They said/We said: Remembering the life and work of Lillian Bassman

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of legendary fashion photographer Lillian Bassman who succumbed to natural causes yesterday at the age of 94.

Bassman got her start as a photographer for Harper’s Bazaar, working there from the late ‘40s until the mid-‘60s. Her goal was always “to present women in the way I felt about them… feminine, serene, and elegant.”

On film, this translated into an uncanny ability to play with light and dark, while magnificently capturing the beauty and movement of the model. Her work had a touch of mystery, and we could only dream of being one of the long-necked, stylish muses in her photos.

Bassman took a lengthy hiatus in the ‘70s after trashing 40 years of prints and negatives—but came back full force in the late ‘90s. Her renewed career showed talent that was just as brilliant as ever, with the publishing of old fashion images that she found in her home. She worked right until the end of her life.

As an artist, Bassman was a true chameleon in that she was able to embrace the new digital technology and reinvent her skills. We’re sure Bassman’s work and commitment to her craft will be honored for its great impact in fashion photography and live on indefinitely.

THEY SAID:

WWD: “… talent for capturing intimate moments and then heightening them in the darkroom, made Bassman a prized figure during a long career at Harper’s Bazaar.” [WWD]

Harper’s Bazzar: “The world has lost not only a great artist but also one of my personal heroes. […] We will be forever grateful for her brilliant contributions to the history of Harper’s Bazaar.” [Harper’s Bazaar]

WE SAID:

Bernadette Morra, editor-in-chief: “Lillian’s life story is truly a glimpse into another world. In 2000, when I was still fashion editor at the Toronto Star, David Graham went to interview her in her Upper East Side coach house. It was a fascinating interview, with Lillian recounting battles with Bazaar editor Carmel Snow and describing how she and the model would do hair and makeup for her Bazaar shoots because that’s the way things were back then. She also admitted to tossing out all her old negatives because she didn’t think anyone would ever be interested in her early work. ‘Who cares about yesterday’s fashion photography?’ Lillian told Graham. More people should care.”

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