Frank Antony Viramontes (Parents: Frank and Anita Viramontes; Brothers: Manuel, Ed, and Ralph)

Tony Viramontes (1956–1988) was a defining force in 1980s fashion illustration, known for his aggressive, high-contrast style that captured the raw energy of the New Wave and Post-Punk eras.

Born Frank Antony Viramontes in California to a Mexican-American family, he studied at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and later at Parsons and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. While the dominant style of late 70s fashion illustration was soft and pastel, Viramontes introduced a radically different aesthetic: bold, dark, and direct, often using charcoal, gouache, and heavy ink to create “screaming bodies contorted into graphic shapes.”

His career took off in Europe and Japan, where he worked with major fashion houses including Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Chanel, Claude Montana, and Jean Paul Gaultier. His editorial work appeared in influential publications such as Vogue, The Face, i-D, Marie Claire, and Le Monde.

Beyond fashion, Viramontes made a significant impact on pop culture through his work in the music industry. He created the iconic album cover for Janet Jackson’s Control (1986) and the artwork for Arcadia’s So Red the Rose (1985), cementing his status as a visual architect of the 80s aesthetic. He was also an active photographer, often shooting his own reference material which later became appreciated as art in its own right.

Viramontes died of an AIDS-related illness in 1988 at the age of 31. His work fell into relative obscurity shortly after his death but has experienced a major resurgence in the 21st century, with comprehensive monographs and exhibitions (such as Bold, Beautiful and Damned) restoring his legacy as one of the most important illustrators of the late 20th century.
Active in others filds : Photography, Album Cover Design (Music Industry).