Models Matter

In 2008, Christopher Niquet, then a respected French stylist, spotted the 1960s supermodel Peggy Moffitt in a Beverly Hills restaurant. Never previously an autograph chaser, he nonetheless felt compelled to ask for hers. This candid moment ignited an obsessive quest for the faces that changed fashion history. Niquet began to approach the models he considered quintessential figures in his industry. “My original purpose was to get beyond the abstract, incorporeal beauty of these icons, and bring back a sense of their physicality. For me, each signature restored a womanly reality to the imaginary being.” Through his collection of autographs, we explore a multi-layered history of feminine beauty, from Jean Shrimpton to Jerry Hall, from Lauren Bacall to Isabella Rossellini, from Anita Pallenberg to Naomi Campbell, muses for extraordinary fashion giants such as Steven Meisel (who writes the preface to this book), Karl Lagerfeld, Diana Vreeland and Richard Avedon.

Niquet pays homage to the 20th century’s greatest beauties. (Departures)

Models Matter is a yearbook-style compendium of muses. Written entries about the greatest models of our time range from ruminative text to a few offhand sentences, accompanied by vintage photographs shot by greats from Avedon to Scavullo. (Sarah Moroz i-D Magazine)

[Models Matter] is cause for amazement, relief, and hope. These women deserve our recognition. They were all so unique, so talented, so passionate about their craft. (L'Oeil de la Photographie)