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Michael Vollbracht
Michael Vollbracht is a modern day Renaissance man. He is an
accomplished artist, a distinguished fashion designer, a published author
and an international illustrator. His illustrations are found across the
world and his paintings are in many public and private collections
including those of Mrs. Gerald Ford, Diane von Furstenberg and Elizabeth
Taylor.
Born in 1947 in Quincy, Illinois, Vollbracht began his career in 1965 as a
student at the Parsons School of Design in New York City He graduated in
1969, winning the Norman Norrell Award, the school's highest honor,
named for the legendary American designer. The award was presented to
Michael by Bill Blass and thus began a long and lasting friendship.
In 1969, Geoffrey Beene selected Michael to become a member of his
design team. In 1971, his talents were recognized by Donald Brooks, who
hired him to work under his label as the designer for Boutique Donald
Brooks. Vollbracht joined the elegant store Henri Bendel in 1973 as their
in-house illustrator.
In 1975, Vollbracht began working for Bloomingdale’s illustrating the
stores’ advertisements. Vollbracht’s modern works became instantly
recognizable, including his design of the now-iconic Bloomingdale’s
shopping bag. It bore his sketch and his name - but not the store's name.
An error had occurred and was only discovered after nine million bags had
been printed. It was a great story that made him a sensation.
In 1979, Michael launched Michael Vollbracht LTD. His collection was
known for its bold shapes and great graphic prints. It was sold in
boutiques and major department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf
Goodman and Saks Fifth Ave. After just one year in business, Michael
received the prestigious Coty American Fashion Critics Award for Designer
of the Year.
In 1985, Vollbracht wrote, illustrated and published his book Nothing
Sacred a visual memoir and diary of his 25 years in New York. In that same
year, he closed his design house and moved to Florida to concentrate on
his art and illustrations.
In 1999 Michael's great friend and mentor, Bill Blass called on him to work
with him on “Bill Blass: An American Designer" the retrospective exhibition
of Blass' career at Indiana University’s art museum in 2002; and to edit the
coffee-table book that accompanied the exhibition. Vollbracht spent
months going through Blass' archive of suits, dresses and evening gowns to
prepare for the retrospective. After Bill Blass died in 2002, Vollbracht was
appointed Artistic Director of Bill Blass Ltd..
After five years as designer, Michael made the decision to once again
leave the hectic fashion world and his elegant gray offices to return to his
peaceful cottage in Florida and pursue his art career full time.
accomplished artist, a distinguished fashion designer, a published author
and an international illustrator. His illustrations are found across the
world and his paintings are in many public and private collections
including those of Mrs. Gerald Ford, Diane von Furstenberg and Elizabeth
Taylor.
Born in 1947 in Quincy, Illinois, Vollbracht began his career in 1965 as a
student at the Parsons School of Design in New York City He graduated in
1969, winning the Norman Norrell Award, the school's highest honor,
named for the legendary American designer. The award was presented to
Michael by Bill Blass and thus began a long and lasting friendship.
In 1969, Geoffrey Beene selected Michael to become a member of his
design team. In 1971, his talents were recognized by Donald Brooks, who
hired him to work under his label as the designer for Boutique Donald
Brooks. Vollbracht joined the elegant store Henri Bendel in 1973 as their
in-house illustrator.
In 1975, Vollbracht began working for Bloomingdale’s illustrating the
stores’ advertisements. Vollbracht’s modern works became instantly
recognizable, including his design of the now-iconic Bloomingdale’s
shopping bag. It bore his sketch and his name - but not the store's name.
An error had occurred and was only discovered after nine million bags had
been printed. It was a great story that made him a sensation.
In 1979, Michael launched Michael Vollbracht LTD. His collection was
known for its bold shapes and great graphic prints. It was sold in
boutiques and major department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf
Goodman and Saks Fifth Ave. After just one year in business, Michael
received the prestigious Coty American Fashion Critics Award for Designer
of the Year.
In 1985, Vollbracht wrote, illustrated and published his book Nothing
Sacred a visual memoir and diary of his 25 years in New York. In that same
year, he closed his design house and moved to Florida to concentrate on
his art and illustrations.
In 1999 Michael's great friend and mentor, Bill Blass called on him to work
with him on “Bill Blass: An American Designer" the retrospective exhibition
of Blass' career at Indiana University’s art museum in 2002; and to edit the
coffee-table book that accompanied the exhibition. Vollbracht spent
months going through Blass' archive of suits, dresses and evening gowns to
prepare for the retrospective. After Bill Blass died in 2002, Vollbracht was
appointed Artistic Director of Bill Blass Ltd..
After five years as designer, Michael made the decision to once again
leave the hectic fashion world and his elegant gray offices to return to his
peaceful cottage in Florida and pursue his art career full time.
| DANCING AT THE RAINBOW ROOM |
MARILYN
Click on the images to the right to see the enlarged versions of
Michael Vollbracht's art work.
Michael Vollbracht's art work.
CARY & GRACE
BETTY DAVIS
