“Fashion is an expression of the times. Elegance is something else again.” – Horst P. Horst

Pauline de Rothschild, 1969

The Charlotte art scene is abuzz with several incredible exhibitions at the museums and galleries this fall.  One of the most highly anticipated shows brings together three of my favorite themes…fashion, interiors, and photography. SOCO Gallery will be hosting “Around That Time: Horst at Home in Vogue.” Produced by Ivan Shaw and edited by Hamish Bowles, the publication is the world premiere of available photographs from Vogue’s archives of images by legendary photographer Horst P. Horst. A selection of limited edition prints from the monograph will be made for SOCO Gallery.  The rare color photographs show a glimpse into the aristocratic world caught on film by Horst in which he turned lifestyle journalism into a modern art form.

Horst P. Horst (German/American, 1906-1999) originally wanted to be an architect. He arrived in Paris in 1930 to study architecture with Le Corbusier. A serendipitous meeting with Vogue photographer George Hoyningen-Huene changed his focus from architecture to photography. His passion for design is evident in his work from his use of composition, play of light and dark, and incorporating interiors into his work.

Jacqueline de Ribes, 1984

“The 100-plus Vogue features the photographer shot between 1963 and 1988 were style documentaries, each starring an international personality in his or her natural habitat and with precious little interference. “Horst didn’t move a single chair or bring in extra flowers,” says Gloria Vanderbilt, whose New York City bedroom, all patchwork quilts paneling the walls and fabric scraps glued to the parquet, was immortalized in 1970. “He showed how we really lived.” –Architectural Digest, September, 2016

Gianni Donna Marella Agnelli, 1967

SOCO describes the new monograph, “as a tribute to the landmark, Vogue’s Book of Houses, Gardens, People (1968), which chronicled important moments in Vogue’s history and in the international high society at large.  From his renown as a leading fashion photographer of his time and the support of iconic Vogue Editor Diana Vreeland, Horst P. Horst developed and intense interest in seeing the world’s great homes, whose owners included Yves St. Laurent, Doris Duke, Emilio Pucci, Cy Twombly, and Marella Agnelli, among other royalty, celebrities and diplomats. The photographs captured by Horst P. Horst suspend the essence of society, politics, and art in the mid-20th century and represent a true “who’s who” of the day.”

Christina Pucci, 1964

Elsa Peretti, 1976

Babe Paley, 1964

Each work comes in both 16″ x 16″ size, as well as 36″ x 36″. For more information about the exhibition, or to pre-order a book, click here. The opening reception and book signing is Wednesday, October 12th from 6:00-8:00PM at SOCO Gallery located at 421 Providence Road.

Finally, to learn the story behind SOCO Gallery, watch below…

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