HELMUT NEWTON (1920-2004)

Elsa Peretti was a well-known figure within New York's fashion milieu when Newton made this portrait of her on the terrace of her apartment. With his typical eye for the incongruous contrasts that would add spice, and energy to his picture, Newton chose to photograph her by day in a sophisticated version, by designer Halston, of the 'Bunny' outfit associated with the Playboy Empire. These are clothes for the night but Newton juxtaposes his subject with the high-rise architecture of New York in full, strong daylight, subverting through his teasing reference the countless Modernist images of the city with which he was familiar.