Steven Meisel – The King of Photographic Surrealism and Fashion Controversy

Steven Meisel is a name that needs no introduction to anyone who has ever bought a copy of "Vogue Italia" or "Vogue America". This very magazine became one of the largest and most prestigious in the portfolio of the famous fashion photographer. To these adjectives, it is also worth adding "controversial", because Meisel does not shy away from controversy and strong themes. How did the career of one of the best fashion photographers in the world shape up and what is his name famous for?

Steven Meisel - where was the talent of the famous photographer born?

Steven Meisel was born in 1954 and from an early age, he was most fascinated by fashion magazines. He grew up at a time when such models and stars as Twiggy, Verushka, or Catherine Deneuve were breaking popularity records. He could stare at their beautiful faces and silhouettes for hours, and then trace them and create fashion illustrations in his own style. Thanks to his passion, he got into the prestigious Parsons School of Design, where he earned the title of fashion illustrator. Over time, however, it turned out that it was not illustration, but the image of fashion, i.e., photography, that became his greatest love and way of life.

It's hard to define a specific date that proved to be a turning point for the photographer of "Vogue Italia" and "Vogue America". Some say it was 1984 and the famous session of Madonna for the cover of her album Like a Virgin, others put an even earlier date when Meisel met his longtime friend Franca Sozzani. Why was this acquaintance so important to him? Franca in the 80s was a rapidly rising star in Italian fashion journalism. She held the position of editor-in-chief of such popular titles as Seventeen and Per Lui, to which she, of course, employed Meisel as one of the main photographers. In 1988, she became the editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, and with her to this title also went Meisel, who is still the main photographer of this magazine today.

Not only "Vogue America" - a long adventure with the Italian edition of the magazine

To understand the mutual influence that Steven Meisel and Vogue Italia have on each other, one must acquaint themselves with the aesthetics and philosophy of the Italian edition of the most popular fashion magazine. Italian Vogue under the rule of the late Sozzani was considered by many to be the best edition of the magazine. It was famous for addressing uncomfortable topics, such as the ecological disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. This is one of the loudest sessions of the Italian edition of "Vogue", the author of which was, of course, Steven Meisel.

Moreover, it is hard to find stereotypical frames, stereotypical settings, and simple emotions in his photos. Each photo of Meisel, whether it's a portrait of a model or a wide-angle shot showing a broader perspective and story, elicits specific emotions from the viewer. They are not always unambiguous, because Meisel does not take pictures that are easy and simple to read. They can be interpreted in many ways, and that's exactly where the genius of his talent lies.

Not all of Meisel's photographs are beautiful in an obvious way, or easy to watch. Many frames created by Meisel are a combination of sophisticated beauty and message, which are not always visible at first glance. The famous photo of Madonna from the cover of the album Like A Virgin is not spectacular in terms of scenery or effects, but Meisel presented the pop star in such a way that it is hard to take your eyes off her. She is feminine, sensual, girlish and very sensual at the same time. Only the greatest masters of photography can portray people in this way, and Steven Meisel certainly belongs to them.