PAST PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS
Contemporary Fashion Photography Exhibition
28 September 2000 - 18 March 2001
Photographer: Craig McDean. Stylist: Alex White. Yohji Yahamoto 1999 |
With the rise of the internet and the growth of magazine titles, fashion imagery has never been so widely available. The distinctions between editorial and advertising photography as well as fine art and commercial styles have, through the last decade, cross-fertilised, creating a diverse creative territory for fashion image-makers. Imperfect Beauty covers a period of great innovation and creativity in fashion photography, highlighting the experimental scope of today's fashion imagery. Displays exploring the world of fashion magazines, design of contemporary beauty and products and fashion styling compliment the exhibition. An installation highlighting the influential image-making group 'Buffalo' is also on show at the entrance to The Photography Gallery at the V&A.
The exhibition is accompanied by a book of the same title, now available in the V&A shop. Further information about the book and details of how to buy it on-line can be found in the Publications section of this site. First-hand interviews with internationally renowned photographers, art directors and stylists are featured in the book, alongside key examples of their work. Contributors include Juergen Teller, David Sims, Melanie Ward, Fabien Baron and Nick Knight.
Photographer: Corinne Day. Stylist: Melanie Ward, The Face 1990 |
Charotte Cotton, Assistant Curator, writes:
Fashion photography constitutes one of the most important areas of our visual culture. There are many questions about the production of fashion photography - such as who makes it, who commissions it and what will it look like in the future - that an increasing number of visitors to the V&A are asking us.
Imperfect Beauty: The Making of Contemporary Fashion Photographs is our first opportunity in the programme of exhibitions for the Photography gallery at the V&A to respond, in detail, to such questions and address this fascinating area of photographic practice. In my research, I have listened to the views of fashion image-makers - including photographers, stylists, hair and make-up artists, art directors - and gained an insight into their collaborations.
Photographer: Elaine Constantine. Stylist: Mark Anthony. Parco, Japan 1999 |
Imperfect Beauty that in some way reflect their inspirations, working practices or perceptions of their industry. It is going to be an exciting exhibition that goes beneath the surface gloss of fashion photography. I hope that visitors of the Museum this autumn will find it thought-provoking and, of course, beautiful.