CHANEL is hosting a photo exhibition by fashion photographer Lillian Bassman, "Signature of Elegance: The Work of Lillian Bassman," at the CHANEL Nexus Hall in Ginza, Tokyo, through April 10th.
This exhibition showcases a selection of Lillian's masterpieces, carefully selected from her vast collection of photographs taken over her lifetime, on display for the first time in Japan. "I believe each and every photograph is a magnificent piece of art. It is a great honor to be able to introduce her work for the first time in Japan," said Richard Collasse, President and CEO of CHANEL Japan.
The exhibition space is lined with "U"-shaped partitions on which photographs are displayed, creating a labyrinth-like atmosphere for Lillian's photography. The exhibition builds anticipation as to what the next section will bring. The works on display are not original prints from the time of the exhibition, but newly updated prints. "Even in her old age, my mother continued to master Photoshop and pursue her artistic expression," said Lillian's daughter, Lizzie Himmel, who visited Japan for the exhibition.
After the exhibition, the works will be included as part of the official program of the KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival (April 19th to May 11th), where they will be exhibited at Ryukoku University in Kyoto.
Lillian was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1917. In 1941, she served as assistant to the director of Harper's Bazaar, and by 1945, she was art director of Junior Bazaar. She received her first photography commission from Bazaar in 1948, and in 1951, she opened the Bassman-Himmel Studio with her husband, Paul Himmel, where she worked as a fashion photographer for nearly 20 years. In 1971, Bassman closed the studio and left the fashion world to pursue more personal work. She returned to the forefront as a fashion photographer in 1996 and won the Lucie Award, an international photography award, in 2004. She passed away in 2012.
[Event Information]
"Signature of Elegance: The Work of Lillian Bassman"
Venue: Chanel Nexus Hall
Address: Chanel Ginza Building, 4th floor, 3-5-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Dates: Until April 10th
Time: 12:00 - 20:00
Free admission
