Having shot countless fashion editorials and classic ad campaigns, Hans Feurer has estabished himself as a prolific and talented fashion photographer over the last 30 years. Born in Switzerland in 1939, Feurer began as a graphic designer and art director, through which he learned skills that later translated into his career as a fashion photographer. He shot editorials including French Vogue, GQ, and Numéro, as well as campaigns for designers such as Kenzo (for which he photographed Iman in 1983). Recognized for his use of environment, natural light, and emphasis on the female figure—from posture to hair to nails—Feurer's photos are easy to spot: the subjects maintain the perfect balance between playful and high fashion, the colors and fabrics are often emphasized, and nature is readily evident. Now the fashion photographer who paved ways for figure photographers of today—Patrick Demarchelier was Feurer's assistant in 1964—is the subject of a new book published by Damiani this month. The book presents the photographer's perspective on both fashion and women from the beginning of his career in the 1960s through present day and includes his iconic photos from his 1974 Pirelli Calendar shoot, nature shots for Jill magazine, and a fun-loving Commes des Garçons photo for the house's 1983 collection. In conjunction with the release of the book, Feurer's images will also be on exhibit at Colette in Paris from September 2 through October 5. A look at a selection of the 175 fashion photographs from the retrospective.
—Erin Cunningham
