‘Fraulein’ by Ellen von Unwerth at the Michael Hoppen Gallery, London

October 17th, 2009 § Leave a Comment

‘Fraulein’ by Ellen von Unwerth : 23 October – 21 November 2009

Born in 1954, Ellen von Unwerth is a German photographer and director who began her career working as a fashion model before she picked up a camera.

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She initially found recognition in the late 80’s when she first photographed Claudia Schiffer, Carré Otis, Eva Herzigova and Drew Barrymore for the Guess? Jeans advertorial campaign. Ever since then top journals such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Arena, Interview, L’uomo Vogue and I-D have been clamoring to publish her striking images of models, film and music stars.

Her career as a model has given her a particularly good advantage when taking pictures – knowing how to make women look good, celebrating their femininity and creating deeply stylish and sexy images without being lascivious or objectifying.

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Ellen has also been responsible for the production of several photography books (see list below) and has directed short films and music videos for the likes of Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Duran Duran to name but a few.

“The Michael Hoppen Gallery is delighted to announce ‘Fräulein’; a show of personal favorites and never previously seen images from the last 15 years. The exhibition at Michael Hoppen will take place in collaboration with TASCHEN who will be publishing a major monograph of Ellen von Unwerth’s work, also entitled Fräulein. The text is written by Ingrid Sischy, the former editor in chief of Interview magazine and currently fashion critic at the New Yorker and a contributing editor for Vanity Fair.

Known for her casual, playful attitude on shoots, her lack of pretense is the key to why her photographs resonate – they feel warm, human and fun. Von Unwerth’s photography revels in sexual intrigue, femininity and sheer joie de vivre.

Fashion and fantasy are enthrallingly combined in a way no male photographer could dare.” MH

Ellen von Unwerth’s signed limited edition prints will be on display over two floors, celebrating female icons in a variety of poses such as Claudia Schiffer, Vanessa Paradis, Kate Moss, Carla Bruni, Natalie Portman among many others.

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