Swinging Sixties London: Groundbreaking Photography In The Capital Of Cool

Photographers Terence Donovan and Brian Duffy, well known for their catchy portraits of models, musicians and actors, shape our image of the Swinging Sixties, are as widely known as the stars and socialites they shot, and perhaps just as infamous as well.

Terence Donovan

These were self-made boys from the poor East End of London. Donovan excels with his fashion photography, narrating series and moving portraits of female and male models. Duffy shot iconic photographs of famous models and personalities like Grace Coddington, Jane Birkin, Mick Jagger and Michael Caine.

h/t: telegraph, delectant

Thermodynamic, 1960

Terence Donovan

With their groundbreaking style and technique, they rebelled against the day’s leading photographers, John French and Norman Parkinson, who themselves were important for British fashion photography in their own right, and had proven to be influential pioneers in the preceding decennia. Also Eric Swayne, whose archive was recently rediscovered, is featured in the exhibition. Swayne was in close contact with rock stars and top models, which is how he managed to shoot his intimate portraits. John Cowan made the optimism of his generation visible by literally letting his models kiss the sky. James Barnor’s photographs, featuring British-African models, demonstrate the social changes of the time.

Traffic, 1960

Norman Parkinson Ltd

Twiggy, 1966

Terence Donovan

The Blue Wave, shot for French Elle, May 1966

Duffy © Duffy Archive

Jerry Hall and Antonio Lopez, May 1975

Norman Parkinson

Mick Jagger, 1964

Eric Swayne

Jane Birkin, 1965

Eric Swayne

Grace Coddington, 1966

Eric Swayne

Michael Caine, 1964

Duffy © Duffy Archive

Celia Hammond, 1962

Terence Donovan

Keith Richards, 1964

Eric Swayne

Flying high, 1966 (Jill Kennington)

John Cowan

Jean Shrimpton

Duffy © Duffy Archive

Melanie Hampshire and Jill Kennington, 1963

Norman Parkinson

French Elle – London Police Box

Duffy © Duffy Archive

Pauline Stone with Apple, for Town Magazine, 1962

Duffy © Duffy Archive