Monday, June 28, 2010

Strike a Pose!



Did you know that fashion photography all started because of a dare?

Millions of fashionistas all over the world probably don't know this fact. Many of them probably don't care. Truth is, they should.

I always find it amazing that people who long to be in the fashion industry (fashion writers, models, fashion designers, etc.) have absolutely no desire to research the industry they are in love with. They don't know the history. They don't know the foundation.

This past weekend, Kerrie and I were fortunate enough to learn about the history of fashion photography. Our city's art museum recently held an exhibit featuring the most well-known works of Edward Steichen, the father of fashion photography.



Besides being a photographer, Steichen (born in 1879) was also a painter and art gallery and museum curator.

As an early teenager, the American photographer vowed to dedicate his life to art.

By the time he reached his 20s, his photos were already being featured in journals and galleries.

In 1911, his world (and ours), changed forever. Steichen was dared by a friend, Lucien Vogel, the publisher of Jardin des Modes and La Gazette du Bon Ton, to promote fashion as a fine art by the use of photography. The young artist took photos of gowns designed by couturier Paul Poiret. The photos were then published in the April 1911 issue of the magazine Art et Décoration. It is considered the first ever modern fashion photography shoot.


(first fashion photo)

It was also the start of a beautiful career. Steichen became the photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair from 1923–1938, and concurrently worked for many advertising agencies including J. Walter Thompson.

During these years Steichen was regarded as the best known and highest paid photographer in the world.

He took iconic portraits of famous actors, actresses, painters, athletes, playwrights, poets, dancers, journalists, singers, writers, and politicians. His high fashion photos displayed an elegance and glamour never seen before.

His work was so popular, that many famous people longed to be "steichenized." It was a symbol of success.


This Vogue photograph displays two gowns by Madeleine Vionnet. Marion Morehouse, in black, was one of Steichen's favorite models.


Elaborate staging was all part of the game.


I could easily imagine this scene from 1926 in a Vogue editorial today.


Actress Joan Crawford in a dress by Schiaparelli, 1932.


Gary Cooper shows off men's fashion of the time.


Evening shoes by Vida Moore, 1927.


His iconic photo of Greta Garbo.

So, I encourage you all to learn more about Edward Steichen.

In fact, I dare you!

52 comments:

  1. A dare? Really? I didn't know that. I think your absolutely right about people who love fashion & want careers in it but have no clue about the foundation. One time on Project Runway a girl copied a McQueen dress silhouette & she was like Oh I had no idea! How could you not? You need to know info! These photographs are beautiful. The early 1900's were soo glamourous & I think Edward captured the essence of it. I love these photos, especially the 2 ladies on the stairs & Gary Cooper. That's awesome you guys got to see the exhibit! I totally would have gone too!

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  2. wow darling, i love the vintage feeling of these pictures. And I really like the first lace pic. Genious!!! Kisses

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  3. That's so awesome! Wish I could go to that exhibit.

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  4. I never knew how it all started. These pictures were gorgeous and you are right, I can totally imagine that picture from Vogue issue 1926 used today.
    What a great post, thank you for sharing.

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  5. I adore Steichen's artwork by the way. This is a very educational post on the history of fashion photography. I adore photography, but I am more drawn to art/paintings. Excellent post, darling!:-)

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  6. Such a stylish and educational post and yes, I want to learn more about Steichen.
    I adored Norman Parkinson's work, both his fashion shots and the way he always made his subjects look graceful and elegant.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Vix
    xxx

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  7. I wish Glam would come back...and not just for gay guys!

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  8. very informative and well-written post.. thanks for this! :D

    Animated Confessions

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  9. Love this!! Thanks for sharing such a fabulous piece of history with us ;)

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  10. Did you see that Emmy Ray wrote back in my comments section? Sweet!

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  11. Wow, that is very interesting. I really didn't know that. :)

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  12. It's all so stunning -- he was so talented... I'm superjealous that you got to see this exhibit in person!
    xo Josie
    http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

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  13. Thank you for the information dear!!!

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  14. You've certainly inspired me to learn more! Beautifully written piece lady!

