For fashionistas in the know, Horst P Horst will not be an alien name to them. A German photographer with a classic background, he set the rules of fashion photography across his sixty years in the business and is a huge influence on fashion photography today.

With a retrospective to celebrate his decadent career, “HORST: Photographer of Style”, is a must see for fashion lovers- and is on now until 4^th January in London’s  V & A.

Showcasing a vast catalogue of over 250 images from his six decades of style, his love for beautiful women and encapsulating them in print is evident. With his models dripping in pre-war haute couture, and post war ready to wear, it is not only an insight into one of the photography greats, but a lesson in fashion history, as all pieces used are credited and dated from the designer’s collections. Opulent and cinematic, high-society models and celebrities are captured in timeless, classic settings and are a true inspiration for fashion shoots of today.

Totally passionate about the shoot process, this ‘magician of light’ racked up 94 Vogue covers (including French, British and American) which are on loan from the Conde Nast archive, alongside iconic images of some of the most talked about Hollywood stars- including Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Vivien Leigh, Ginger Rogers and Bette Davis, to name a few. He also launched the careers of Lisa Fonssagrives (who went on to marry Irvine Penn) and was the first to shoot designer Elsa Schiaparelli.

Taking inspiration from his post war travels, his later work consists of portraits, nudes, nature and still life, which can be viewed alongside a collection of lavish interiors shots- which became his passion until his death in 1999.

With so much to see, it might make your normal life seem boring, but don’t let that put you off!

HORST: Photographer of Style is at the V & A.

By Sara Darling