Henry Clarke (1918-1996) was an renowned American fashion photographer. In 1950, he began to work with Vogue French, UK and US editions. This collaboration lasted more than 25 years. He shot famous models like Suzy Parker, Ann Sainte Marie and Bettina. Beside his fashion photoshoots, he also took portraits of celebrities such as Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Monica Vitti… The Musee de la mode in Paris possesses the archives of Henry Clarke.

Thanks to his talented pictures, we can see the evolution of fashion between the fifties and the sixties. During the fifties, he captured the elegance and glamour of Haute couture. The model poses are very sophisticated and the light manified women. In the sixties, Henry Clarke travelled for Vogue in exotic countries (India, Syria, Iran, Mexico…) to produce fashion photoshoots. These photos are a total escape with exotic landscapes and architecture. A real freedom, joy and liveliness emerge from his photographs during the 60’s.

Suzanne Talbot et Jean Dessès (1904-1970). Chapeau et gants. Descendant des toques de François Ier, le chapeau de Suzanne Talbot est en feutre vert sombre piqué des plumes d’un faisan. Les gants de Jean Dessès sont en velours et drap, bordés de franges soyeuses. Château de Chambord (Loir-et-Cher), automne-hiver 1950. Photographie d’Henry Clarke (1918-1996), publiée dans l’Album du Figaro, 1950, 27, p.69. Galliera, musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. Dimensions : 6 x 6

Illaria Occhini wearing long earrings and a sark cape

Anne Gunning for Vogue March 1954

Nina de Voogt in evening gown by Balenciaga for Vogue October 1951

Hubert de Givenchy (né en 1927). Robe en organdi blanc brodé d’un semis de roses. Bande unie autour du décolleté. Coiffure à voile triangulaire. Organdi de Brivet. Musée du Petit Palais, Paris (8ème arr.), printemps-été 1955. . Mannequin : Dorian Leigh. Photographie d’Henry Clarke (1918-1996), publiée dans Vogue France, avril 1955, page 76. Galliera, musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. Dimensions : 6 x 6

Fiona Campbell Walter in a Schiaparelli dress with venus de milo drapery for Vogue March 1952

ca. 1954 — Model wearing cloque pique Gres dress with inverted triangle bodice, ties on arms, and full skirt — Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS

Suzy Parker wearing a gown by Griffe in 1954

Suzy Parker wears a voluminous bow tied coat by Pertegaz for Vogue March 1954

Jean Patou (1887-1936). Robe du soir en super-organza blanc de Bianchini-Férier avec des broderies d’argent et de cristal. Printemps-été 1954. Mannequin : Ann Nutting (Ann Gunning). Photographie d’Henry Clarke (1918-1996), publiée dans Vogue France 1954, page 104. Galliera, musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. Dimensions : 6 x 6

Madame Grès (1903-1993). Robe du soir. La robe gitane moule le buste et les hanches puis s’évase en double corolle. Mousseline rouge à pois blancs de Lajoinie. Bijoux de Schneider. Gants d’Hermès. Paris, printemps-été 1955. Mannequin : Enid Boulting. Photographie d’Henry Clarke (1918-1996), publiée dans Vogue France, avril 1955, pp. 73-74. Galliera, musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. Dimensions : 6 x 6

Ravishing colour photos by Henry Clarke :

ca. 1958 — Model standing in front of lame backdrop, wearing tulle and gold embroidered trapeze dress form Dior. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS

ca. 1959 — Model wearing hat of feathers, worked to look like silk, in a pale orange, by Adolfo of Emme. Worn with brown wool tweed coat, pinned with Verdura brooch. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS

Sunny pictures by Henry Clarke :

Amusing and joyful photos signed Henry Clarke :

Sunlight and change of scenery in black and white :

Sixties fashion in black and white immortalized by Henry Clarke :

Madame Grès (1903-1993). Robe en jersey de laine blanc. Clips d’oreilles Vendôme. Sur le panneau photographique : un sac plat en porc à fermoir plaqué or et un carré en soie imprimée de motifs équestres or, bruns et gris. Hermès. Les coiffures ont été créées par Alexandre. Printemps-été 1961. Photographie d’Henry Clarke (1918-1996), publiée dans Vogue France, mars 1961, p. 219. Galliera, musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. Dimensions : 6 x 6

Travelling and dreaming thanks to Henry Clarke photos : 

At the ocean side, the model, Veruschka, wearing an asymmetrical cotton jersey dress in geometric shapes of green, lavender, pink and black *** Local Caption *** Veruschka;

ca. 1967, Udaipur, India — Model Simone D’Aillencourt posed inside the Lake Palace in Udaipur, in a swirled flame-print poncho and jewel-cuffed pants by Emilio Pucci. — Image by � Cond� Nast Archive/Corbis

Model posing at beach on large rocks wearing Galitzine maillot in white with brown print and matching skirt in the reverse pattern with deep side slit. *** Local Caption *** Veruschka;

Bagheria, Sicily, Italy — Model among the sculpture of the Villa Palagonia in Bagheria, Sicily, wearing an empire cut blue and mauve dress with ruffle at hem by Chester Weinberg. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS

Model in G�reme, Turkey, wearing bright yellow dress with yellow and white striped side panels by Leslie Fay. *** Local Caption ***

ca. 1952, Goreme, Turkey — Model in Goreme, Turkey, wearing fly-front yellow linen smock by Hannah Troy. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS

ca. 1965 — Model posing outside wearing evening dress by Galanos in harlequin printed silk of blue, red, white, and pink with matching over sheath. — Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS

Model in G�reme, Turkey, wearing sleeveless red button-front linen dress by Kasper for Joan Leslie. *** Local Caption ***

Joyful and colorful Sixties by Henry Clarke :

Marisa Berenson

Veruschka for Vogue November 1966

Benedetta Barzini for Vogue in 1968

Jean Shrimpton

Beautiful magazine covers produced by Henry Clarke :

Iconic movie stars under his objective :

Actress Sophia Lauren in 1972

Actress Monica Vitti

Elizabeth Taylor and her daughter

Sophia Lauren in 1972

Actress Isabelle Adjani

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn

Dovima and Audrey Hepburn in 1957

Audrey Hepburn

Elizabeth Taylor

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor

 Sources : http://pinterest.com/ ; http://tumblr.com/ ; http://pleasurephoto.wordpress.com/ ; http://www.nytimes.com/ and https://www.flickr.com/

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