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.

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New book

George hoyningen-huene
photografpy, Fashion, Film

The first publication in almost forty years on the work of George Hoyningen-Huene; the photographer whose images defined an era. A captivating photographic odyssey spanning fashion, Hollywood, and travel.

The book was recently featured by the Wall Street Journal as one of three Holiday Gift Books 2024 in the fashion category.

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ongoing exhibition

George Hoyningen-Huene - Glamour e Avanguardia

Milano, Palazzo Reale, 21 January - 18 May 2025

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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.

We are honored and proud to have contributed to the amfAR Gala in Cannes at Hôtel Du Cap-Eden-Roc by donating two works by George Hoyningen-Huene – Josephine Baker, 1929 and Balenciaga, 1938. amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy, and we are thrilled that both artworks helped raise an €50,000. George Hoyningen-Huene was in extraordinary company alongside artists such as Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Chopard, Chris Succo, Alexandre Diop, Adrien Brody, Julian Lennon, George Condo, Chris Levine, and James Franco. We truly believe that Baron George Hoyningen-Huene would have been proud to contribute to such vital research. A heartfelt thank you to everyone at amfAR, the auctioneer Simon de Pury, all the generous donors, Duran Duran for their amazing performance, and everyone else who made this evening such a great success. @simondepury @julianlennonphotography @amfar @edenrochotel
Photo London | booth G20 | Atlas Gallery ”Divers, swimwear by Izod” from 1930 and ”Sudanese Nude” from 1937 are on display✨. #georgehoyningenhuene #photolondon @atlasgallery @photolondonfair
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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