Born 1920 in Berlin, German-Australian photographer Helmut Newton set up a studio in fashionable Flinders Lane in Melbourne in 1946 and worked on fashion, theatre and industrial photography in the affluent postwar years.
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| Fashion photography by Helmut Newton in the 1960s |
Newton’s growing reputation as a fashion photographer was rewarded when he secured a commission to illustrate fashions in a special Australian supplement for Vogue magazine, published in January 1956. He won a 12-month contract with British Vogue and left for London in February 1957. Newton left the magazine before the end of his contract and went to Paris, where he worked for French and German magazines. He returned to Melbourne in March 1959 to a contract for Australian Vogue.
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| Model in red evening gown, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, 1960 |
Since the 1970s, Newton regularly used Polaroid cameras and film for instant visualization of compositions and lighting situations, especially for his fashion photography. In 1992, Newton published Pola Woman, a book consisting only of his Polaroids. Over 300 works based on the original Polaroids were shown at 2011 exhibition “Helmut Newton Polaroids” at the Museum für Fotografie in Berlin.
Newton died in 2004 in Los Angeles, California, aged 83. These stunning photos are part of his work that Helmut Newton took fashion portraits of classic beauties in the 1960s.
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| Models in colorful dresses on Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, photo by Helmut Newton, French Vogue, May 1962 |
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| Models in print bathingsuits by Heinzelmann (l), Bleyle-Vetrix (c), and Triumph worn by Nena, photo by Helmut Newton, Constanze Mode, Spring/Summer 1962 |
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| Models in two-piece black and white knit jerseys, photo by Helmut Newton, French Vogue, May 1962 |
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| Carmen Dell' Orefice in UMPA natural dark ranch-mink coat wrapped to the throat by Christian Dior-New York, brimmed brown velvet hat with warm brown mists of veling by Emme, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, October 15, 1963 |
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| Mirella Petteni in putty-colored whipcord topcoat with raglan sleeves and a straight black skirt by Seymour Fox, hat by Emme, lizard shoes by I. Miller, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, September 15, 1963 |
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| Mirella Petteni's Japanese-inspired coiffure is created by Kenneth, a gilt tree quivering with pearls tiara by Miriam Haskell, funnel-collared dress by Madame Ricci, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, September 15, 1963 |
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| Model in elegant afternoon dress of marine blue wool with a white organza collar, Yves Saint Laurent Spring/Summer Collection 1963, photo by Helmut Newton |
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| Models (Deborah Dixon, seated) in tunic tops richly embroidered with sequins and beads over narrow silk shantung pants by Emilio Pucci, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, May 1, 1963 |
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| Camilla Sparv in beautiful gown of white satin and embroidered yellow velvet by Sophie of Saks Fifth Avenue, glittery collar necklace by Apex, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, October 1, 1964 |
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| Camilla Sparv in blue French bathing suit of Helanca stretch nylon and terry cloth by Emo, make-up by Dorothy Gray, photo by Helmut Newton, Wanda Beach, Australia, Vogue, June 1, 1964 |
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| Camilla Sparv in double-breasted coat and short shorts of ivory kidskin and hooded sweater of ivory wool jersey, all by Bonnie Cashin for Phillip Sills, photo by Helmut Newton at Ayers Rock, Australia, Vogue, May 1, 1964 |
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| Camilla Sparv in silk jersey top by Avagolf, white duck pants by Sarff-Zumpano, cap by John Frederics, bracelet by Monet, photo by Helmut Newton in Australia, Vogue, May 1, 1964 |
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| Camilla Sparv in sleek brown Empire-waist maillot in double-knit Helnaca stretch nylon by Cabana, photo by Helmut Newton on Wanda Beach, Australia with Ethel the kangaroo, Vogue, May 1, 1964 |
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| Camilla Sparv in sumptuous blue and white brocade dress with small sleeveless Empire top of ermine and ermine band encircling the hem, by Leslie Morris, coiffure by Ruel of Coiffures Americana, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, 1964 |
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| Camilla Sparv is wearing a necklace of quivering gilt leaves and tassels by Monet, coiffure by Jacques of Joyce Christopher, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, October 1, 1964 |
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| Dolores Wettach in short silk shirtdress zig-zagged in red, orange, green, and white on one side by Junior Sophisticates, photo by Helmut Newton in Hawaii, Vogue, June 1, 1964 |
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| Dolores Wettach is wearing golden fake-pearl necklaces by Cadoro, make-up by Germaine Monteil, photo by Helmut Newton, Wanda Beach, Australia, Vogue, June 1, 1964 |
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| Astrid Heeren, photo by Helmut Newton, 1965 |
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| Astrid Schiller in cerise brocade dress, patterned in shimmery flower-sprays on black silk by Sophie of Saks Fifth Avenue, earrings by Cis, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, October 1, 1965 |
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| Bettina Lauer in earth-brown Swakara broadtail lamb coat by Ben Kahn, green velvet fez with tassel by Adolfo, shoes by D'Antonio, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, October 1, 1965 |
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| Bettina Lauer in long beaded gown on white marquisette, high waist and gold beaded hem by Sophie of Saks Fifth Avenue, looped in the hair, a Joseph Warner necklace, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, October 1, 1965 |
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| Bettina Lauer in natural-brown Russian broadtail lamb suit by Donald Brooks for Coopchik-Forrest, taupe satin sculptured beret by Mr. John, Laguna jewelry, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, October 1, 1965 |
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| Bettina Lauer in shimmering shift of pale beads on white chiffon with bands of flowery scatterings of pink with transparent sleeves by Leslie Morris, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, October 1, 1965 |
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| Camilla Sparv in a pale blue wool suit with mandarin collar and braid buttons by Seymour Fox, photo by Helmut Newton for Vogue, 1965 |
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| Models are wearing gandurahs in sensational cotton prints from Kenya adapted by MicMac, earrings by Paco Rabanne, coiffures by Carita, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, July 1, 1966 |
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| Marika Green in printed white bias-cut brassière and scalloped half-slip by Hollywood Vassarette, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, March 1, 1967 |
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| Model in Empire nightdress in pink, yellow, white and rose floral print by Emilio Pucci for Formfit Rogers Designer Collection, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, April 15, 1967 |
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| Model in rayon-crêpe nightdress printed with fireburst stripes and a streamered bow down a bare back by Van Raalte, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, April 15, 1967 |
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| Princess Ira von Fürstenberg in Golden Empress chinchilla jacket by Christian Dior Furs, coiffure by Carita, earrings and rings by Napier, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, November 1, 1968 |
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| Suzy Kendall in fake-snake weskit and dirndle studded with nailheads over an emerald plaid shirt, weskit and skirt by Edie Gladstone, shirt by Sarff-Zumpano, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, September 15, 1968 |
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| Suzy Kendall in weskit and skirt of black vinyl cobra with red-beaded embroisery over a billowy-sleeved shirt of metallic matelassé by Edie Gladstone and shirt by Sarff-Zumpano, photo by Helmut Newton, Vogue, September 15, 1968 |
