Come to Gian Paolo Barbieri Exhibition with Me

I have wanted to go to Gian Paolo Barbieri Exhibition at Paul Smith Mayfair store for so long. However, I have been so busy and nearly missed this exhibition. At the very last minute, I made it. And I really hope you enjoy reading this, since it is such a rare chance ... ...

I have always admired the works of Gian Paolo Barbieri who is one of the top photographers in the fashion industry. He has incredible eyes for fashion, nature and art - mixing the characteristics and individualities of his model no matter it nature or a famous face with art. Famously, he joined Italian Vogue and produced the cover of its first issue in 1965, and he has then worked for Italian, French, American and German Vogue and with many great designers from Valentino, Armani, Yves Saint Laurent to Vivienne Westwood. Thus, I have to go to have a look. 15 pieces of his iconic work are exhibited and each print is in editions of 7 and signed by Barbieri. Prices:

Edition 1 – 3 GBP3,800

Edition 4 – 5 GBP5,200

Edition 6 – 7 GBP6,400

Even we cannot afford any of them, we can still absorb a lot of inspiration from these incredible photographs. I have to say that every piece is just awesome. Back in 70s, these photos require much more work. Many of the “air brushing” was manually done by hand, e.g. hand painting enlarge models’ eyelashes.

• At the Gian Paolo Barbieri private view on April 22, 2008

From left to right: Gian Paolo Barbieri, Paul Smith and photographer David Bailey

P.S. At the age of 70, Gian Paolo Barbieri looked amazing.
Apparently, the suit he was wearing is the one he got in 60s and he can still fit in perfectly.

Paul Smith and his wife




Photographs: View Images

OK, let's go in have a good look! I always love this unique shop, which displays many unique vintage pieces that Paul Smith has collected during his travelling around the world, from jewellery to large furniture. Even the wallpaper is from 1940s...

Cute Panda Sculpture with that cute cupcake

• The work displayed

1. Anjelica Huston, Portrait, 1973 - The centre of this exhibition
   
   “This beauty shot was produced in my studio in Milan in 1973 for Walter Albini. I remember that Anjelica was extremely knowledgeable in the use of cosmetics and that she did her own particular green makeup."

   

2. Anjelica Huston, Yellow Dress, 1972

   “This was printed in 1972 in Rome for a press maison Valentino. In this period, Anjelica was in search of her identity and I remember was extremely sensitive and fragile; we established a beautiful friendship.”

   

3. Audrey Hepburn in Black Hood, 1975

   I have a wonderful memory of Audrey Hepburn….the image was taken in Valentino’s atelier in Rome for Vogue Italia in 1975 and I had no clothing available, only shawls. This was a “Gazar di Ahbraham” and because of its rigidity I was able to create this particular “hood”.

   
4. Audrey Hepburn in White 1975
   
   
   Scarves in white Gazar…… the photograph was taken in Rome in Valentino’s studio for Vogue in 1975, (but never published). Audrey Hepburn arrived with a tiny purse and told me: “Barbieri, I brought my slippers with me so I was sure not to dirty your white background."

   

5. Ingrid Boulting, Maglia Rossa / Red Jumper 1974

   “Ingrid was particularly photogenic, and this photo was produced for a Revlon Europe Campaign in 1974. I was always on the lookout for new ideas; I remember using my scarf to create her headscarf, with lateral knots inspired by the ways of them farmwives in times past.”

6. Ivana Bastianello, “Collana di Coralli” / Coral Necklace, 1969
   
   “It was the year 1969 and Ivana, very shy, had consented to be graphed topless. Coppola e Toppo had created these jewels for a Valentino collection and I remember in particular that her sad reflection, almost but not quite absent, was due to the fact that she had recently broken up with her boyfriend."

7. Tattooed Torso, Tahiti, 1989, Robinet d’Amour

   “This completely tattooed torso was photographed in Tahiti in 1989 in a room of the hotel I was staying in….. I was struck by the graphic design and writing above his public line 'Robinet d’Amour'”.
   

8. Sail Fish, Madagascar, 1994

   “I was on a beach in Madagascar 1994 where we had stopped after a go a fishing trip and had caught an array of fish, sharks and this sail fish; the idea came to me to have one of companions enter the water with this fish on his shoulders. I remember that I had my Rolliflex very close to the waves and ended up getting it soaked!”

• Other famous work done by Gian Paolo Barbieri (Not in this exhibition)