Steidlville

Trait par Trait showcases Karl Lagerfeld’s celebrity portrait photography made for the French magazine Madame Figaro. Focusing on actors, directors and musicians, Lagerfeld depicts a mixture of Hollywood and French stars. From Jeanne Moreau and Charlotte Rampling, to Cate Blanchett, Benicio del Toro and Pamela Anderson, Lagerfeld explores the spectrum of legends and new-comers that defines today’s entertainment industry. These black-and-white photographs incorporate both classic and more progressive portraiture, from the refined profile of Richard Berry, to the exuberant Valérie Lemercier bare-footed and arms outstretched. Lagerfeld encapsulates each sitter’s appearance and sense of self: there is the beaming Jack Nicholson in trademark sunglasses, the cryptic David Lynch lighting a cigarette, the smouldering Monica Bellucci and the mischievous Ashton Kutcher. Yet as well as presenting celebrities in their own skins, Lagerfeld also captures unexpected transformations: Lindsay Lohan for example appears as an alluring young Elizabeth Taylor, and Fanny Ardant as the peerless Maria Callas.