DAVID SIMS (B. 1966) Kate, for Paris Vogue, September 2005

signed, titled dated and numbered in ink on printed artist’s label ‘1/5’ (on the reverse) 137.3 x 111.6 cm (image) archival pigment print, flush-mounted on aluminium Edition: no.1 from the edition of 5 + 2 artist’s proofs Executed in 2013 Provenance: Collection of Gert Elfering. Christie’s London, Kate Moss From The Collection of Gert Elfering, 25 September 2013, lot 13. Private collection. Literature: Paris Vogue, September 2005, ‘Mode, Mode, Mode...’, p. 305. Acclaimed fashion photographer David Sims was initially known for the stark modernism, plain backdrops and the graphic posing in his work. In later years he would begin to capture movement in his photographs. American Vogue remarked that Sims’ work was ‘setting a new standard’ for fashion photography. Sims over the years has contributed to the most influential fashion publications in the world, including US and French Vogue, W magazine, The Face, i-D, L’Uomo Vogue, Arena Homme Plus, Vogue Homme International and Dazed & Confused. The photographer signed an exclusive retainer with US Harper’s Bazaar for 2000 and 2001. His numerous commercial clients represent fashion’s biggest players: Prada , Givenchy, Valentino, Stella McCartney, Salvatore Ferregamo, Louis Vuitton and Alexander Wang, among many more. Sims began his editorial career in 1985 shooting for i-D, having assisted photographers Robert Erdmann and Norman Watson when he left school. Sims’ commercial break came when he was called upon to shoot Calvin Klein and CK’s 1993 campaigns featuring Kate Moss . Calvin Klein sought a more modern aesthetic to suit his minimalist designs. A second globally recognized campaign, for Yohji Yamamoto in 1995, would cement Sims’ reputation and lead to him being named Photographer of the Year in 1996 at the International Festival of Photography, beating Mario Testino , Craig McDean , Steven Meisel , Juergen Teller and David LaChapelle. That same year he would shoot his first cover, for i-D, again featuring Kate Moss. Mert Alaş & Marcus Piggott, known as Mert and Marcus, are a celebrated duo of fashion photographers. Born in 1971 in Turkey and Wales respectively, they met in England in 1994 and soon formed a creative partnership. Their first photographs were published on the cover of the London fashion magazine Dazed & Confused, marking the beginning of an influential career. Since then, Mert and Marcus have become two of the most sought-after photographers in the fashion industry, working regularly with leading publications such as Vogue, Vogue Paris, Vogue Italia, Interview, and W Magazine. Their distinctive, highly stylised aesthetic has also led to collaborations with major fashion houses including Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Giorgio Armani. Renowned for their glamorous and provocative imagery, they have photographed numerous international celebrities such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Julia Roberts. Their work has played a major role in shaping contemporary fashion photography.