Brian Duffy

Heralded as one of the most innovative photographers of the 1960s, British-born Brian Duffy initially found his niche in fashion photography, shooting for British Vogue and French Elle. He took memorable photographs of the biggest models of the day—like Jean Shrimpton—often choosing to capture his subjects in the wilds of the streets rather than the confines of a studio. Duffy also became known for his vivid black-and-white portraiture of such 1960s greats as John Lennon, William S. Burroughs, Sidney Poitier and Nina Simone. In the 1970s, Duffy transitioned into advertising photography and also developed an ongoing professional relationship with David Bowie. He’d end up shooting one of Bowie’s most iconic album covers: Aladdin Sane. Duffy passed away in 2010, but thanks to the Duffy Archive Instagram feed, his photographic legacy can inspire a whole new generation of artists.

 

This endearing image of Jane Birkin fits the bill for the Easter bonnet! Taken in 1965 at the beginning of Jane’s career as an actress and singer for now defunct Queen Magazine. Jane is perhaps best known for her risqué duet with Serge Gainsbourg 'Je t’aime’ which was banned in the UK. She appeared in several cult movies and appeared shortly after this photo was taken in ‘Blowup' and ‘Wonderwall’. Today she is known by the fashionista’s for the ‘Birkin Bag’ which has never-ending appeal. #jane.birkin #janebirkindaily #actor #singer #1965 #swingingsixties #queenmagazine #sergegainsbourg #blackandwhitephoto #portraitphotography #monochrome #fashionphotographer #filmsnotdead #cultmovie #birkinbag

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Mar 27, 2016 at 2:14am PDT

 

Duffy’s final shoot with David was for the Scary Monsters album cover in 1980. By this time Duffy had retired from stills photography but David lured him back into the studio for one last cover. Here you will see (for the very first time) nine images from the contact sheet. Costume by Natasha Korniloff. Makeup by Richard Sharah. #davidbowie #bowie #davidrobertjones #scarymonstersmonsters #natashakorniloff #richardsharah #albumcover #davidbowieis #legend #iconic #ripbowie #iconic #iconicphotograph #david_bowie_forever #davidbowiesmoking #davidbowie1984 #david_bowies_wonderworld #bowieonthecoverofamagazine #davidbowieis #vinyl #1980 #david.freaking.bowie #davidbowiejones #somebowie #bowiegoldenyears #bowiegram #bowie_stardustx #contactsheet

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Feb 9, 2016 at 1:50am PST

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This photo of the popular female impersonator and entertainer Danny La Rue was taken in 1964. Taken backstage at the London Palladium. During the 1960's he was one of Britain's highest paid entertainers. #brianduffy #duffyphotographer #duffyarchive #dannylarue #londonpalladium #entertainer #femaleimpersonator #1960's #backstage #royalvariety #celebrityimpersonator #pantomime

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Jan 9, 2016 at 9:55pm PST

 

Duffy shot this image in 1963 when working for French Elle with Art Director Peter Knapp. In 1963 French Elle was a weekly fashion magazine with two teams of designers compiling the issues. Today French Elle is the worlds best selling fashion magazine with 43 international editions in over 60 countries.#brianduffy #duffyarchive #duffyphotographer #frenchelle #peterknapp #frenchfashion #1963 #swingingsixties #swinging60’s #1960sfashion #fashionphotographer #fashionphotographyappreciation #streetscene #paris #monochrome #bwphotograph #filmsnotdead #umbrella

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Jan 3, 2016 at 8:55pm PST

 

Paulene Stone along with Jean Shrimpton were two of Duffy's favourite models and very much part of the Swinging Sixties scene. Duffy and Paulene worked together extensively over their respective careers. This risqué photo was taken for Town Magazine which was originally called 'Man about Town' in 1962. More images of Paulene are available on our website #brianduffy #duffyphotographer #duffyarchive #townmagazine #paulenestone #1962 #swingingsixties #60sfashion#fashionphotographer

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Dec 19, 2015 at 12:22am PST

 

Duffy started his career with Vogue and this photo was taken in 1961 in Curzon Street, London with his trademark prop of a newspaper. #brianduffy #duffyphotographer #duffyarchive #vogue #fashionphotographyappreciation #fashionphotographer #london #filmsnotdead #monochrome #hats #swingingsixties #60’sfashion #1961 #gifts#

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:04am PST

 

Birthday greetings to Amanda Lear who was one of Duffy’s more controversial models. This image was taken for Nova magazine in 1971 for an article ‘How to undress in front of your husband’ on the iconic Panton chair. Recently this image was used by Panton for promotion of the chair. It was thought that Amanda had in fact been born male – something she has never confirmed one way or another. In one interview she claimed that David Bowie had started the rumour. Duffy loved controversy and it’s highly likely that he chose to work with Amanda for that very reason. Amanda's has had a highly successful career in several different genres and was a longtime muse of the artist Salvador Dali. #brianduffy #amandalear #novamagazine #pantonchair #davidbowie #salvadordali #iconic #1971 #1970s #1970sphotography #hasselblad

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Nov 18, 2015 at 4:23am PST

 

This demi-contact sheet is a crop of the larger contact sheet taken from the Aladdin Sane session that Duffy shot with David in 1973. In 2008 when the archive was formed Chris put together this composition together with Duffy and it has proved an interesting insight into the session. Makeup by Pierre Laroche who originally drew a much smaller flash on David’s face before Duffy picked up a lipstick, drew the outline of a larger flash which Pierre filled in. This symbol is instantly linked with David. More info on this second session (of five) that Duffy shot with David in the book ‘Duffy Bowie:Five Sessions by Kevin Cann & Chris Duffy #davidbowie #bowie #davidrobertjones #aladdinsane #davidbowieis #starman #legend #iconic #contactsheet #ripbowie #tonyvisconti #pierrelaroche #spidersfrommars #iconic #freddieburetti #iconicphotograph #david_bowie_forever #davidbowiesmoking #davidbowie1984 #david_bowies_wonderworld #bowieonthecoverofamagazine #davidbowieis #david.freaking.bowie #davidbowiejones #somebowie #bowiegoldenyears #bowiegram #bowie_stardustx

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Feb 1, 2016 at 1:28am PST

 

Jean was the model of the day and this photo captures her beauty and elegance. Duffy’s was working for French Elle at this time and this image was used on the cover of their September 1963 edition. More of Duffy’s work with French Elle can be found in the french edition of Mode 60’s 70’s dans l’oeil de Duffy #BrianDuffy #duffyarchive #duffyphotographer #frenchelle #peterknapp #jeanshrimpton #60sfashion #1963 #frenchfashion #fur #vintagefur #hats #fashionphotographyappreciation #fashionphotographer #christmasgifts #xmasgift

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Dec 5, 2015 at 3:25am PST

 

Today would have marked the 90th birthday of the late and great Sammy Davis Jr. This portrait of Sammy was taken in 1960 for Vogue – the year that he joined the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sammy was a founder member of the infamous ‘Rat Pack’ along with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. #brianduffy #duffyarchive #duffyphotographer #vogue #1960 #sammydavisjr #ratpack #black_white_photography #filmsnotdead #portraitphotography #monochrome #christmasgifts #xmasgift

A photo posted by Duffy Archive (@duffy_archive) on Dec 8, 2015 at 1:05am PST