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  15. Wow, I knew none of this. How stupid do I feel right now? Thank you so much for this post and for spreading this knowledge!! :)

    -Ashley
    http://breakfastatsaks.blogspot.com

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  16. Very interesting - who would have thought, a dare!! I'm really interested in learning new things, but never thought to explore this, thanks :)

    inbugsdrawers.blogspot.com

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  17. This was so interesting! Thanks so much for sharing! I completely agree that those who want to make fashion their career spend very little time actually researching it and learning about it. Just "loving clothes" is not really enough! I love clothes but that doesn't make me anywhere near qualified to start a career in fashion!

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  18. I love reading about the history of fashion-y things. It's so important to know.

    This was so intersting to read! I can't believe it was a dare.

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  19. Wow thank you for sharing this Jen ! I had no idea about this story before . Thanks to you now I know ! Haha . It's always fun to read about the history of fashion industry ;)

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  20. Amazing post, darling!
    Love all these vintage pics!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  21. Those are some real good photographs. Garry Cooper looks great.
    Thanks for sharing the info. It was enlightening for me.

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  22. Finally somebody who has done their research. I love Edward Steichen's work and realized that I should learn all about the beginnings of fashion photography since I love it so much. Amazing post!

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  23. That's really interesting to know!! I think it's essential to know the history behind the fashion industry and I'm always very curious to learn something about it. Gary Cooper looks so smashing in that photo by the way! xoxoxoxoxo

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  24. I really didn't know that much about him until this post...thank you! I love the vintage photos and they are simply lovely!

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  25. Thanks for this brief history... very interesting. xoxo

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  26. That first picture of gloria swanson is one of my favorites. I saw it in an exhibition last year in Los Angeles. Great post. xoxo

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  27. Those Vida Moore evening shoes are amazing!!

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  28. LOVING THE OLD PICTURES

    Tc

    Check out our blog hope you follow it

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  29. Oh wow that is so interesting! Learn something new every day :)
    http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

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  30. Congratulations, Jennifer! All the hard work you put in entering my giveaway paid off ... you won! You should be recieving an email from CSN soon regarding how to claim your prize. Thanks!

    Sydnie
    www.takemeouttotherunway.blogspot.com

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  31. this is amazing! thanks for more of the background! It is amazing how old photography stands just as tall as photography of today...the technique was just something else

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  32. Great photos. Thanks for sharing this with us. I know very little about the history of fashion photography so I quite enjoyed this post. Thanks for entering my giveaway. Good luck.

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  34. great, informative post. Brilliant pictures too!:)SarahD

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  35. That's interesting, had no idea it started from just a dare! Even though I'm not focusing into photography, I'm definitely going to check out more info about him! Sounds intriguing :)

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  36. amazin post here!!!!!!11

    love all the vintage pics!

    keep visitin!

    kiss

    www.thebeautifulandthehard.blogspot.com

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  37. I think this needs to be published in a magazine - like now! This is so well-researched and interesting, Jennifer - love it!! :)

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  38. Great post, Jennifer! Definitely interesting!

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  39. Wow. That is fascinating. I loved reading this...being the history nerd that I am!

    You do raise an interesting point too. The fashion industry probably stands out in terms of the lack of appreciation for how everyone got there. Kinda sad.

    Great post!

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  40. Wow, who would have guessed it all began on a dare? Very interesting post!

    xoxo
    Amy

    p.s. thank you sweetie for my birthday wishes! you are the best!

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  41. This is a great post, so right about people not knowing the past behind fashion.

    tweet tweet tweet

    x

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  42. This is a great post! Very informative, I love fashion photography but have never heard of Steichen. Thanks for introducing me to him :)

    http://themadjungle.blogspot.com

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  43. This is a really interesting post. I simply had to read it to my brother because he is into fashion and the industry. Beautiful pictures.

    xo, Sophia

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  44. I love Steichen's work! I actually have a big book of his photos at home, it is a constant source of inspiration to me. When I first saw the photo at the beginning of this post, I thought to myself, "I wonder if this is a Steichen post." and it was! Nicely done :)

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  45. This article is so great. x
    Edward Steichen captures so well this glamour time.

    http://aglamorouswayofthinking.blogspot.com/

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