The Seven Photographs that changed Fashion

John Rankin Waddell  ( born in 1966) in Paisley , grow up in St Albans, Hertfordshire, also known under his working name Rankin, is portrait and fashion photographer.
In January 2009 BBC 4 broadcast his 1 hour documentary The Seven Photographs the Changed Fashion, in which he recreated the iconic images of  by Cecil Beaton, Erwin Blumenfeld, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, David Bailey, Guy Bourdin.

He interviewed of the original images   photographers, models and assistants to recreated  it iconic images.He used contemporary models including Heidi Klum, Erin O'Connor, Jade Parfitt, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, his wife Tuuli Shipster, Molli Gondi, Daphne Guinness  and David Gandy.

First  images taken by Cecil Beaton 1934
Hat Box

As a model Rankin choose a Sophie Ellis-Bextor, he believed that she has a similar look of Elsa Schiaparelli ,As a original shoot was taken, the technology of the time, wasn't the same as is today. From out of 10 he utilized 8 cameras,

which shows the photographer an upside down image. Definitely that was very difficult says Rankin to take a picture, then using a digital camera.

Second iconic image by Erwin Blumenfeld

 Voque cover in 1950, to recreate this picture Rankin was using a Heidi Klum as amodel for her uncanny resemblance to original model.The shoot was quite easy and simple to take it, Rankin use Heidi's personality and cheeky character to gave a image modern look.

Third iconic image by Richard Avendon 1955

Dovima with Elephants

For this particular image he used Erin O'Connor as model. Richard Avendon known as a first celebrity fashion photographer ; he grew in the golden age of fashion photography, we can see the evidence  onto this image.

Rankin's interpretation of this particular look  says; spectacle drama and new modern of thinking.

 Forth iconic image  by David Bailey 1963

John Shrimpton

This beautiful image  Rankin recreated using own wife Tuuli Shipster. I loved this look, her sexy pose, unimpeachable look, give a picture freshness and a sensual experience.

Fifth iconic image by Helmut Newton 1975

Rue Aubriot Voque

For this image I am speechless- I love a charisma of Paris, nostalgic feeling and sensual inspiration of the Paris night.

I think Rankin did beautiful job about this picture, recreated as a realistic image from 1975.

Sixth iconic image by Herb Ritts 1984

Fred with Tyres

Such a different contrast from romantic scenery of Paris to scrap yard in London, but I think Rankin did beautiful job recreated this picture in modern way of looking.

Seventh iconic image by Guy Bourdin 1970

Untitled

Well that image works for me less  as a rest of recreated of images, maybe because of the model Daphne Guinness,each of a models have a charisma, but I am not sure about Daphne. Using of different facilities like red pantyhose, leather belt and black shoes really resemble this original image give it a raunchy looks.

To summarise I think Rankin had a considerable challenge to reproduce these iconic images, to get this right and really shows a respect for the original photographers, and I think he did amazing job.

References:

Jondo Lady (2009) Seven Photographs That Changed Fashion, Available at:http://ondolady.com/seven-photographs-that-changed-fashion/ (Accessed: April 14, 2009 ).