Tag Archives: Horst

BOOK REVIEW: Around That Time: Horst at Home in Vogue

Around That Time:  Horst at Home in Vogue 

by Valentine Lawford and Ivan Shaw, photography by Horst P. Horst.
Foreword by Hamish Bowles
Publisher: Abrams.
ISBN 978-1-4197-2224-0
UK £45.00

 aroundthattime-cover

I have to admit that the idea of this book was on my wish list as I was entranced by the 1968 Vogue’s Book of Houses, Gardens, People, which has now become a much sought after book.  Now it has been updated in this glorious volume which features the masterful photography of Horst P Horst and the absorbing essays on the homes and their residents by Horst’s partner the writer Valentine Lawford.  It is the perfect combination and gives us fascinating insights into society, the arts and politics between 1938 and 1985. A huge thank you to all for this great, delightful book which will become a classic!

 

http://abramsandchronicle.co.uk/books/architecture-and-interiors/9781419722240-around-that-time

 

Horst: Photographer of Style

Horst: Photographer of Style, V&A Museum, London SW7, until 4th January 2015

Horst directing fashion shoot with Lisa Fonssagrives 1949 Photo by Roy Stevens /Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images

Horst directing fashion shoot with Lisa Fonssagrives
1949
Photo by Roy Stevens /Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images

This is a fittingly exhaustive exhibition celebrating the life and achievements of the celebrated German-born photographer Horst P. Horst (1906-1999). For most of his sixty year career Horst worked in Paris and New York and what a body of work he produced – fashion, society, travel photographs, nude studies, patterns from nature and surreal-inspired studies.

Patterns from Nature Photographic Collage c. 1945 © Condé Nast / Horst Estate

Patterns from Nature Photographic Collage
c. 1945
© Condé Nast / Horst Estate

His inspirations and way of working are also shown such as in the famous Mainbocher Corset photograph. There are over 90 Vogue covers on show as well interactive screens and a three-sided projection which show some of the most beautiful homes of the rich and famous which he did for his friend, the legendary, Diana Vreeland when she was editor of House and Garden and Vogue.

Installation image of Horst - Photographer of Style (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Installation image of Horst – Photographer of Style
(c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The exhibition covers his life from the early 1930s onwards and among those we meet along the way are Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, Salvador Dalí and Jean-Michel Frank. Also you will encounter stars like Rita Hayworth, Bette Davis, Vivien Leigh, Noël Coward, Ginger Rogers, Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford. Through his work we meet his models from over the decades, including Lisa Fonssagrives, Helen Bennett, Lyla Zelensky, Carmen Dell’Orefice, Muriel Maxwell and Dorian Leigh. Nor should I forget to mention the countries he visited and photographed in the 40s and 50s – Israel, Iran, Syria, Italy and Morocco.

Marlene Dietrich, New York 1942 © Condé Nast / Horst Estate

Marlene Dietrich, New York
1942
© Condé Nast / Horst Estate

It is a very “social” exhibition and truly worthy of this talented photographer and is a must for both those who know and those who do not know his work. Prepare to be caught up in his very special world of photography.

Corset by Detolle for Mainbocher 1939 © Condé Nast / Horst Estate

Corset by Detolle for Mainbocher
1939
© Condé Nast / Horst Estate

http://www.vam.ac.uk/horst | #Horst

View of ruins at the palace of Persepolis, Persia 1949 © Condé Nast / Horst Estate

View of ruins at the palace of Persepolis, Persia
1949
© Condé Nast / Horst Estate