When Supermodels Ruled the World

Claudia Schiffer curates an exhibition and authors a book on iconic 1990s fashion photography

- By Jared Paul Stern

When Felix Kramer, the noted art historian who serves as General Director of the Museum Kunst-palast in Duesseldorf first came up with the idea of mounting an exhibition dedicated to fashion photography of the 1990s, it was a stroke of genius to invite Claudia Schiffer, the famed German supermodel—who was discovered in Dusseldorf in 1987—to curate it. The result, Captivate! Fashion Photography from the ’90s, which runs through the beginning of January, has indeed captivated its audience in droves. And now those who don’t have the opportunity to see the show in person can enjoy it in the form of a new book which accompanies the exhibition, edited by Schiffer and published later this month by Prestel.

Both the exhibition and the beautiful book, which bears the same title, feature work from legendary photographers including Richard Avedon, Herb Ritts, Karl Lagerfeld, Peter Lindbergh, Corrine Day, Mario Sorrenti, and Ellen von Unwerth, along with images of equally iconic supermodels including Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford. In the book’s foreword, Kramer notes that “this is the first time that many of these internationally celebrated stars of fashion photography have been represented together in a show,” and points out that the ’90s have “recently been experiencing a noticeable cultural revival, influencing contemporary art, design and pop culture.”