Fashion's Mr Penn goes to Bradford

LOUISE JURY

A rare exhibition of the portraiture and still lives of influential fashion photographer Irving Penn opens today.

In a major scoop, the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford has been chosen as the only UK venue for the exhibition on its international tour.

Penn has been in demand for 50 years from editors and heads of fashion houses for his images of glamour and high fashion.

The American's post-War work for Vogue revolutionised fashion photography by dispensing with the clutter of theatrical settings and opting for plain white studios or outside sets.

The works in the exhibition, selected by 79-year-old Penn himself, are dedicated to the memory of his wife and principal model, Lisa Fonssagrives- Penn who died in December.

The subjects include the playwright Arthur Miller and the designer Yves St Laurent but also personal projects, like portraits of Moroccan nomads.

A museum spokeswoman said: "We are ecstatic. There aren't many photographers who you can genuinely describe as master photographers."

The exhibition runs until 1 September.