TURBEVILLE

DEBORAH TURBEVILLE, BATH HOUSE SERIES, AMERICAN VOGUE 1975.  

A GROUP OF YOUNG WOMEN POSED AT THE ASTOR LEVY PLACE BATHHOUSE IN NEW YORK.  IT WAS CONSIDERED GROUNDBREAKING, LARGELY DUE TO ITS PENETRATING INSIGHT INTO FEMALE SEXUALITY.

'IT’S VERY COMPLEX,’ SHE TOLD ME.  'IF YOU USE CLOTHES THE WAY I TRY TO USE CLOTHES WHEN I WORK WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF STYLISTS AND EDITORS, THEN IT BECOMES A DESCRIPTION. IT’S LIKE DRESSING SOMEONE FOR A FILM OR A PORTRAIT. IT GOES BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF PAINTING, OR THE SILENT FILMS THAT I RESPECT SO MUCH AND WATCH SO AVIDLY. CLOTHES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, MORE SO, I SUSPECT, THAN FOR COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS.

I LOOK ON FASHION AND STYLE AS A VALUE THAT ALLOWS ME TO MAKE A PICTURE IN ANOTHER WAY.’