Andrew Robb

Andrew Robb was born in Leith, Scotland in 1907. He only uses his surname when sketching. He graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 1926.

After some years traveling, he joined a commercial art studio in London and worked during the 1930's for Vogue and the Daily Express. He returned to the Daily Express as fashion illustrator after World War II to cover the Paris fashion shows.

He remained with the Beaverbrook Newspapers who own the Daily Express for nearly 50 years. He was known for the boldness and economy of his illustrations. His style was pure realism and he contributed a great many illustrations to the Daily Express over his long career with them.

Robb worked closely with Sir Norman Hartnell over the years and has often been entrusted with secrets of a design in advance of world-wide publication. He has collected a unique collection of samples of the exquisite embroideries used in Royal State dresses such as the Queen's wedding dress and the Coronation Gown.

He wrote a book in 1977 called "The Queen's Clothes" detailing his work with Norman Hartnell and describing the sketches which Hartnell submitted to the Queen for her approval. At the top of the page is shown an illustration from that book, showing Sir Norman giving sketches to the Queen.

Robb also illustrated for the Daily Express, dresses worn by the Queen, designed by Hardy Amies and Ian Thomas.