PRESS RELEASE 17. August 2021
CAPTIVATE! FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE 90’s. CURATED BY CLAUDIA SCHIFFER 15 September 2021 – 9 January 2022
Claudia Schiffer, Supermodel and global fashion icon, curates her first exhibition. Captivate! brings some of the most impactful ‘90s fashion photography created in the analogue era, to the audience. With approximately 150 exhibits, Schiffer illustrates the impact and significance of fashion photography, and the people who created some of the most famous images in the world.
Rarely seen material meets major photographic works of more than 20 of the most influential fashion photographers, in a rare and for some, first time group showing – from Richard Avedon and Juergen Teller to Ellen von Unwerth. Schiffer evokes the feeling of dynamic change within the fashion world of the nineties, expanding beyond traditional ideals of beauty. Runway moving images and memorabilia from her private archive complete the story.
“Claudia Schiffer is a major figure on the fashion scene as well as an informed observer, and this is precisely what makes her view of the subject so unique,“ says Felix Krämer, General Director of the Kunstpalast. “I am delighted that Claudia has accepted our invitation to open up to the audience an individual and knowledgeable view of 1990s fashion photography, as a first-time curator.“
In thematic sections, Schiffer reveals key aspects of fashion photography: iconic imagery of her colleagues such as Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss or Cindy Crawford demonstrate the ‘Supermodel phenomenon’ and space is dedicated to the boom in global advertising campaigns, as well as the all-important ‘cover shot’. Visitors can experience the runway and see behind the scenes of fashion shows and shoots. There is also from the curator’s own archive, a glimpse into Schiffer’s personal story of the decade.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR PRESS KUNSTPALAST PAGE Marina Schuster Christina Bolius Ehrenhof 4-5 1/3 Head of Press / Press Press Officer 40479 Düsseldorf, Germany Spokesperson T +49 (0)211-566 42 502 www.kunstpalast.de Tel +49 (0)211-566 42 500 [email protected] [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE 17. August 2021
“Fashion photography is a great cipher of trends and dreams. While born out of the moment, it can achieve a timeless status and capture a bigger story”, Claudia Schiffer emphasizes. “The most memorable images are often provocative and challenge our perceptions of femininity and beauty. The 1990s was a watershed decade that welcomed fashion photography, and photographers as a driving force in visual culture”, adds the curator.
Captivate! shows the numerous formats of fashion photography in the pre-digital age – from fine art prints to Polaroids, contact sheets, fashion magazines, to campaigns and sed cards. It also highlights the strong contrasts between iconic cover shoots, runway imagery and candid backstage snaps.
“Where the 1980s was defined by perfectionist high glamour, the 90s was about energy, reality and personality and the show also captures that big shift.“ summarises Claudia Schiffer. “Young designers, photographers, stylists and art directors, as well as hair and makeup artists emerged and fundamentally changed the way we view fashion and design. I really wanted Captivate! to capture the visual experimentation and freedom of expression.“
Accompanying the exhibition is a coffee table book published by Prestel globally at a price of 55 euros, museum edition 48 euros. Captivate! Includes a conversation between Claudia Schiffer und Felix Krämer, personal essays from fashion luminaries Carine Roitfeld, Christiane Arp and Ellen Von Unwerth, as well as quotes from leading industry figures such as Anna Wintour, Edward Enninful, Grace Coddington, Donatella Versace and Valentino Garavani. This stunning book also draws on a rich panorama of amazing characters and places, which made the decade so memorable.
The exhibition features: Richard Avedon, Gilles Bensimon, Angelica Blechschmidt, Walter Chin, Michael Comte, Corinne Day, Patrick Demarchelier, Arthur Elgort, Ross
CONTACT DETAILS FOR PRESS KUNSTPALAST PAGE Marina Schuster Christina Bolius Ehrenhof 4-5 2/3 Head of Press / Press Press Officer 40479 Düsseldorf, Germany Spokesperson T +49 (0)211-566 42 502 www.kunstpalast.de Tel +49 (0)211-566 42 500 [email protected] [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE 17. August 2021
Feltus, Hans Feurer, Russel James, Karl Lagerfeld, Peter Lindbergh, Roxanne Lowit, Helmut Newton, Doug Ordway, Herb Ritts, David Sims, Mario Sorrenti, Juergen Teller, Mario Testino, Ellen von Unwerth und Bruce Weber.
The exhibition is sponsored by Sotheby’s Auction House and Julius Bär Bank.
Captivate! Fashion Photography From the ‘90s will be at Kunstpalast Düsseldorf from 15th September 2021 – 9th January 2022. For more information please visit https://www.kunstpalast.de/
About Claudia Schiffer
Claudia Schiffer was born in Rheinberg, Germany in 1970. She was first discovered in 1987 by a model agent in Checker’s Dusseldorf discotheque and is one of the original and most in-demand Supermodels of all time. She has featured on the cover of over 1000 globally renowned titles, in a career that spans more than 30 years. She has also been the subject of the most renowned photography of our time.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR PRESS KUNSTPALAST PAGE Marina Schuster Christina Bolius Ehrenhof 4-5 3/3 Head of Press / Press Press Officer 40479 Düsseldorf, Germany Spokesperson T +49 (0)211-566 42 502 www.kunstpalast.de Tel +49 (0)211-566 42 500 [email protected] [email protected]