphne Guinness, Jasmine Guinness, Denise Hale, Jerry Hall, Amanda Harlech, Marie Helvin, Carolina Herrera, Elizabeth Hurley, Iman, Farida Khelfa, Karlie Kloss, Yasmin Le Bon, Erin O'Connor, Jade Parfitt, Sarah Jessica Parker, Anna Piaggi, Paloma Picasso, Charlotte Rampling, Coco Rocha, Kristin Scott Thomas, Joan Smalls, Stella Tennant, Donatella Versace, Diane von Furstenberg, Dita Von Teese and Rachel Weisz. Photographs by Tim Petersen and Jacobus Snyman

• a letter from Christian Lacroix
• written by Dita Von Teese Foreword / The varnished truth : a conversation with David Downton
• Portraits
• Sketches : working drawings Afterword /