The French photographer Claude Iverné, whose work is currently on show at the Fondation Henri-Cartier Bresson, was originally a fashion photographer. Here is a selection of his best images of that time.
In 1987, Claude Iverné left the comfort of Pierre Cardin’s fashion house, where he had replaced the company photographer, to become an assistant again and learn more from famous fashion and advertising photographers. The only place: Pin-Up studios where all the planet’s great photographers worked. The apprenticeship was quick, 8×10” Polaroid with Paolo Roversi, Tri-X 6×7 with Lindbergh and Olivar, Pan-F with Isserman, Reversal with Oliviero Toscani, Hans Feurer, Michel Comte and Patrick Demarchellier.
The technically eager young photographers knew that, at Pin-Up, the assistants would be “Taken care of” the well-known photographers would often leave their surplus films and Polaroids for the assistants. The studios also let them use the facilities and infrastructure, including the photo labs, free of charge. The persistence paid off. He was systematically assigned to work with the Anglo-Saxons, David Bailey, Avedon, Lord Snowdon. Many of them left to go travelling. Iverné offered his services outside normal hours. Nights, weekends and holidays paid at overtime rates allowed him to live well by maintaining a distance.
While keeping his own studio for food, auctioneers’ sales catalogues, advertising, portraits, he continued to learn with those whose techniques especially interested him, such as Albert Watson or Roversi.
Catalogues and advertising comprised the main part of his activities. Then portraits as personal work began, after several trips to Egypt and Morocco, the desire to do something else. His portraits were noticed by the press, which opened the door to a different practice. Few of his originals resisted the ravages of time. We are showing here some Polaroids and 4×5 that survived this period.
Claude Iverné, Bilad es Sudan
From 11th May to 30th July 2017
Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson
2 Impasse Lebouis
75014 Paris
France
