Peter Lindbergh: supermodels pay tribute to a fashion legend

Today the sad news broke of renowned photographer, Peter Lindbergh’s death. A giant in the fashion world, even for someone who doesn’t think they are familiar with his work, you would recognise many of his photographs.

There are very few of the big magazines he hasn’t shot for, with a portfolio stretching across Vogue, The New Yorker, Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair. So many of the iconic images from the 90’s, which was peak era of the supermodel, were shot by him.

Many took to social media today sharing their sadness and wonderful stories of shooting with him over the years.

 

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We will miss you Peter ?

A post shared by Kate Moss Agency (@katemossagency) on Sep 4, 2019 at 6:53am PDT

 

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When @therealpeterlindbergh shoots, it’s about the women. It’s not about the hair, makeup, or styling, really. He had a way of turning your imperfections into something unique and beautiful… and his images will always be timeless. you will be so missed Peter. I’m honored to have known you and worked with you ??

A post shared by Cindy Crawford (@cindycrawford) on Sep 4, 2019 at 6:30am PDT

Most recently, he worked alongside the Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle, on the September issue cover for British Vogue. A powerhouse of different women grace this cover, all photographed by him, one even through Skype.

With the cover garnering much attention for it’s innovative design and how it captured the personality of each of the women, it shows that even at 74 he had a big impact in the fashion world.

He will be greatly missed by all those in the industry, with many paying tribute across social media today including Edward Enniful, Editor of British Vogue:

“Peter Lindbergh was both a visionary photographer and a dear friend. His ability to see real beauty in people, and the world, was ceaseless, and will live on through the images he created. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, worked with him or loved one of his pictures.”

 

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Introducing the September 2019 issue of #BritishVogue, guest-edited by HRH The Duchess of Sussex @SussexRoyal. Entitled #ForcesForChange, the cover features 15 world-leading women who are reshaping public life for global good, and were personally chosen by The Duchess of Sussex, and British Vogue’s editor-in-chief @Edward_Enninful. The 16th slot – which, in print, appears as a mirror – is intended by The Duchess to show how you are part of this collective moment of change too. Click the link in bio to read about how The #DuchessOfSussex became the first guest editor of the September issue in the magazine’s 103-year history. Photographed in New York, Stockholm, London and Auckland by @TheRealPeterLindbergh, with fashion editors @Edward_Enninful and @TheRealGraceCoddington, hair by @BartPumpkin and @SergeNormant, make-up by @TheValGarland and @Diane.Kendal, nails by @LorraineVGriffin and @YukoTsuchihashi. On newsstands Friday 2 August. Starring: @AdwoaAboah @AdutAkech @SomaliBoxer @JacindaArdern @TheSineadBurke @Gemma_Chan @LaverneCox @JaneFonda @SalmaHayek @FrankieGoesToHayward @JameelaJamilOfficial @Chimamanda_Adichie @YaraShahidi @GretaThunberg @CTurlington

A post shared by British Vogue (@britishvogue) on Jul 28, 2019 at 2:28pm PDT

So many of his peers, and models he photographed over his long career, have been sharing their memories of him on social media today. What really stands out is the way they all speak of how they felt whilst on set with him. As Karen Elson so eloquently put it:

“He took images that made women look as beautiful as they really are without smoke and mirrors, there is a vulnerability and also such strength in his photos.”

 

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This is a really hard one to post. I don’t know how to process the tragic news of our beloved Peter Lindbergh passing away. I recently spoke to him and he invited me to go into his studio and look through all my archives which was a very exciting prospect. He was his usual jolly and exuberant self, speaking fast in his adorable German accent. Little did I know this would be our final interaction. Shooting with Peter was a joy. He never made anything difficult, it was always a pleasure to be in front of his lens, be it in the California desert, the streets of NYC, in a broken down Parisian factory or in a far off exotic location. He took images that made women look as beautiful as they really are without smoke and mirrors, there is a vulnerability and also such strength in his photos. We were never made to feel less than on his shoots and I’m so grateful that I was a part of some of them. I’m going to miss him so much. We’ve lost a legend. This is huge loss to all those who had the pleasure to know him. Rest In Peace sweet Peter. My heart goes out to your family and loved ones.

A post shared by Karen Elson (@misskarenelson) on Sep 4, 2019 at 4:39am PDT

Born in Germany in 1944, Lindbergh was always interested in the creative arts but it wasn’t until 1978, when he moved to Paris that he pursued his career in photography. His images are both cinematic and timeless, with portraits being his speciality. With such a prolific and influential career his work will forver be referenced and remembered.

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