Initially presented last summer at the Arles photo festival, this exhibition looking at the history of fashion model photography arrives at the Paris Docks thanks to the programme of events organised elsewhere by the Galliera fashion museum while the museum building is being renovated…

As fashion is often shown worn by models, and even specially cut to fit them, their role in the success of a collection is extremely important.

Paradoxically, their near-impossible perfection is presented as the feminine ideal, and as early as the 19th century, artificial aspects started creeping in to the way they were portrayed – the pose, make-up, lighting and setting allowed talented photographers such as Henry Clarke, Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin and Juergen Teller to express themselves. Despite this, over the years, it is the models themselves who have become the main focus, progressing from anonymity to star status.

With nearly 120 photos on display, most of them taken from the Galliera Museum’s own collection, here’s one way to keep you waiting patiently until the museum itself reopens in Autumn 2013.

The exhibition Mannequin – le corps de la mode (Model – the body of fashion) is at the Cité de la Mode et du Design (here) from 16th February – 19th May 2013

Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 6pm

Admission: 6€ / 4.50€ / 3€ / free for under-14s

Facebook page for the Docks: ici

Twitter: twitter.com/Docksmodedesign