Where does fashion photography come from? If this is a question you've always wondered about, it's time to meet Cecil Beaton, the preeminent photographer of the twentieth century, one of the most important masters of fashion photography, costume designer, writer and trendsetter. He is renowned for his work with celebrities and royalty, as well as his innovative approach to the art of photography.
Cecil Beaton was born on January 14, 1904, in London. His father was a timber merchant and the family never needed money. In his photobiography, Beaton describes his fascination with photography from an accident at the age of three. That's when he saw some postcards depicting Lily Elsie, a British singer and actress. He was so impressed by the images of the celebrity that later he spent all his pocket money on postcards depicting different actresses. Beaton's father supported his son's passion and regularly brought him magazines and theater programs.
At the age of 11, his parents gave the boy his first Box-Brownie camera. His first pictures were portraits of his sisters and parents. However, even then he was already portraying them like his favorite actresses from postcards.
In 1922 Beaton began his studies in history, fine art and architecture at St. John's College, Cambridge, but he spent most of his time working in the theater. Three years later he gave up his studies and moved into full-time theater work. Surprisingly, his first solo exhibition of photographs, held at Cooling Galleries in London, was extremely successful and led to a lucrative contract - Beaton was invited to be a staff photographer for the publishing house Conde Nast.
The success brought Beaton fame on both sides of the ocean. He photographed Hollywood actresses, singers, celebrities and representatives of the British royal family. Beaton's skills came in handy even during World War II. Between 1940 and 1944, he worked as a war photographer and took pictures of destroyed buildings, soldiers and pilots.
After the war, Cecil Beaton refined his skills as a portrait photographer. Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Twiggy, Grace Kelly and Joan Crawford appeared before his lens. In 1953, he authored the official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
Although Beaton is known as a photographer, he also worked as an illustrator and stage costume designer. His designs for productions such as My Fair Lady (1956) and Gigi (1958) defined the glamorous look of the era, and won three Oscar statuettes for costume and art direction.
His numerous covers for Vogue are also worth mentioning. Beaton managed to convey the sophistication and femininity of the female nature. It was as if he saw through the girls and as no one else could reveal their inner beauty.
During his career Cecil Beaton also received four Tony statuettes, was elected a member of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain and knighted. He passed away in 1980, but he forever remained one of the best portrait photographers in England and a trendsetter in fashion photography.
