V LEGENDS: Steven Klein
FOR THE 100TH ISSUE, V PAYS HOMAGE TO THE EDITORS, IMAGE-MAKERS, AND RULE-BREAKERS WHO HAVE SHAPED THE MAGAZINE. YOU CAN CALL THEM LEGENDS. TODAY WE TURN TO PHOTOGRAPHER STEVEN KLEIN
FOR THE 100TH ISSUE, V PAYS HOMAGE TO THE EDITORS, IMAGE-MAKERS, AND RULE-BREAKERS WHO HAVE SHAPED THE MAGAZINE. YOU CAN CALL THEM LEGENDS. TODAY WE TURN TO PHOTOGRAPHER STEVEN KLEIN
Photography: Steven Klein
Text: Patrik Sandberg
Steven Klein possesses a keen ability to transform his subjects and present even the most seasoned vets with an opportunity to show off sides of themselves the world has never seen. This is why they come to Klein in the first place: to be pushed creatively, to shed their skin, and to lose themselves in his profound process. For female pop stars in particular, who are often seen in far too polished a capacity, Klein has made it his purpose to picture them looking less polished, celebrating the dark sides of these worshipped women.
From Polaroids of a veil-clad Lana Del Rey—who approached the magazine for a cover in order to fulfill her long-standing dream of working with Klein—to Gigi and Bella Hadid as killer kin on the run, Klein taps into the transformative darkness that lays dormant in all his subjects. In his own words: “Projects in particular that were immensely satisfying were revisiting the idea of feminine idolatry in a modern way and were aided by the selection of the female icons, such as Madonna, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga and Daphne Guinness. The idea being women representative of empowerment. I will continue this mode in the future.”
This is an excerpt from V Legends: a special supplement to V100. To read the full compendium, order your copy of V100 here, or pick up the issue on stands now.
JOAN SMALLS IN MOSCHINO, STYLED BY ARIANNE PHILLIPS FOR V94.
KARLIE KLOSS IN COMME DES GARCONS, STYLED BY PATTI WILSON FOR V94.
RIHANNA IN VERSACE, STYLED BY CARLYNE CERF DE DUDZEELE FOR V95.
BELLA AND GIGI HADID IN CELINE AND LA PERLA, STYLED BY PATTI WILSON FOR V96.
LANA DEL REY IN DSQUARED2, STYLED BY MEL OTTENBERG FOR V97.
MADONNA IN OSCAR DE LA RENTA, STYLED BY ARIANNE PHILLIPS FOR V89.
LUKE WORRALL IN CHRISTOPHER KANE AND PRADA, STYLED BY PANOS YIAPANIS FOR V51.
KENDALL JENNER IN CALVIN KLEIN UNDERWEAR AND JEANS, STYLED BY MATTHEW ELLENBERGER FOR V95.
AJAK DENG AND MARIA BORGES IN LENNY NEIMEYER, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, AND OYE, STYLED BY ARIANNE PHILLIPS FOR V94.
BELLA AND GIGI HADID IN VERSACE, STYLED BY PATTI WILSON FOR V96.
LANA DEL REY IN RALPH LAUREN AND A SLIP FROM SCREAMING MIMI'S, STYLED BY MEL OTTENBERG FOR V97.
BROOKE CANDY IN LANVIN AND HYEIN SEO, STYLED BY NICOLA FORMICHETTI FOR V89.
MADONNA AND KATY PERRY, STYLED BY ARIANNE PHILLIPS FOR V89.
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RIHANNA IN ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER AND RALPH LAUREN, STYLED BY CARLYNE CERF DE DUDZEELE FOR V95.