Bailey's Stardust: Must See Exhibition

When you think of 1960's fashion photography, theres going to be one name that pops in to your head. David Bailey was one of the biggest photographers of the time and is still considered an inspiration today. Starting from the 6th February 2014 The National Portrait Gallery will be home to over 250 pieces of Bailey's best work in an exhibition celebrating the legendary photographer. 
I don't think you need me to tell you that this will be a definite must see, Baileys portraits of icons such as Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy have become a definitive part of the 60's. Baileys work is classic and instantly recognisable and even though produced over 30 years ago would no doubt fit in the pages of Vogue magazine today just as well as they did in the 60's. 
Whether you're interested in fashion or photography its a definite must see!

Mario Testino Receives OBE

Legendary fashion photographer Mario Testino's work has been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen and he has received an honorary OBE for his work over the years. Testino has photographed the royal family on countless occasions; he photographed Kate and Wills official engagement photos and also his famous shots Princess Diana for Vanity Fair. Testino has kept a close bond with the UK, he is currently based in London and regularly contributes to Vogue UK and this bond has evidently worked in his favour.
As we all know the OBE is generally awarded by The Queen at Buckingham Palace however recipients born outside the UK receive their award from the High Commissioner of their place of birth so in Testino's case Peru. 
Testino came to London in his early 20's to study economics but then decided his loyalties lay with photography and is today one of the most iconic and well known photographers in fashion.  

Remembering Bert Stern: Photographer Dies Age 83

Perhaps most recognised for his iconic shoot of iconic beauty Marilyn Monroe, the noted photographer has passed away in his Manhattan home on Wednesday it has been confirmed.  
Stern was best known for his iconic photographs of Marilyn Monroe, taken for US Vogue 6 weeks before she tragically died. The photos were later published in a book entitled The Last Sitting featured Monroe posing nude or with transparent scarves and were taken over three days in June 1962 at the Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles. The photos became some of the most recognised and praised photos of the young star. 
Bert was born in 1929 in New York and had his first brush with photography by taking photos of the US army for whom he worked as a photographer on a base in Japan. His first shot at the big time came from art director Hershal Bramson who gave him a job for a Smirnoff campaign. From there Stern continued in to photography and later in his career shot a host of classic beauties from Audrey Hepburn to Elizabeth Taylor. In 2002 he shot the cover photo of Sophie Dahl for the May issue of UK Vogue.  
He if often credited with redefining fashion and advertising imagery in the fifties and sixties along with esteemed photographer Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, all offering a cleaner more candid approach to their subjects.
Its fair to say that the photography world has lost a true talent, heres some of Bert's most iconic work. 

BLUMENFELD COMES TO SOMERSET HOUSE

Yesterday afternoon I visited the latest exhibition to inhabit Somerset House's East Wing. 'Blumenfeld Studio: New York 1941-1960' takes a look at the work of esteemed photographer Erwin Blumenfeld. Blumenfeld is one of the most influential fashion photographers of our time, his flawless photographs adorned the pages of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar throughout the 40's and 50's. What made Blumenfeld stand out so much more than your average photographer was his skill and originality, he used various effects using collaging, mirrors and lights etc to create visually stunning pieces of work. What amazed me was how such imaginative images could of been created centuries ago, when there were no means of photoshop or editing software, this just show how talented Blumenfeld was. If you looked close enough you could see that he used no retouching whatsoever, classic beauty Grace Kelly's arm hair was still there and you could see the texture of her skin, yet it was still flawless.
From my point of view, being an avid lover of fashion magazines, it was also interesting to see Vogues covers from years ago and how much they have changed. The exhibition really focuses on vintage photography and shows that it doesn't have to be boring with a model stiff in the centre, Blumenfeld was ahead of the times with his imaginative imagery. The photos I really liked were the ones with the cigarettes, there was one and the model was wearing a flower bracelet and it showed how different smoking was portrayed in those days and was a really beautiful shot. 
The exhibition may seem a little boring to some as there isn't much interactivity and the images are quite small, it is the complete opposite to the Tim Walker Storyteller exhibition which vacated Somerset House a few months ago, but that shows how much photography has changed nowadays, and will be sure to capture the imagination of those who are interested in the art of photography. In fact I feel Blumenfeld may have been the Walker of his day. His photos, like Walkers, are incredibly surreal, magical and precious that it keeps you guessing how it was created. 
I really advise any budding photographers, fashion photographers or lovers of fashion to visit, as its so interesting to see his tricks up close, moreover theres a video playing for you get a deeper insight in to Blumenfeld and his work. You're not permitted to take photos (always a bummer) but I've found some images of Blumnfeld work which I really liked and posted below for you. 
The exhibit runs  till the 1 September so you've got plenty of time to visit especially if you're planning a visit to London over the summer, moreover it's free which is always a bonus particularly for students like me! So get yourselves down there.