The French-based aviation apparel company Barnstormer-USA has unveiled a new apparel line inspired by the work of renowned French aviation artist Romain Hugault. The collection is the result of a close collaboration between Hugault and the Barnstormer-USA team, built on a shared passion for aviation and a long-standing creative partnership.
Romain Hugault is widely regarded as one of France’s leading aviation illustrators. His fascination with flight and art began in childhood, shaped by his father, a military pilot. After earning his pilot’s license at seventeen, Hugault chose to pursue a career in illustration, studying at the École Estienne in Paris. He has since become known for his meticulously detailed aviation comics, reference books, airshow posters, and the acclaimed Pin-Up Wings artbook series, which together have sold more than one million copies worldwide.
A dedicated pilot himself, Hugault owns and flies a restored 1942 Piper L-4B Cub, reflecting his deep personal ties to aviation. His career spans more than two decades and includes collaborations with major institutions such as La Monnaie de Paris, the Shuttleworth Collection, IWC Schaffhausen, and major airshows across Europe and the United States. His work is distinguished by a unique blend of traditional pencil drawing and digital coloring, crafted to convey atmosphere, motion, and the visceral experience of flight. Creating a single comic book—often comprising several hundred illustrations—typically requires about a year of work.
Barnstormer-USA’s new apparel collection showcases Hugault’s artistry through high-quality garments produced with premium materials, expert workmanship, and meticulous attention to detail. Each piece reflects the same commitment to historical accuracy and visual storytelling that defines Hugault’s illustrations. The collection also features designs inspired by the true story of the F-14A NH-103, one of the central aircraft depicted in Hugault’s latest project, TOMCAT.
