Gian Paolo Barbieri was born in Milan in 1938. In 1965, he began his collaboration with Vogue Italia and with many fashion designers. By 1978, Stern was ranking him as one of the 14 best fashion photographers in the world and in 1982, he published his first book Artificial.
Fashion photography in 1960s by Gian Paolo Barbieri
During his travels for Vogue, Barbieri came into contact with other cultures that fascinated him: in Tahiti he discovered the topics of his imagination, transmitted to him by Gauguin’s paintings and also the written accounts found in Melville and Cook. Besides this mythical “lost” world, he also discovered people both open and innocent who shared with him the mysterious ritual of tattooing.
After visiting archaic Madagascar and Tahiti, Barbieri finally discovered the Garden of Eden in the Seychelles, sensually photographed in the book Equator. The only absolute ruler here is the sun, casting patterns on naked skin through the palm fronds, or perhaps the Trade Winds that stir the almond trees.
Barbieri now lives and works in Milan. These stunning photos are part of his work that Gian Paolo Barbieri took fashion portraits of classic beauties from the 1960s.
Isa Stoppi, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, Vogue Italia, 1964
Mariolina Della Gatta make-up and styled by Nando Chiesa, jewelry by Lydia Toppo, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, Milan, 1964
Mariolina Della Gatta in make-up and styled by Nando Chiesa, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, circa 1965
Benedetta Barzini, make-up and styled by Nando Chiesa, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri for Vogue Italia, December 1966
Mirella Petteni in colorful rose print coat banded in mink by Valentino, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, Linea Italia, Autumn, 1966
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