Fashion, Coco Chanel, ‘Handwritten Letter’

© Mark Shaw
France. 1957
Digital archival print authenticated, signed and numbered by David Shaw, executor of the Estate
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity

Coco Chanel was photographed for LIFE in 1957 at the age of 74 during her ‘comeback.’ She had retired in 1938, a rich woman with 3000 employees, but unable to resist the lure of fashion, had re-entered the business in 1954 where ‘...she was sensationally successful.’

Mark Shaw's informal, grainy, black and white images of Coco Chanel were created using an unobtrusive 35mm camera and film processing methods that enabled him to eliminate all other photographic equipment. Although Shaw's techniques increased the grain and contrast of the photographs, the lack of intimidating, distracting flash and lights allowed him to capture an unusually relaxed Chanel. Although best known for his work with John F. Kennedy and family, Mark Shaw’s impressive oeuvre also includes fashion photography for both runways and publications.

Mark Shaw’s body of work can be found in the collections of many prominent photography collectors. Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Aniston, and Martha Stewart are among the well-known figures who own his vintage or posthumous prints. Some of Mark Shaw’s most beautiful photography work was commissioned by fashion houses over a ten-year period. After working in still photographic film for over twenty years, Shaw embraced a new challenge, by 1965 Shaw was an active film director filming award winning commercials for television and working as a photographic consultant to film directors.

Mark Shaw’s vintage silver gelatin prints were all produced under his supervision. There are a limited number of these prints available for sale and are mainly one off prints. Most works depict the Kennedy family. There are a few vintage prints available of Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel and other celebrities. They were produced during the 1950s and early 1960s.

National Portrait Gallery
E.S.
House and Garden
Harper’s Bazaar
Creative Boom
Life With the Kennedys

Bring inspiration into your lifestyle with Proud Galleries, we have the largest collection of authenticated, hand signed, estate embossed, limited edition and vintage photography.

Contact us to book a viewing at our space in central London, to add any of our fine art prints to your collection or for advisory services.

• Fine art prints are editioned unless otherwise indicated and come hand signed and/or embossed by the photographer or their Estate.
• Fine art prints are occasionally made to order and delivery usually takes a few weeks. We can provide gift certificates in advance of delivering the artwork.
• Bespoke framing and delivery services are subject to additional fees.
• We only ship framed photography outside London, or abroad, when ordering a foamed wooden crate.
• All prices exclude VAT. Sales for deliveries outside the E.U. and the U.K. operate at a zero-vat rate.
• Proud Galleries reserves the right to amend any pricing or information.