For Spring 2006, the King of German fashion was inspired by the photography of Louise Dahl-Wolfe, specifically her work from ‘Harper’s Bazaar’ in the 1930s and 1940s.

“Her photos evoke feelings of both innocence and sophistication; Romance and resistance; Rigor and restraint. It is these contradictions that embody my collection – a flush of color, a flower, a woman’s single braid…” said Wolfgang Joop about his collection.

Choosing Dahl-Wolfe as an inspiration is an apt choice. A pioneer of the use of natural lighting and using outdoor locations in fashion photography, Louise Dahl-Wolfe was ahead of her time.

Before her revolutionary approach, fashion was photographed in the studio, often in elaborate sets. The models took static poses and lighting was dramatic and highly artificial.

Dahl-Wolfe often shot in daylight and traveled to exotic locations, from Brazil to North Africa, incorporating local scenery and architecture into her work. Her models were also an innovation in fashion photography: slim and sleek, impeccably groomed yet somehow more informal and distinctly American than their predecessors.

The photographs of Louise Dahl-Wolfe beginning in the mid 1930's brought a new vitality to fashion photography.

With an inspiration like the works of Louise Dahl-Wolfe, plus Wolfgang Joop’s penchant for using materials in unexpected context and combinations, expect Wunderkind to break new grounds in fashion this Spring 2006.

WUNDERKIND by Wolfgang Joop
Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 at 11:00AM
The Tent at Bryant Park
By invitation only
Contact: Factory PR
Tel: (212) 941 - 7057
Fax: (212) 941 - 7058