Arthur Elgort, Christy Turlington, 1990, New Orleans, courtesy Atlas Gallery

The first UK solo exhibition of renowned fashion photographer Arthur Elgort will showcase 40 years of both fashion and personal work, the well-known alongside the rarely seen. 

The exhibition will debut at Photo London from 18-21 May before moving to Atlas Gallery in Marylebone from 25 May until August 2017.

Originally trained as a painter, Elgort (b.1940) made his photographic debut in British Vogue in 1971 and rapidly established his reputation as an innovative fashion photographer. His relaxed and easy snapshot aesthetic was a clear break from the staid studio photo sessions that had come before. His choice of models–most notably Kate Moss and Christy Turlington–contributed to his lively, personality-led style and sense of narrative. Moving in and out of the frame, his models were often placed in the real world and shot in natural light, in contrast to the harshly lit studio shots fashionable at the time, Elgort showed the potential of what fashion photography could be.

The exhibition will include well-known images such as Kate Moss in Café Lipp, Paris in 1993, Christy Turlington in 1990 and a candid, colour photograph of Stella Tennant diving into a swimming pool in a winter coat after a shoot on a hot New York summer’s day – exemplifying Elgort’s break with conventions. 

Arthur Elgort runs at the Atlas Gallery, 49 Dorset Street, London, W1U 7NF from 25 May 2017.
Open Monday to Friday: 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday: 11:00 to 17:00.