Published by Twin Palms Publishers. Text by Harland Miller.
Long known for her provocative work in the fashion world, photographer Ellen Von Unwerth becomes a director on the set of a sadomasochistic story told solely through images. Revenge begins with a trio of young women arriving at the estate of the Baroness, expecting a relaxing weekend. The Baroness, her chauffeur and her stablehand soon have them involved in something quite different. Von Unwerth creates a movie-style production complete with a cast and hair and makeup artists. Models wear clothes by Ann Demeulmeester and Dior, shoes from Louboutin and Dolce & Gabbana and more. Cinematic yet effortlessly high-fashion, Revenge encapsulates the aesthetic of the 90s and 2000s that Von Unwerth herself helped define, and includes her trademark glamor and eroticism that has made her the doyenne of modern fashion photography. This alluring vintage-style volume, with linen binding and an oval tip-on, includes an essay by British artist and writer Harland Miller. Ellen Von Unwerth (born 1954) was born in Germany and grew up in the Bavarian foster care system. She worked as a fashion model for ten years before turning to photography. Her breakthrough work arrived in 1989 when she photographed supermodel Claudia Schiffer. In 1991 she received First Prize at the International Festival of Fashion Photography. For over 30 years her photos have been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair and Interview. Harland Miller (born 1964) was born in Yorkshire, England and received a Master’s Degree from Chelsea School of Art in 1988. His first novel, Slow Down Arthur, Stick to Thirty was published in 2000 and received critical acclaim. In 2002 he was Writer in Residence at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London, where he curated an exhibition in homage to Edgar Allan Poe. He is best known for his paintings of Penguin book covers featuring satirical titles.