"The photograph came off as planned. What had seemed to some as too dangerous or difficult to accomplish, became my fantasy fulfilled, and my most memorable self–assigned photograph."
~ Ormond Gigli
(1925 - 2019)
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS WORK
Ormond Gigli's greatest image, Models in the Windows, was taken on New York’s East 58th Street in 1960. It is widely considered one of the most famous fashion shots of the 1960s, and captures a slice of long-gone New York. It has such great energy and is so memorable, you are sure to remember it long after having seen it for the first time.
Self-assigned, the Models in the Windows image is some of Gigli's best work and has a fabulous creation story to match.
Here are Gigli's own words on the story..
"In 1960, while a construction crew dismantled a row of brownstones right across from my own brownstone studio on East 58th Street, I was inspired to, somehow, immortalize those buildings. I had the vision of 43 women in formal dress adorning the windows of the skeletal facade.
We had to work quickly to secure City permissions, arrange for models which included celebrities, the demolition supervisor’s wife, my own wife, and also secure the Rolls Royce to be parked on the sidewalk. Careful planning was a necessity as the photography had to be accomplished during the workers’ lunch time!
The day before the buildings were razed, the 43 women appeared in their finest attire, went into the buildings, climbed the old stairs, and took their places in the windows.
I was set up on my fire escape across the street, directing the scene, with a bullhorn in hand. Of course, I was concerned for the Models’ safety, as some were daring enough to pose out on the crumbling sills.
The photography came off as planned. What had seemed to some as too dangerous or difficult to accomplish, became my fantasy fulfilled, and my most memorable self–assigned photograph. It has been an international award winner ever since."
For any questions or inquiries please email peter@peterfetterman.com