Fashion was an area of photography that Stafford found to be more accessible to women during her working life, so she turned her lens to both Haute Couture and Prêt-à-Porter during her time in Paris and London. Society women of wealth in pre-WW2 France had their clothes made to measure in Paris’ famous designer Maisons de Couture. Prêt-à-Porter (Ready-To-Wear) was not fashionable until after WW2 when Haute Couture was challenged by the new young designers. When Stafford worked in fashion public relations in Paris, she did not enjoy the restrictions of studio photography and preferred to photograph models in ordinary Paris streets, artists’ ateliers, and away from the elegant backgrounds of the Haute Couture. Having indulged in street photography, Stafford found that she much preferred what life around her offered as a backdrop. In London, Stafford photographed designer Jean Muir’s collections and her star model Joanna Lumley, as well as Biba’s iconic collections. She also photographed Twiggy, capturing some of the media furore and ‘male gaze’ which surrounded her.
FASHION 1950 - 1980
Fashion was an area of photography that Stafford found to be more accessible to women during her working life, so she turned her lens to both Haute Couture and Prêt-à-Porter during her time in Paris and London. Society women of wealth in pre-WW2 France had their clothes made to measure in Paris’ famous designer Maisons de Couture. Prêt-à-Porter (Ready-To-Wear) was not fashionable until after WW2 when Haute Couture was challenged by the new young designers. When Stafford worked in fashion public relations in Paris, she did not enjoy the restrictions of studio photography and preferred to photograph models in ordinary Paris streets, artists’ ateliers, and away from the elegant backgrounds of the Haute Couture. Having indulged in street photography, Stafford found that she much preferred what life around her offered as a backdrop. In London, Stafford photographed designer Jean Muir’s collections and her star model Joanna Lumley, as well as Biba’s iconic collections. She also photographed Twiggy, capturing some of the media furore and ‘male gaze’ which surrounded her.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, having fun at the end of the fashion shoot, Louvre, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, having fun at the end of the fashion shoot, Louvre, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with girl in scuffed boots, Montmartre, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with girl in scuffed boots, Montmartre, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear with children, Montmartre, Paris, c1955. 'Children on the streets of Paris always followed me around to get in on the act'.
Model in Ready-to-Wear with children, Montmartre, Paris, c1955. 'Children on the streets of Paris always followed me around to get in on the act'.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with onlooker in doorway, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with onlooker in doorway, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with Courtin van, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with Courtin van, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with dog, Passerelle des Arts, Paris, c1955. 'Models get stroppy at times and this dog was no exception.'
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with dog, Passerelle des Arts, Paris, c1955. 'Models get stroppy at times and this dog was no exception.'
Ready-to-Wear, Christian Dior Boutique, Paris, 1950.
Ready-to-Wear, Christian Dior Boutique, Paris, 1950.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, Place De Furstenberg, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, Place De Furstenberg, Paris, c1955.
Contact sheet: Children and model in Montmartre, Paris, c1955.
Contact sheet: Children and model in Montmartre, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with policeman, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, with policeman, Paris, c1955.
Model in Chanel lace dress, Haute Couture, Paris, c1955. The model is Dorian Leigh, one of the earliest supermodels of the fashion industry, famous in Europe and the USA.
Model in Chanel lace dress, Haute Couture, Paris, c1955. The model is Dorian Leigh, one of the earliest supermodels of the fashion industry, famous in Europe and the USA.
Model in Givenchy dress, Haute Couture, Tour D'Argent, Paris, c1955.
Model in Givenchy dress, Haute Couture, Tour D'Argent, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear and man in raincoat, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear and man in raincoat, Paris, c1955.
Model in Ready-to-Wear, Place Vendome, Paris, c1955. 'The absence of heavy traffic made it easy to shoot in Paris streets.'
Model in Ready-to-Wear, Place Vendome, Paris, c1955. 'The absence of heavy traffic made it easy to shoot in Paris streets.'
Model in Chanel, Haute Couture, Le Louvre, Paris, c1955.
Model in Chanel, Haute Couture, Le Louvre, Paris, c1955.
Joanna Lumley (left) backstage with models, before Jean Muir fashion show, London, c1966.
In July 2021, Lumley unveiled a plaque honouring Jean Muir on the Bruton Street house in London where she had her studio and showroom.
Joanna Lumley (left) backstage with models, before Jean Muir fashion show, London, c1966.
In July 2021, Lumley unveiled a plaque honouring Jean Muir on the Bruton Street house in London where she had her studio and showroom.
Twiggy, press call, London, c1966.
Twiggy, press call, London, c1966.
Twiggy and Justin de Villeneuve, her manager, London, 1967.
Twiggy and Justin de Villeneuve, her manager, London, 1967.
Celia Birtwell, British textile and fashion designer, London, 1969.
Her work epitomised the trends of the 1960s/70s. Along with her husband Ossie Clark, they created Haute Couture for the rich and famous, including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and royalty.
Celia Birtwell, British textile and fashion designer, London, 1969.
Her work epitomised the trends of the 1960s/70s. Along with her husband Ossie Clark, they created Haute Couture for the rich and famous, including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and royalty.
Ossie Clark and Alice Pollack, major British fashion designers in the ‘swinging sixties’, London, c1969.
Ossie Clark and Alice Pollack, major British fashion designers in the ‘swinging sixties’, London, c1969.
Kings Road, Chelsea, circa 1970.
“Birds of the 70s” - Hot Pants.
Kings Road, Chelsea, circa 1970.
“Birds of the 70s” - Hot Pants.
Model in slinky dress, Chelsea Market, London, c1970.
Model in slinky dress, Chelsea Market, London, c1970.
Biba Boutique, dressing room, Kensington Church Street, London, 1969.
‘Fashion should be fun and enjoyed by everyone, not just the privileged.’ Barbara Hulanicki, Founder of Biba.
Biba Boutique, dressing room, Kensington Church Street, London, 1969.
‘Fashion should be fun and enjoyed by everyone, not just the privileged.’ Barbara Hulanicki, Founder of Biba.
Model wearing famous ‘brown lace dress’. Biba Boutique, Kensington Church Street, London, 1969.
Model wearing famous ‘brown lace dress’. Biba Boutique, Kensington Church Street, London, 1969.
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