Paris Fashions, Bettina Graziani, Sophie Malgat, Jackie Stoloff, and Janine Klein Modeling Evening Gowns designed by Jacques Fath 1951

Gordon Parks captured this photograph of Jacques Fath's Paris Fashions. It's a black and white image, so the dresses appear like soft tonal experiments, which gives the scene a timeless, dreamy quality. Parks probably had to move around these women, trying different angles to create something that felt both composed and dynamic. I like to think of him circling, a dance between photographer and subject, each influencing the other. What was he looking for? What did he want to say about women and fashion? The butterfly-like appliqués on the dress of the seated figure really grabbed my attention. Parks may have noticed how they contrast with the angular backdrop and the geometric patterns on the other gowns. Or perhaps how they create a sense of playful whimsy against the stiffer, more posed elements of the composition. It’s so interesting how one element can change the whole mood of the image. Parks's photographs are in conversation with other artists working in similar genres. These pictures are like sketches, a continuous exploration of form, light, and the human experience.