Edward Steichen <br/>
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23<br/>
<em>On George Baher's yacht</em> 1928<br/>
gelatin silver photograph<br/>
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive <br/>
© 1928 Condé Nast Publications<br/>

Edward Steichen & Art Deco Fashion

NGV International

Ground Level

18 Oct 13 – 2 Mar 14

Edward Steichen & Art Deco Fashion comprises over 200 photographs and more than 30 garments. This stunning exhibition captures the sophistication of the modern woman and the elegance of high-end fashion from this golden age of fashion and photography.

From 1923 until 1938, Steichen was chief photographer for fashion’s most influential and glamorous magazines, Vanity Fair and Vogue. During this time Steichen created images that were imaginative documents of glamour, talent, and style. His work revolutionised fashion photography, and influenced generations of subsequent photographers.

The exhibition will also showcase Art Deco fashion including garments and accessories from the 1920s and 1930s which express characteristic Art Deco motifs and introduce the modern forms of twentieth and twenty first century dressing. The development and changes in the slip dress and coat through the 1920s and 1930s will be shown with examples by leading designers of the day including Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet, Madame Paquin and Callot Soeurs.

Edward Steichen & Art Deco Fashion is a touring exhibition from the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography, Minneapolis, augmented by works from the National Gallery of Victoria and public and private collections in Australia.

The exhibition is organized by the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography (FEP), in collaboration with the National Gallery of Victoria.

Exhibition labels

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Select Works

Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
On George Baher's yacht 1928
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1928 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Dancers Leonore Hughes and Maurice Mouvet 1924
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1924 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Actress Pola Negri 1925
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1925 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Tamaris with a large Art Deco scarf 1925
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1925 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Model wearing a black tulle headdress by Suzanne Talbot and a brocade coat with black fox collar 1925
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1925 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Model Dorothy Smart wearing a black velvet hat by Madame Agnès 1926
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1926 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Greta Garbo 1929
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1929 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Marion Morehouse and unidentified model wearing dresses by Vionnet 1930
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1930 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Olympic diver Katherine Rawls 1931
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1931 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Actress Joan Crawford in a dress by Schiaparelli 1932
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1932 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Marlene Dietrich 1934
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1934 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Charlie Chaplin 1934
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1934 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
White (center Gwili André) 1935
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1935 Condé Nast Publications
Edward Steichen
American 1879–1973, worked in France 1906–23
Actress Mary Heberden 1935
gelatin silver photograph
Courtesy Condé Nast Archive
© 1935 Condé Nast Publications
LABORDE & COMPANY, Paris (fashion house)
Coat (c. 1927)
wool, silk, resin, glass and diamanté (buttons)
118.0 cm (centre back) 61.0 cm (sleeve length)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Miss E. M. Anderson, 1963
471-D5
(ENGLAND)
Dress (c. 1935)
silk, resin and enamel on metal buckle
(a) 149.0 cm (centre back) 40.0 cm (waist, flat) (dress) (b) 4.0 x 71.0 cm (belt)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Schofield Collection. Purchased with the assistance of a special grant from the Government of Victoria, 1974
D258.a-b-1974
(FRANCE)
Dress (c. 1927)
silk, gelatin sequins, glass and plastic beads
102.0 cm (centre back) 45.0 cm (waist, flat)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Schofield Collection. Purchased with the assistance of a special grant from the Government of Victoria, 1974
D253-1974
JAUNTÉE PLAYTIME HATS, California (milliner)
Cloche (c. 1928)
rabbit fur felt, synthetic (lining), cotton
72.0 cm (outer circumference) 21.0 cm (height) 22.8 cm (width)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Miss Anne Ross, 1983
CT29-1983
DELMAN, New York (shoemaker)
Shoes (c. 1937)
silk, leather, metal (buckle)
(a-b) 14.5 x 8.2 x 24.0 cm (each)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Irene Mitchell, 1975
D40.a-b-1975