Richard Avedon’s early exposure to the fashion world—through his family’s involvement in the industry—sparked his passion for photography. His career began during World War II, when he served in the Marines photographing soldiers for identification portraits. After the war, he studied under the esteemed art director of Harper’s Bazaar, Alexey Brodovitch. Within a year, Avedon was hired as a staff photographer for the magazine, where he began capturing images of daily life in New York City and was soon assigned to photograph Paris Fashion Week. These opportunities quickly established his presence in the fashion world. After twenty years at Harper’s Bazaar, Avedon moved to Vogue, one of the most influential fashion publications, where he remained for nearly twenty-five years. 

Avedon was widely recognized for his talent and vision, but what truly set him apart was his refusal to conform to the photographic standards of his time. While most fashion photographers focused on showcasing clothing with rigid, polished poses, Avedon sought to reveal personality, vulnerability, and emotion. His portraits were often controversial and provocative, not because of shock value alone, but because they offered an unfiltered look into the emotional lives of his subjects. Though known for his striking black-and-white style, it was the human intimacy he captured that made his work iconic.

A powerful example is his portrait of Lauren Hutton. At first glance, the exposed breast in the photograph is visually arresting. Yet the real power lies in Hutton’s posture and expression. Her head is tilted back and slightly to the side, partially concealing her face. This nontraditional pose suggests introspection, mystery, and emotional depth. The relaxed confidence in her body contrasts with the vulnerability of her obscured face, inviting the viewer to engage more deeply with her presence. Rather than simply modeling fashion, Hutton is portrayed as a fully realized individual. This photograph exemplifies Avedon’s ability to elevate the model from a passive canvas into an active subject—an expressive force within the frame. In doing so, he helped transform the perception of fashion photography into an art form that could convey complexity, personality, and humanity.

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by Chelsea Napper

Lauren Hutton began her modeling career in the late 1960s, during a period of cultural change that aligned with her own unconventional appeal. From the beginning, she stood out—not only for her striking features but for her refusal to conform. One of her most distinctive traits, the noticeable gap between her front teeth, was often considered a flaw in an industry obsessed with symmetry and uniformity. Yet instead of hiding it, Hutton embraced it. Her decision to foreground what others might have seen as an imperfection became a bold act of self-definition that set her apart in the modeling world.

Hutton’s career reached a new level in 1973 when she signed a groundbreaking contract with Revlon—one of the most lucrative modeling agreements at the time. This deal not only solidified her status as a top model but also demonstrated that models could attain long-term financial success and stability. Her achievement paved the way for future models to pursue careers that extended beyond the runway, proving that modeling could be a profession with influence, longevity, and negotiating power. But Hutton’s ambitions extended beyond fashion. She successfully transitioned into acting, appearing in a variety of films and television roles. Navigating both industries is a difficult feat, yet Hutton managed to establish herself as a versatile talent. Her work in film further emphasized that models were capable of much more than simply being photographed—they could be storytellers, performers, and entrepreneurs. Hutton’s multifaceted career helped redefine what it meant to be a model in the modern era. Her legacy continues to resonate today. Lauren Hutton’s willingness to defy beauty norms, embrace her individuality, and pursue success on her own terms has inspired generations of models and artists. She remains a powerful reminder that authenticity and self-expression are not just valuable—they are transformative.

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by Chelsea Napper

The 1970s marked a transformative period in the fashion industry, particularly in the way models were perceived. No longer anonymous figures whose sole purpose was to display clothing, models began to emerge as influential personalities with global recognition. This cultural shift gave rise to the era of the supermodel—individuals whose names, faces, and identities were as significant as the fashion they wore. At the forefront of this movement was Lauren Hutton, a model whose unconventional beauty and strong sense of self helped redefine the role of the model in popular culture. 

Hutton first appeared on the cover of Vogue in 1966, a groundbreaking moment that launched her into the spotlight. Just two years later, a photoshoot with Richard Avedon further elevated her visibility and solidified her reputation as a model of distinction. With her signature gap-toothed smile and natural charisma, Hutton challenged traditional beauty standards that had long dominated the fashion industry. Her look was not molded to fit a norm—instead, it stood out. She embodied confidence and authenticity, becoming a visual representation of individuality at a time when models were beginning to break away from the impersonal, mannequin-like roles they had traditionally occupied.

Yet Hutton was not alone in reshaping the modeling landscape. In 1974, Beverly Johnson made history as the first Black model to appear on the cover of Vogue. Her presence marked a major milestone in the push for racial diversity in fashion, confronting long-standing barriers and setting a precedent for future representation. Together, Hutton and Johnson played vital roles in expanding both the aesthetic and cultural definitions of beauty. Their careers demonstrated that success in modeling could—and should—be grounded in uniqueness, visibility, and presence, not conformity. 

The rise of these influential models was closely tied to the work of photographers like Avedon, whose vision emphasized emotion, personality, and movement over stiff poses and polished perfection. Avedon’s minimalist, often black-and-white aesthetic stripped away distractions and focused attention on the subject’s humanity. By prioritizing expression and individuality, he helped usher in a new era of fashion photography that celebrated the model as an artist in her own right. His collaborations with figures like Hutton contributed to a broader cultural shift—one in which fashion imagery became more intimate, daring, and emotionally resonant.

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by Chelsea Napper