Who is Ellen Von Unwerth
At some point in her career, the model Elle Von Unwerth embraced the other side of the lens. Ellen was born in 1954 in Frankfurt and today she is an icon and interpreter of female erotic photography. A lot of experience and a lot of shrewdness allow her to become a photographer, director, and a “girl power” ambassador at the end of the ’90s. During her childhood, her artistic streak started to grow when she visited the Circus Roncalli in her hometown. Enraptured by the beauty of this new world, she decided to join. This experience along with a short hippie period in the mountains of Bavaria are two crucial stages in the formation of Ellen’s artistic vision.
Colors, dancing bodies, and bubbly personalities are the elements that most inspire this artist. As a supermodel, she could not stand the rigidity of the pose and the seriousness of female composure. For this reason, as a photographer, she upsets the ordinary and pushes the boundaries of photography a little further.
Thanks to her artistic vision, models are free to be themselves during her sets. They can have fun, and bring out their most hidden sides. Von Unwerth’s sets break the strict rules of fashion. As stated by model Eva Herzigova, working with Ellen “is always fun, because it leaves you free in front of the camera and is never vulgar“. Her early works focus on blowing out traditional patterns, enhancing the movement, energy, and expressiveness of her subjects.
The early years: Guess Campaign 1989
The photographic campaign created for Guess made her famous worldwide. A sensual and provocative Claudia Schiffer posed for her. Ellen captured these elements in this unique shooting, recently recalled for Guess 30th anniversary. This campaign represents the kick-off of her artistic career, confirming the traits of her early years: eroticism, freedom, irreverence, energy. Her art began to be strongly requested by influential personalities from the entertainment and fashion world. Ellen did various services for Vogue, Vanity Fair, The Face, Twill, and Arena. Additionally, she has published various photography books too.
In 1991 she won the first prize at the International Festival of Fashion Photography. Her black and white technique is the spokesperson for female empowerment, releasing the freedom of the woman and her infinite expressiveness too often subordinated to the male world. Ellen is the founder of VON, the magazine dedicated to her works: from the reports of the last NY fashion week to those of international stars events. Her inspiration comes from the connection with people, fashion, art, and travel. She aims to leave a trace of his experience and his artistic vision of the female body.
Links
Koch R., Foto Box, Contrasto, Verona 2016
Claudia Schiffer in Guess Campaign, 1989. Ellen Von Unwerth, The Self Portrait. Artribune interviews Ellen Von Unwerth. “S MAGAZINE N° 8 – ELLEN VON UNWERTH” by Leica. Ellen Von Unwerth “Libertà sotto tutti i punti di vista” by BMW. “La fotografia di moda: Ellen Von Unwerth” by Istituto Modartech. “Who is… Ellen Von Unwerth” by Haute so Fabulous.
