Photographer: Steven Klein
Model: Linda Evangelista
Stylist: Edward Enninful
Hair: Julien d'Ys
MakeUp: Peter Philips
Set Designer: Jack Flanagan
Manicurist: Bernadette Thompson
W Magazine # 2012
Title: Super Linda
Via: stalker.magazine
After almost two decades as one of the most influential contemporary photographers – with countless iconic campaigns for Alexander McQueen, Madonna and Tom Ford to mention just a few – it’s particularly interesting to notice that this celebrated shoot for the September 2012 issue of W magazine might belong to some of the best works Klein ever created.
Entitled “Super Linda”, it features the 46-year old super model Linda Evangelista as a semi human plastic version of a matrix woman, photographed in what appears to be a modest hotel setting. Styled by legendary W magazine editor Edward Enninful, Evangelista is dressed in a variety of latex designs by London based Japanese designer Atsuko Kudo who, like Thierry Mugler in the 90s, has yet again brought latex fetish style into haute couture and been favored by the likes of Lady Gaga, Kate Moss and Grace Jones.
A shoot like this summarizes much of Klein’s photographic style with his signature combination of dark retro-futurism and surrealistic porno chic. His collaboration with Enninful, Evangelista, hairstylist Julien d’Yves and makeup artist Peter Philips can also be seen as a little piece of contemporary fashion history in itself, considering the important role they have all played in modern fashion.
In one of the photos Evangelista is wearing a hairstyle reminiscent of the famous red bob cut d’Yves gave her in the 1980s; the one which is rumoured to have been the defining moment of her career as one of the most successful models of all time.
