Hiroshi Tanabe is one of the most important fashion illustrators working today. He has a unique aesthetic that maintains a directional modernity that derives from traditional Japanese wood cuts.
Hiroshi Tanabe graduated from Tama Art College, Tokyo with a degree in Graphic Design. In 1990 he furthered his education at Milan’s Accademia Belle Arti di Brera to study fine art and sculpture. Tanabe now divides his time between Japan and New York.
Tanabe’s editorial clients include The New Yorker, The New York Times magazine, British Vogue, Vogue Paris, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, GQ, Arena, Vibe, and Visionare. His corporate clients include Anna Sui, Issey Miyake, Escada, Le Sport Sac, Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Nokia, Elektra Records, Sony Music, HBO, J. Walter Thompson, Toyota, Hermann Miller, Guerlain, Shiseido, RMY and Estee Lauder.
In 1997 Pucci International commissioned Tanabe to design a collection of mannequins and wall graphics. With designer, Hideki Nakajima, Tanabe has created two books. blue mode published by Korinsha Press (1998) and #2 published by Graphic-sha (2003). blue mode won a Gold Award from the Art Directors Club in New York. In 1994 he earned world acclaim by winning the Vogue/Sotheby’s Beaton Award for fashion illustration.
Tanabe’s work is held in both public and private collections and has been exhibited internationally.