DOUGLAS KIRKLAND
(1934-2022)

Photographs

PHOTOGRAPHS

COCO CHANEL, 1962

Westwood Gallery NYC presented the 2008 worldwide premiere exhibition of Douglas Kirkland's photographs of Coco Chanel, not seen by the public in over 45 years.

In 1962, at the age of 27, Kirkland received an assignment from Look Magazine to photograph Coco Chanel (1883 – 1971) for a story on the legendary fashion icon. For a period of three weeks, Kirkland shadowed Mademoiselle Chanel capturing her intense schedule and daily routine with models, fitters, clients, and friends. In order to gain her trust and approval, Chanel instructed Kirkland to initially photograph models wearing her collection and submit the prints for her review. Chanel was so taken with the young man and his photographic skill, she allowed him access to her private rooms, surveying her everyday movements. In addition to fashion images, Kirkland and Chanel took a day trip to Versailles resulting in surreal photographs of the 'grande dame' appropriately set in the royal gardens. Coco Chanel revolutionized women's fashion with creations and style, including the 'little black dress', Chanel's signature cardigan jacket, women's casual wear, non-corseted fashions, quilted handbags, short hairstyles, mixing real and costume jewelry, and many other styles and trends, as well as Chanel No. 5, the world's best selling perfume. In many images, Chanel is wearing her trademark hat and pearls, scissors hanging from a ribbon around her neck and smoking constantly while she worked. Chanel did not sketch her designs so her creations took effect while draping fabric directly on the models. Coco Chanel was the epitome of a strong, independent woman, never married, who struggled yet persevered with a passion that consumed her throughout her life. Today, Kirkland remembers with great fondness and admiration the days spent with Coco Chanel. His photographs provide a personal view of this extraordinary individual, the most influential fashion designer of the 20th century.

The negatives of these photographs have been in the well-known photographer's vault until exhibited by WESTWOOD GALLERY NYC in 2008. The exhibition of 40 photographs, a documentation of intimate and public moments of a woman who transformed 20th century fashion, traveled to Hawaii, Hong Kong, Tokyo.

To inquire regarding prices for vintage photographs or limited edition prints, and to purchase any of the photographs shown below, contact the gallery at info@westwoodgallery.com.

Black and white photograph of women modeling fashion, descending a staircase

Black and white photograph of Coco Chanel in white suit and hat sewing a sleeve directly on a model

Black and white photograph of Coco Chanel in white suit and hat with a tall young man in a suit

Black and white photograph of out-of-focus image of woman in front of Coco Chanel hiding behind a screen

Black and white photograph of Coco Chanel in white suit and hat walking in front of the “Chanel” boutique

Black and white photograph of Coco Chanel in white suit smoking, with a mirror behind her in which a model and fitter are visible

Black and white photograph of Coco Chanel in white suit and hat leaning towards someone and smiling

Black and white photograph of people speaking at the bottom of a circular staircase

Black and white photograph of Coco Chanel in white suit and hat against the background of a bookcase and a mirror, smiling

Black and white photograph of Chanel arranging a dress on a model underneath an ornate chandelier

Black and white photograph of Coco Chanel sitting down on steps and watching something below

Black and white photograph of Chanel in an apartment with a bookcase and large mirror visible behind her

Black and white photograph of people watching three models in long white dresses

Black and white photograph of a crowd at a party, including Grace Radzwill

Black and white photograph of two women standing in white dresses, one woman in a vintage cocktail dress, sitting down

Black and white photograph of Coco Chanel in white suit and hat in conversation with a group of women

Black and white photograph of Chanel sewing a sleeve on a model looking scared

Black and white photograph of Chanel walking in the street next to 1960s cars

Black and white photograph of Chanel in white suit and hat sitting on the staircase

Sepia photograph with painted edges of Chanel in a white suit and hat sewing a sleeve on a model

Sepia photograph with painted edges of Coco Chanel in smoking, with a mirror in which a model and fitter are visible

Sepia photograph with painted edges of Chanel in a white suit and hat speaking with another woman in a suit

Sepia photograph with painted edges of Chanel in a white suit and hat walking in the street

Sepia photograph with painted edges of Chanel in a white suit and hat sitting down on steps and watching something below

MARILYN MONROE

Westwood Gallery NYC presented the premiere solo exhibition in 2001 of Douglas Kirkland's photographs of Marilyn Monroe and represents the photographer for sales of fine art prints in all categories.

Photographed by Kirkland on November 17, 1961, Marilyn Monroe died a few months later in 1962. The stunning photographs of Monroe as she posed for Kirkland lying on a bed enveloped only in white silk sheets have since become iconic. The 1961 photo shoot became an historic event, due to the intimate exchange between Kirkland and Monroe. At the time, Kirkland was a young 27 year old photojournalist for Look Magazine, who spent the evening alone with Monroe, a 35 year old sex symbol and film star.

Besides the iconic images of Marilyn, this series of work includes behind the scenes black and white photographs of Kirkland, taken during his photo shoot with Monroe in a California studio. The photo session required three encounters with Monroe, which according to Kirkland was like meeting three different women. Prior to the shoot she was a sweet, naïve actress, during the photo session he encountered a seductress and the following day Monroe was a distressed, despondent woman.

Color photograph of Marilyn Monroe in a bed with white sheets

Color close-up photograph of Marilyn Monroe in a bed with white sheets

Color photograph of Marilyn Monroe in a bed with white sheets, embracing a pillow

Color photograph of Marilyn Monroe, stretching in a bed with white sheets

Black and white photograph of a woman in a bed with white sheets speaking to a man laying down on the floor

Black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe speaking to a man sitting on the floor

Black and white photograph of a man photographing Marilyn Monroe covered in white sheets

ICONS AND LEGENDS

Some of Kirkland's notable subjects include Man Ray, Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin, Judy Garland, Orson Welles, John Wayne, Coco Chanel, Pierre Cardin, Jacques Henri Lartigue, Dr. Stephen Hawking, Mick Jagger, Sting, Morgan Freeman, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Catherine Deneuve, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross.

DOUGLAS KIRKLAND (1934-2022)

PHOTOGRAPHS ​​

DOUGLAS KIRKLAND
(1934-2022)

PHOTOGRAPHS