Collection of fashion drawings

Collection covers all aspects of Gibbs output - includes individual sketches of collection designs and the working multi-figure sketches which illustrate how the design was developed and honed. Bill Gibb was one of the fashion industry's most talented and innovative designers. His career quickly blossomed following his nomination as Vogue magazine's Designer of the Year in 1970. Gibb was noted for clothes designed, in unusual combinations of fabric and pattern, to fit and flatter the female wearer. One of Gibb's greatest strengths was his skilful drawing ability. Design sketches and drawings were the starting point for all his collections. Colour notes were made on the sketches and appropriate fabric samples, chosen after research, were then attached. Each finished sketch is a deliberate, carefully drawn technical study from which his pattern cutters could work. There are remarkable details of pocket flaps, belts, fastenings, headwork and fabric print. Gibbs was born near Aberdeen and the gallery staged a retrospective exhibition of Gibb's work in 1990 and has since acquired an important group of costumes as well as these fashion drawings.