Photography by Lindbergh. Courtesy of Taschen.
There is a sort of alchemy about catching a glimpse of Dior’s archival masterpieces reflected against the glimmering facades of New York City—it is as if we have stepped back in time or into another world entirely, where haute couture is infused into daily life, glamourising our mundane existences one John Galliano collection at a time. But we’d expect no less from legendary fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh, who captured the French couture in the American concrete jungle.
Before Lindbergh passed away this September, he completed a vision that saw his life’s work fused with the vision of the New Look luxury house, in a precious catalogue bearing the double name: Dior/Lindbergh, published now from Taschen. The German photographer’s legacy was archived in a project that saw seventy years of Dior history set against the bustle of Times Square. In an unprecedented move from Dior’s historians, more than eighty archival looks were unearthed from their vaults in Paris and shipped across the Atlantic for the occasion, giving rise to a two volume compendium that catalogues over a hundred images of the house’s creations.
Courtesy of Taschen.
As one of Dior’s closest collaborators, Lindbergh’s perceptive lens captures the intricacies, silhouettes, and textures of each priceless garment in an homage to his life’s work as well as the legendary legacy of the House of Dior. Lindbergh’s uninhibited lens alters the way we consume fashion by projecting it against the contrasting background of the streets of the city, opening up a creative dialogue between two worlds. Extraordinary in both scope and dimension, the project encompasses an era of timeless collaboration in a tribute to an electrifying partnership between two pillars of fashion.
The photobook offers both contemporary and archival looks—some never seen before, others that have been featured in the world’s most prestigious magazines—rendered in signature monochrome style interspersed with technicolour. Lindbergh beauties Karen Elson, Saskia de Brauw, Carolyn Murphy, Amber Valletta and Sasha Pivovarova were among the many models flitting through the crowds and scaffolding of Times Square in the iconic Dior silhouettes, showcasing a collection that dates from the founder’s era to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s. Highlights include Alek Wek, amidst the frenzy of the city, glowing in the immaculate 1947 Bar suit that launched the House of Dior.
Courtesy of Taschen.
Dior/Lindbergh introduced by Martin Harrison (Hardcover, two vols, 520 pages, €150) is published by Taschen.