Jean Clemmer & Paco Rabanne, 1969

Jean Clemmer, Nus féminins (parures) (5), 1969.


Jean Clemmer, Fofollel (3).

These gorgeous nudes were taken by Jean Clemmer, a noted Parisian bon vivant and key member of the French avant-garde art and intellectual circles from the 40s to the 60s. While he is probably most well-known for being one of Dali's closest friends and his personal photographer, as well as being a muse of Jean Cocteau, Clemmer took these photos for a book of nudes in collaboration with Paco Rabanne. The book, Nues, was published 1969, to immediate notoriety, but quickly fell out of print and has become a collector's item. Sculptural and elegant, these nudes are at once quiet yet also dynamic- a sense that is enhanced by the heavy chainmail dresses and accessories that both cover and reveal the body. Clemmer also uses chiffon in these photos, which provides the same feeling of a covering that is also transparent. These photos are currently on view for the first time together since 1969 at the Flash Projects gallery in London- the show is only on until December 18th so I will sadly miss it, but I plan on visiting the gallery later in the month to see if I can pick up a gallery guide or publication.


Jean Clemmer, Nus féminins (parures) (3), 1969.


Jean Clemmer, Sautant, c.1968


Jean Clemmer, Nus féminins (robes filets) (3), 1969.


All photos courtesy of AnOther.