12 May 2011

Henry Clarke: the lenses of elegance

I often turn to the incredible black and white photography of Henry Clarke to admire the fashion of the 50s, because he was able to capture the beauty of every woman he photographed, the quintessence of haute couture and the style of that era in such an elegant and unique way. His works were the epitome of sophistication and were published in the book L’élégance des Années Cinquante.

Henry Clarke worked with the French, English and American editions of Vogue for more than a quarter of a century. During the 60s, Diana Vreeland, editor-in-chief at Vogue US, sent him all over the world, from Mexico to India and Syria, for editorial shootings. His photography from that period splendidly integrated the innovative, fast-moving and colourful fashion of the decade into the exoticism and specific of the place, making the architectural and archeological sites an indelible setting for his no less memorable pictures. He left his entire archive to the Musée de la Mode et du Costume in Paris.

 

 

More photos in this related post.
photos: Henry Clarke via here and here

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19 Responses to Henry Clarke: the lenses of elegance

  1. Gabriella {sensiblyluxe} wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 7:34 am

    Oh these are beautiful. I couldn’t even pick a favorite.

  2. LatteLisa wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 9:48 am

    I’ve seen some of these images before. So sophisticated and beautiful; it almost makes me sad to have missed that era!

    Thank you for sharing Ada.

  3. Christine of Fash n Chips wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 10:08 am

    Stunning! The first one esp is exquisite. x

  4. María wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 10:35 am

    These old images are all beautiful. the style has always existed!

  5. ana wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 11:43 am

    lovely
    preferata mea este acea fotografie facuta pentru balenciaga in 1954 care s-ar putea numi lady with the little dog 😉
    https://myvintagevogue.tumblr.com/post/155709656/1954-balenciaga-photo-by-henry-clarke

  6. la Vinia wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 1:23 pm

    gorgeous! My favorite is the woman on the stairs…and all black and whites

  7. juste wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 1:45 pm

    Wow Wow Wow! I just stopped breathing. Amazing works, so elegant, soft and feminine. The shapes of models, dresses, locations! Thank You Ada, for sharing, so much inspiration in these images!

    have a good day!
    Juste

  8. Monica wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 3:10 pm

    he is a master at capturing elegance.

  9. LittleRus wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 3:46 pm

    Stunning works! I now need the book… What I admire the most is the fact that photographers didn’t have a luxury of photoshop or modern lighting and other bits and pieces, and yet these talented individuals created such an art… It fascinates me… x

  10. Blogalexboutique wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 4:06 pm

    Revival!
    J’adr Sofia Loren Style!

    Alex b

  12. ali&mari wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 5:31 pm

    amazing pics!!!

    twice-asnice.blogspot.com

  13. Kate L. wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 8:21 pm

    They are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

    Fashion Cat
    http://www.firstlookbook.blogspot.com

  14. Angel @ | 77inspire | wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 9:16 pm

    old images are the best. the women were different back then… i dont know what it is. something so glamorous

  15. Shin wrote on
    --> 12 May 2011 at 11:10 pm

    These photos are so breathtaking Ada! I absolutely adore each and every one of them! I’m amazed at how modern and relevant some of the photos are compared to today’s editorials! The girl with the polkadot dress in the black and white photo is just stunning…if I could pick a favorite, that would be it! Have a wonderful day! xoxoxoo

  16. Clare wrote on
    --> 13 May 2011 at 3:48 am

    Wow I am blown away. I love the clothes and the photos and EVERYTHING. Incredible.

  17. julie at BV wrote on
    --> 13 May 2011 at 3:08 pm

    What a master in his field. Love how actual and gorgeous the photographs are still today.

  18. amourette wrote on
    --> 14 May 2011 at 10:48 pm

    just GORGEOUS!!