Behind the Scenes ~ Harper's BAZAAR Spain Photoshoot by Nico

The cover of Harper's Bazaar honors in February 2012 the work of American photographer Melvin Sokolsky and the photographs ​​of the actress Lena Horne circa 1963.  Featuring model Kasia Struss with styling by Juan Cebrian to show geometric patterns artistic and full of light and life with brands like Chanel, Blumarine, Paul & Joe, Dolce & Gabanna, Sportmax, Dior, Gucci, Etro, Jimmy Choo, Vionnet, Dries Van Noten, Custo Barcelona, ​​Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, American Apparel, Céline, Jean Paul Gaultier and Hermès. Photographs by Nico

Photographer Profile ~ Melvin Sokolsky

Melvin Sokolsky was born and raised in New York City where he started his distinguished career as a stills photographer. At the age of twenty-one he was invited to join the staff of Harper's Bazaar. Within the next few years he worked as a major contributor to four prestigious magazines: Esquire, McCall's Newsweek, and Show. His photographs of internationally famous personalities have appeared in many of the major museums and magazines worldwide.

He is best known for his editorial fashion photographs for publications such as Harper's Bazaar for which he produced, in 1963, the "Bubble" series of photographs depicting fashion models "floating" in giant clear plastic bubbles suspended in midair above the River Seine and other locals around Paris. “I’d have to credit Hieronymus Bosch for those images,” he notes, “if you look at his painting The Garden of Earthly Delights you will come across a nude couple in a bubble. That image stayed with me from childhood.”

Melvin Sokolsky was also influenced by Salvador Dali. Dali visited Sokolsky in his studio at one time. The surrealist influences are evident in his fashion shoot featuring models interacting with an over sized table and chair.

Sokolsky broadened his work beyond still photography to include shooting commercials and films and has won 25 Clios. Today he continues to shoot for magazines on assignment, most recently for Vibe, Bazaar and Vogue. He is a true visionary.

Melvin Sokolsky's self portrait with model

Sokolsky directing model

                                     This is one of Melvin Sokolsky's most copied images.

Lena Horne New York 1963 ~ Melvin Sokolsky

 Twiggy

 

A fascinating and educational video with Sokolsky speaking about his photographs and how he made them.