Rene Gruau was born in Italy in 1909, in an aristocratic family. His father was an Italian, and his mother was French, Rene inherited her surname. In 1924, he moved to Paris and began his career as an illustrator. His early drawings were flooded in Italy, Germany and England. From 1935 to 1939, Rene worked with Femina, Marie-Claire, L'Officiel, L'Album Du Figaro and others. In 1947, his friend, Christian Dior, entrusted him with drawing advertising Miss Dior.