In his first major solo show in Milan, Michel Haddi chronicles 40 years of capturing cultural icons, transcending the world of fashion.
Above: Jennifer Lopez for French Vogue in Malibu, 1994, Copyright: Michel Haddi
From a Parisian orphanage to capturing the highest culture of the late 20th century, Michel Haddi’s first major solo exhibition in Milan promises a photographic journey that goes above and beyond fashion.
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Set to open on 19th October at 29 Arts in Progress gallery, Michel Haddi: Beyond Fashion offers an extraordinary lens into Haddi’s 40-year career. The French-Algerian photographer will showcase a veritable pantheon of cultural icons — from Isabella Rossellini and David Bowie to Jennifer Lopez and Naomi Campbell.
Kate Moss, New York, 1991. Haddi’s take is intimate, personal and unconventional, just like much of his career
Georgia May Jagger for Gala Magazine in Paris in 2017. On display will be the most exemplary images of a career spanning more than 40 years
The retrospective, unfolding over two phases, demonstrates Haddi’s rare ability to encapsulate an era through his celebrity portraits. His take is intimate and personal, a tribute to a life spent capturing “the deepest essence of his subjects.”
Raised in the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul Orphanage in Paris, Haddi was introduced to photography through copies of Vogue his mother would bring him. He eventually left Paris, working in cities across the world. Mentorship under Victor Herbert set him on a path that led to collaborations with global publications, from Vogue to Rolling Stone.
Debi Mazar for British Vogue in New York in 1994. Haddi was born in 1956 in Paris to a French soldier he never knew and an Algerian Muslim mother
Malcolm X’s daughters, Ilyasah Shabazz & Gamilah Shabazz, photographed in New York in 1992. Haddi had a turbulent childhood, moving between foster homes until the age of six; eventually, he ended up at the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul orphanage in Paris
Haddi photographed Veruschka von Lehndorff, the German aristocrat, actress and model, in London in 1989. Haddi’s mother brought him copies of Vogue which fascinated him throughout his childhood, looking at the photos of great photographers
Kylie Minogue was shot at the Raymond Revue Bar in London for Vogue in 1990. Haddi aspired to leave Paris and become a photographer while working in a famous restaurant where he met personalities from the world of fashion and many stars
Angelina Jolie and Adrien Brody photographed for Vogue in 1993. In 1970, after a journey that took him by way of Saudi Arabia, Michel began assisting various photographers
Debbie Harry in 1994 for British Vogue. In 1980 Haddi opened his first studio and then began collaborating with magazines such as American GQ, Jardin des Modes and British Vogue
Stephanie Seymour, for Esquire in 1991. In 1981 Haddi was commissioned by Vogue Hommes for a ten-page photoshoot, which resulted in a long and fruitful collaboration
Isabella Rossellini, for Vogue Hommes in 1994. From 1989 on Haddi moved around New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, and Milan working for more than 30 years as one of the leading photographers in fashion
Jean Paul Gaultier for Mirabella in New York in 1993. A photographer and film director, Haddi is now based in London where he also manages a publishing house, MHS publishing, which publishes his own books
David Bowie by Michel Haddi in 1993. Haddi’s work will go on show in Milan on 19th October until 16th March
The exhibition itself is a rich tapestry of black and white studio photographs and vibrant shots that evoke a 90s American atmosphere. It also includes advertising campaigns Haddi created for brands such as Versace, Chanel, and Yves Saint-Laurent.
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To deepen the audience’s interaction with his work, live events featuring Haddi himself will animate the exhibition. Details on this are expected to be announced soon.
The gallery in Via San Vittore 13 will open its doors to the public on Thursday, 19th October, with the exhibition running until 16th March 2024.
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