Always in Style: Fashion Pictures at LUMAS

Fashion photography graces the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and now—your walls! The fashion world has produced some of the most iconic photographs in history, and continues to push boundaries today. Explore this movement throughout the decades, and discover the images of fashion at LUMAS.

Fashion Art History

Fashion photography dates back to the court of Napoleon III in 1856 when the photographer Adolphe Braun created a photo-book for Virginia Oldoni. This was followed by the first fashion publications Harper’s Bazaar (1868) and Vogue (1892); however, major publications continued using hand illustrations over photography. It wasn’t until 1913 when Vogue employed Condé Nast to shoot portraits of aristocrats, actresses, and models wearing their usual clothing that the first formal fashion shoot entered the mainstream. As magazines then rose in prominence, designers and advertisers began to see the potential of fashion pictures as a means of communicating the quality and craftsmanship of the garments.

By the mid-20th century designers had become focused on communicating a mood, rather than on the details of the outfits. Fashion images by photographers such as Erwin Blumenfeld are cinematic in their composition and often use exotic surroundings or locations to enhance the clothes. The 60s embraced slender, younger models, and drew their inspiration from the youth culture in London, creating icons such as Twiggy in the process. Following this, with the adoption of jeans as casualwear in the United States, the 70s further explored society’s changing attitude towards gender and sexuality, something which has continued into the glamour photos of today. At LUMAS you can explore fashion art throughout the decades in our open editions gallery. We have prominent works by the most established fashion photographers, reprinted in their original quality.

Fashion photography is as relevant as ever. Today photographers work closely with designers as well as digital editors to create scenes that are rich in imagery. Constantly pushing the boundaries between reality, art, and advertisement, the photographers at LUMAS are committed to exploring this unique visual perspective.

Thanks to our partnership with these talented people, we have exclusive access to the original negatives—meaning every fashion art edition produced by LUMAS is also an original. Our limited runs also come hand-signed with a certificate of authentication. So, when you buy fashion art with LUMAS, you’re buying an authentic, professional quality piece.

Couture Quality: Fashion Images at LUMAS

At LUMAS, we’re committed to providing high-quality, original editions. We believe that when you buy a piece of art, you shouldn’t have to compromise. That’s not what we’re about. Thanks to our partnership with WhiteWall, our fashion art is produced using the most modern methods available. For fashion art prints, WhiteWall uses an advanced 6-colour printing system that matches the original images pixel for pixel. They then use a UV-light treatment to harden the ink. This prevents bleeding and fading, leaving you with a crisp image that will last for generations.

For our photography editions, we only use the best. When you buy fashion images at LUMAS you can be sure that they’re an authentic edition produced using the original negatives and not a run-of-the-mill copy. That’s what sets us apart. WhiteWall creates all of our editions by pairing traditional methods with the latest photochemical technologies. Using a Lambda room-filling light exposure system, WhiteWall then prints onto Fujicolor’s best: Chrystal Archive Paper. This ensures your fashion images are the highest possible quality, guaranteed to last.

Made to Measure: Tailored Frames at LUMAS

Original editions—displayed just as the artist intended. At LUMAS we consult with the artist, as well as the specialists at WhiteWall, to find the perfect frame for your fashion image. Handmade to measure, WhiteWall frames are not just built to complement your chosen piece, they’re built to last. Finally, we also offer a professional mounting service. Mounting is the ideal way to utilise open wall space and provide a clean, contemporary look. Pressed onto an aluminium composite sheet (Dibond) and then sealed beneath acrylic glass or laminate, these fashion art mounts come with hooks and spacers, ready to hang.