George Hoyningen-Huene photographing Rita Hayworth, 1943. Photo by Philippe Halsman

George Hoyningen-Huene

An Iconic Photographer of the Twentieth Century

George Hoyningen-Huene is acknowledged as one of the most iconic pioneers in the genre of fashion photography. His elegant pared down style has had a dramatic impact on fashion houses around the world and his work continues to have relevance today, as someone who created some of the most striking photographic portraits and compositions of the twentieth century.

Learn More

ongoing exhibition

George Hoyningen-Huene: Master of Elegant Simplicity

CHANEL NEXUS HALL, Tokyo, Japan, February 7 - March 31, 2024

Learn More

Divers, Horst and Lee Miller, Paris, 1930

anna wintour’s favorite

When asked to choose her favorite Vogue photographs, Anna Wintour included Huene’s The Divers (July 1930).  She also selected images by Edward Steichen, Horst P Horst, Irving Penn and Cecil Beaton. At the centre of this circle of international photographers, was Huene. This gifted group would help to create the look and style of the 1930’s era, and beyond.  Also included, were photographers Richard Avedon, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Lee Miller, all of whom were active supporters of the human rights movement. Huene was one of the first fashion photographers to use male models in photo shoots.

Form – light – shadow

George Hoyningen-Huene will be remembered for his unmatched talent for balancing color, form, light, shadow, and the pared-back look of his images. Many of his timeless photographic masterpieces are in the collections of the world’s leading museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), NYC.

Ernor Carise with a Hula Hoop, 1930

“Isn’t that going to be awfully dull and drab?” George Hoyningen-Huene’s use of neutrals

Dr Lucy Fife Donaldson

This audiovisual essay is published in [in]Transition: Journal of Videographic and Moving Image Studies (10.2, 2023) mediacommons.org/intransition
Research for this project was funded by the British Academy.

Photo of the week

This is where we share our favourite George Hoyningen-Huene photographs and latest discoveries from the archive.

A night to remember @vamuseum celebrating the launch of GEORGE HOYNINGEN-HUENE: PHOTOGRAPHY, FASHION, FILM A conversation about the photographer’s life and career with @suzy_brown_london @ivanshaw and #lydiacaston Special thanks to @bankerwessel graphic designers and @andrewsanigar Commissioning Editor @thamesandhudson Many brilliant writers have contributed new research and a wealth of expertise to the book: Damarice Amao, Lydia Caston, Lucy Fife Donaldson, William A. Ewing, Keith Lodwick, Robin Muir, Alistair O’Neill, Mitchell Owens, Ivan Shaw and Sasha Whittaker. Book cover image: Toto Koopman, evening dress by Augustabernard, photographed by George Hoyningen-Huene for Vogue, 1934 #georgehoyningenhuene #thamesandhudson #photobook #fashionphotography #vogue #vanityfair #harpersbazaar #portraiture #oldhollywood #gelatinsilverprint #platinumpalladium #kodachrome
Today’s the day 🎉 Lovely coverage in The Guardian marking the launch of our new book George Hoyningen-Huene: Photography, Fashion, Film. The book is edited by Susanna Brown with contributions from leading authors and specialists Damarice Amao, Lydia Caston, Lucy Fife Donaldson, William A Ewing, Keith Lodwick, Robin Muir, Alistair O’Neill, Mitchell Owens, Ivan Shaw and Sasha Whittaker. Published by @thamesandhudson Special thanks to @andrewsanigar and the super designers @bankerwessel
View all

Tracing the threads of influence: George Hoyningen-Huene and Les Girls (1957)

Dr Lucy Fife Donaldson

An account of George Hoyningen-Huene's contribution and collaborations with George Cukor, Gene Allen and Orry-Kelly. This essay is published in Movie: A Journal of Film Criticism, issue 10. Click here to read the accompanying essay statement.

Selected works