Brian Stonehouse in his military uniform (left), and in disguise as Michel Chapuis, a French art student, in occupied France in 1942 (right). He survived German concentration camps to become a leading fashion illustrator after the War.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
Brian Stonehouse in his military uniform (left), and in disguise as Michel Chapuis, a French art student, in occupied France in 1942 (right). He survived German concentration camps to become a leading fashion illustrator after the War.
Stonehouse was a spy during the Second World War, and in 1952 became the first new illustrator taken on by Vogue since 1939.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
Stonehouse was a spy during the Second World War, and in 1952 became the first new illustrator taken on by Vogue since 1939.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
His extraordinary visual memory made him both a good spy and a good artist.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
His extraordinary visual memory made him both a good spy and a good artist.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
Before the War he had ambitions to become an artist, but when hostilities broke out this was put on hold.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
Before the War he had ambitions to become an artist, but when hostilities broke out this was put on hold.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
He joined the Army and was recognized by his commanding officer as having potential as a spy, perhaps due to his artistic eye and outsider personality.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
He joined the Army and was recognized by his commanding officer as having potential as a spy, perhaps due to his artistic eye and outsider personality.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
He was selected for the secretive Special Operations Executive and trained as a radio operator. He was given the obvious cover: an art student.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
He was selected for the secretive Special Operations Executive and trained as a radio operator. He was given the obvious cover: an art student.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
He was disguised as Michel Chapuis, a French art student, and parachuted into occupied France.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
He was disguised as Michel Chapuis, a French art student, and parachuted into occupied France.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
His cover story was that he was on assignment for Vogue. Extraordinarily enough, this would later come true.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
His cover story was that he was on assignment for Vogue. Extraordinarily enough, this would later come true.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
He evaded capture for a year, but was eventually arrested by the Gestapo, and spent the last two-and-a-half years of the War in captivity.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
He evaded capture for a year, but was eventually arrested by the Gestapo, and spent the last two-and-a-half years of the War in captivity.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
Stonehouse survived three Vichy prisons and five Nazi concentration camps, including the notorious Dachau
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
Stonehouse survived three Vichy prisons and five Nazi concentration camps, including the notorious Dachau
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
Part of the reason for his survival was his artistic talent: he volunteered to sketch the guards' wives and girlfriends, gaining advantages in the process.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
Part of the reason for his survival was his artistic talent: he volunteered to sketch the guards' wives and girlfriends, gaining advantages in the process.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
After the War, Stonehouse was a witness at the War Crimes Tribunal.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
After the War, Stonehouse was a witness at the War Crimes Tribunal.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
It was there that he met the American socialite Harry Haller, who later introduced him to the New York fashion scene.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
It was there that he met the American socialite Harry Haller, who later introduced him to the New York fashion scene.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
He was soon snapped up as a fashion illustrator, and his suaveness helped him thrive in high society.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
He was soon snapped up as a fashion illustrator, and his suaveness helped him thrive in high society.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
Stonehouse worked for Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, among others.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
Stonehouse worked for Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, among others.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd
Brian Stonehouse died in 1998, and a new book explores his life.
Tinker, tailor, artist, spy —
Brian Stonehouse died in 1998, and a new book explores his life.
Copyright Abbott and Holder Ltd