The Seven Photographs That Changed Fashion
The Seven Photographs That Changed Fashion is a documentary based on looking at iconic fashion images from throughout the decades and follows one particular photographer John Rankin Waddell also known as "Rankin" in his search around the world to find out what made the certain 'seven images' so iconic and the photographers that shot them and then goes on to try to recreate a modernised version of these images with new, improved and much more modern technology and equipment.
Vogue 1939- White Panama Hat
The first image we see in the documentary is the "White Panama Hat" for Vogue 1939 which was shot by Cecil Beaton.
Cecil Beaton was a world famous photography and often was seen to have shot images of high society and famous social figures.
Cecil's images were often quite elaborate, quirky yet enforced true beauty.
Rankin recreates his own version of the "White Panama Hat" with singer and model Sophie Ellis Baxter who has a true feel of the 1930's model material, he first starts out using the equipment that Beaton would have used back in the 30's but realises just how difficult it is proving to be to get the correct shot when there is no mirror or digital image on the lens to check the shot. Rankin then switched back to using a digital camera which proves to take a lot less time and was quicker paced.
Vogue Cover 1950- Erwin Blumenfeld
Rankin with Hiedi Klum
Rankin then goes onto to finding out more about fashion photographer Erwin Blumenfeld and find out bait more about his background and the Vogue cover that he shot in 1950 which still remains one of them most world famous cover images.
Rankin found out that Blumenfeld developed all his own work backstage in the dark room and shot more cover shoots than any other photographer at that time. The original cover image was so simple and direct to the point but still enraptures feelings and emotions in the way the model posed and the image was shot. The image still works even though its missing an eye and eyebrow and the nose has been brushed out, its still captivating and a feel of true beauty is still there.
Rankin's recreation was with model Heidi Klum as she has a similar resemblance to the original models features and she can be versatile to whatever character she needs to be on a shoot.
Dovima with Elephants- Harpers Bazaar 1955
Rankin with Erin O'Connor
Richard Avedon was an American fashion photographer in the 1950's who worked closely with Harpers Bazaar regularly and became there head photographer.
Rankin's recreation of Dovima with Elephants was with british model Erin O'Connor who had previously worked with Richard Avedon before he died and he told her "she reminded him of Dovima and showed her an image of Dovima and called her "the modern day Dovima and what the image represents"
David Bailey- Jean Shrimpton 1960
David Bailey is a London born and based fashion photographer and is the only photographer from all seven who is still alive today. His shots were of many celebrities of the 60's such as The Beatles and East End gangsters The Kray Twins. Most of his photographs revolved around sex and spontaneity, he created some of the most iconic images of the 60's.
Rankin recreated this iconic image of Jean Shrimpton using his model girlfriend Tuuli Shipster whilst David Bailey stands on the sidelines to give his input and advise to Rankin.
The image of Jean Shrimpton gives off a feel of flirtatiousness with an idea of playfulness at the same time.
Helmet Newton- Rue Aubriot 1975
Helmut Newton was a german born fashion photographer who worked regular with Vogue in the 70's- the era of sexual liberation, his images often saw strong women in highly charged scenarios where the fashion photographs suggested something more than just a beautiful snapshot.
Rankin recreated the image using model Jade Parfitt. People say that Newton was not a hands on photographer and was quite distant and reserved.
Rankin with model Jade Parfitt.
Guy Bourdin- Untitled Vogue 1970
Guy Bourdin was a french fashion photographer in the 1950's his images where known as "the edge of pornography", Bourdin's images would stylise sex and beauty, Which is quite brave of Rankin to try to recreate without being too racy and pushing the boundaries too far.
The model Rankin worked with to recreate this iconic image was model and socialite Daphne Guinness he also has the help of Bourdin's assistant Icaro Kosak who worked closely with Guy throughout his career which he described him as "an enraged fawn for the few seconds that led up to a shoot"
Rankin with model Daphne Guinness
Fred with Tyres- Herb Ritts 1984
Herb Ritts was an american fashion photographer in the 80's and created some of the most beautiful fashion images, and mainly concentrated on the black and white photography, this image was commissioned by Franca Sozzani who is now the editor for Italian Vogue, she quoted Herb as "a beautiful photographer who wanted to make beautiful images.
Fred with Tyres was supposed to be just a simple feature about workers in denim.
Rankin recreated the image with model Dave Gandy.
Rankin with model Dave Gandy
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