Clifford Coffin - The Fashion Photographer

     I relatively recently discovered the photographer, Clifford Coffin, by accident really. I've been so interested in the fashion images of the last century. I was on one of my many 'image searches' one day, for some old Vogue photographs that particular time, when I kept noticing the name 'Clifford Coffin' cropping up so often attached to quite a few of my favourite 'Vogue' images that I decided to start another 'image search', exclusively devoted to Clifford Coffin.

     My efforts were swiftly rewarded! Since then, I've become quite familiar with his images, such wonderful captures of a second in time - encapsualised forever, when I realised that I didn't know anything about the man behind the camera. As is so often the case, the images are so recognizable, but I think that I've only seen one self-portrait of the man in question. Here is a little information that I managed to glean:

"Clifford Coffin, Photographer 1913-1972

Coffin is known as one of Vogue's "lost" photographers.
For over a decade, he produced some of its most elegant fashion pictures.
His portraits are equally fascinating as a document of art and society across the globe in the early post-war years. As well as covering the couture collections for Vogue on two memorable occasions (1948 and 1954), he took one of the few photographs of Christian Dior at his inaugural 'New Look' collection in 1947. He also nurtured the careers of a generation of models including Barbara Goalen and Suzy Parker, and discovered Elsa Martinelli and Audrey Hepburn, who modelled for him before turning to acting. Many of his sitters were captured at the outset of their careers: Truman Capote and Arthur Miller (1948), Gore Vidal (1949), Lucian Freud and Richard Attenborough (1947), as well as more established figures such as Gloria Swanson and Ernest Hemingway."

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      I feel that he managed to capture the elegance and sophistication of the era; the women always looked poised, posed and self-assured. The clothes are chic, the epitome of glamour, and styled to perfection.
   
     He manages to capture a mood with his talent and some are quite atmospheric. I've also found some humour in a few of his photos too...an image of swimming hats springs to mind! A real essence of fun captured with the snap of the shutter.
   
     Anyway, enough of my ramblings! Here are a few of Clifford Coffin's photographs, I hope that you enjoy them as much as I have!