Cecil Beaton, one of the world’s most significant fashion photographers, captured a period in fashion history that depicted sophistication, glamour and grace through the glitterati of his time. Shooting his famous sitters in refined set-ups, his portraits embody his elegant style and graceful poise.
Cecil Beaton by Coco Gerrard-Morgan
Fellow fashion photographer Mario Testino commented on the late photographer’s career, “He marked his period as if he were the only photographer around.” Born in Hampstead on 14th January 1904, Beaton belonged to a middle-class family. Posh – but not quite posh enough – his character, which is as famous as his photography, was that of a fame hungry young man, socialising with the right crowd in order to get ahead.
However it served him well; Beaton landed his first permanent contract with Vogue in 1927. During this time he traveled between the American and British versions of the magazine, capturing the elegance of the thirties. He was able to illustrate the mood of the years between the two world wars, securing his position as one of the most sought after photographers of his time. It wasn’t long before Beaton was photographing the likes of Twiggy, Marilyn Monroe and even HRH The Queen and Princess Margaret for Vogue and Vanity Fair.
Once the war began he was signed up as an official photographer, capturing war-torn Britain. His most renowned image from this period was of three-year-old blitz victim, Eileen Dunne. A powerful portrait depicting the extent of ‘austerity Britain’ to the world.
Beaton went on to practice stage and costume design after the war and worked closely with Audrey Hepburn during the filming of My Fair Lady in 1965. Up until his death in 1980, Beaton was at the epicenter of the creative industries and had a career spanning several creative disciplines, including royal photographer, set and costume designer, and diarist. He also kept an updated sketchbook throughout his life. Due to his work, elegant style and stereotypical fashion demeanour, Beaton will live timelessly on.
To learn more about Cecil Beaton, a new book, Cecil Beaton: The New York Years is available via Amazon and includes unpublished photographs from his time spent in the States.
Illustration courtesy of Coco Gerrard-Morgan
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Tags: Cecil Beaton, Cecil Beaton: The New York Years, coco gerrard morgan, Vanity Fair, vogue
