First published 2016
Michael Gross takes readers inside the glamorous and cutthroat world of fashion photography from the late 1940s to today. The New York Times bestselling author examines the careers and personal lives of more than a dozen legendary photographers including Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, Bruce Weber, and Steven Meisel. These artists shaped how the world saw beauty and style, creating iconic images for Vogue and other magazines that sold not just clothing but entire visions of perfect living. Gross reveals the creative genius behind their work while documenting their excesses, rivalries, and personal struggles. He chronicles the fierce competition between photographers, editors, and publishing powerhouses like Condé Nast and Hearst. Drawing from three decades of fashion industry reporting, candid interviews, and insider stories, Gross shows how these visionaries transformed commercial photography into art. The book traces both the artistic triumphs and personal costs of working in an industry where beauty and commerce collide.
Genres: biography, art, 20th-century, non-fiction, 21st-century, fashion
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: creative-genius, personal-struggles
Setting: Conde Nast, Hearst, New York
Period: 1940s, Late 20th Century
416 pages · Hardcover · Atria Books