“John French: Fashion Photographer” 1985 MENDES, Valerie D. (SOLD) The Cary Collection

(1907-1966)

Victoria and Albert Museum

Over 100 b&w full-page illustrations.

[113] pp.

11″ x 8.5″

1985

Compiled and edited by Valerie D Mendes, with the assistance of Lynn Szygenda, in collaboration with Vere French. Foreword by Roy Strong and introduction by Snowdon.

London. Victoria and Albert Museum. Reprinted 1985. . Wrappers. 175 pages. Over 100 b&w full-page illustrations. 280 x 220mm (11 x 8¾”). 0.8kg. 0905209974. English. Very good;

‘John French, one of London’s top fashion photographers during the 1950s and early 1960s, was once described as “the man who brought a new glamour to fashion photography”. Best known for his impeccably lit, stylish photographs of top models, which featured regularly in the national press, perhaps his most important achievement was to revolutionize newspaper coverage of fashion. Over 100 photographs are gathered here to illustrate his contribution to fashion photography and chart the changes in fashionable dress between 1948 and 1965.

Roy Strong, Snowdon, Vere French, Davie Bailey, Terence Donovan, Charles Fielder, Brigid Keenan and Tania Radcliffe give vivid descriptions of John French’s work and explain his role in the world of fashion photography.’ (from the blurb).

This is the only book on John French and was published to coincide with an exhibition of his work at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The exhibition was based upon French’s archive, which had been donated to the V&A by his widow, Vere French. The catalogue includes a chronology, recollections by those who worked with him, a bibliography and a collection of French’s photographs. The photographs reflect the understated elegance and glamour of the New Look and feature clothes designed in both London and Paris. Designers featured include Barbara Goalen, Dior, Jacques Fath, Anne Gunning, Hardy Amies, Norman Hartnell, Nina Ricci, John Cavanagh, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Mary Quant, Madame Paulette, Barbara Hulanicki and Andre Courreges.