Guy Bourdin

Guy Bourdin was an internationally acclaimed photographer known for his edgy and provocative fashion images. A long time contributor to Vogue, his unique combination of surreal and suggestive imagery filled the pages of the international magazine during the 1970s and exemplified Charles Jourdan’s revolutionary advertising campaigns. Bourdin would only work with on the condition that he was given full control not only of the scenes he constructed and shot, but also the selection of the final image used. The impact of his friendship with Man Ray left an ever-present surrealist taste to his creations. Compositions such as Charles Jourdan clearly demonstrate his passion for Noir-ish theatre and fantasy that go far beyond the traditional fashion imagery.

Since his death, Bourdin has been hailed as one of the greatest photographers of his field, and his first retrospective exhibition was held at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London in 2003, then touring to the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, and the Jeu de Paume in Paris. Recent retrospectives have been held at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, and Somerset House in London.