Most of the people probably have heard about Lee Miller as a beautiful woman, muse and lover of Man Ray, a photographer and surrealist artist herself. But Miss Miller was more than that. By taking pictures she documented several critical phases of the World War II, and she made memorable fashion editorials, too. Her career started when she was very young, discovered by Condé Montrose Nast himself, who wanted her to be a model for Condé Nast. She lived in Jazz Age New York, in a creative and stimulating environment, which certainly contributed to her turning into a fashion photographer. By living between New York, London and Paris, Lee Miller was a free spirit, and she used to go around with Pablo Picasso, Paul Éluard and Jean Cocteau, just to name a few.
Even though she was recognized as “one of the most distinguished living photographers”, a great many of her images have still remained unpublished. Lee Miller in Fashion, written by Becky E. Conekin – a fashion historian, theorist and writer -, is a special view on her life’s story, seen through her fashion images. She used to portrait women’s indomitable spirit even during frightening times, being a precious resource for both fashion and global history. The main goal of the tome is to give people the chance of seeing not only the artistic and photojournalistic side of her career, but also her unique taste, by pictures and memos, illustrations and self-portraits. See for example the photo taken at Picasso’ studio, her posing topless at a surrealist picnic. All the images are held at Miller’s final home, Farley Farm in East Sussex, England.
