Flashback to the 90s: Terry Richardson's Iconic Campaigns for Sisley
July 8, 2023 in Photography & Visuals by Julian Everett
Renowned for his provocative and sometimes controversial work, photographer Terry Richardson significantly contributed to the tone of 90s fashion advertising with his campaigns for the Italian brand Sisley. His candid, raw, and edgy style resonated with the 90s cultural climate and helped create some of the most memorable fashion campaigns of the decade.
Characterized by risqué, rebellious, and at times, shocking themes, Richardson's campaigns for Sisley pushed boundaries and redefined standards for fashion advertising. The photographer's approach was in line with the 90s grunge era, an era marked by nonchalance, authenticity, and defiance against mainstream standards.
One of the most talked-about campaigns includes the image of model Josie Maran biting suggestively into a spaghetti strand, a daring play on Italian culture and sensuality. These audacious images, coupled with the era's anything-goes spirit, helped carve Sisley's identity as a daring and youthful brand.
However, Richardson's campaigns were not without controversy. The explicit nature of his work often sparked debates about the sexualization and objectification in fashion advertising. Despite the contention, there is no denying that Terry Richardson's work for Sisley has left a lasting imprint on the history of fashion photography.
While his style may not align with today's evolving societal norms and expectations in advertising, Terry Richardson's iconic 90s campaigns for Sisley remain an influential part of fashion history. The photographer's raw and daring approach captured the zeitgeist of the era and helped define the aesthetic of 90s fashion advertising.