Tim Walker: Story Teller

A highlight of the London exhibition calendar this season is Tim Walker Story Teller, a beautifully-curated vision of the fashion photographer’s otherworldly images at Somerset House.

Yesterday, I was treated to a special preview of the exhibition, led by Tim Walker himself. Supported by Mulberry, the exhibition takes place in the stunning new East Wing Galleries at Somerset House and focuses on Walker’s photography. The dazzling images are punctuated with over-sized installations, props and sketches, offering an insight into the painstaking production and mechanics behind the shoots.

The subjects of the photographs are mostly the cream of the fashion world – supermodels, designers, renowned critics, East End club kids and the more avant-garde actresses. In the exhibition we see Karen Elson as Little Red Riding Hood, Kristen McMenamy entrapped by a white spider, Alber Elbaz in bunny ears, Lindsay Wixson terrorised by a giant doll and Helena Bonham-Carter as a disgruntled queen wearing Vivienne Westwood and sipping on a can of Diet Coke.

There is also a rare chance to see the sheer size of the installations that feature in the photographs, including a melancholy crying skeleton, a creepy over-sized doll, insects playing double bass, a snail crawling down the wall and a full-size Spitfire plane.

The exquisite garments are a huge part of the visual narratives and Tim Walker’s images were just made for showcasing couture. Look out for masterful, extravagant dresses by Chanel Haute Couture, Oscar de la Renta, Jean Paul Gaultier Couture, Givenchy Haute Couture, Dior Haute Couture, Giorgio Armani Privé, Atelier Versace, Alexander McQueen and Valentino Couture.

One of my favourite images from the show is Stella Tennant wearing a Peter Jensen magenta gown and covered in vivid pink powder clouds, shot in the gardens of Eglingham Hall in Northumberland. Having grown up in Northumberland and spent countless summers visiting the county’s various stately homes, it was a delight to see Tim Walker’s dreamy scenes shot there, bringing the historic rooms to life.

To coincide with the exhibition, Thames & Hudson have published the most beautiful book entitled Story Teller by Tim Walker (£45), featuring over 175 images from Walker’s personal archives – some images can also be spotted in the exhibition. The book includes a foreword by Kate Bush, an introduction by Robin Muir and a poetic afterword by Tim Walker. I was lucky enough to receive a copy to add to my fashion book collection and it’s already one of my favourites.

Tim Walker Story Teller is like stepping into a dream world, and the exhibition perfectly presents the fashion photographer’s breathtaking, imaginatively styled, witty and often whimsical and ethereal images. Spend a few hours getting lost in Tim Walker’s wonderland – it’s a truly enchanting, enthralling experience.

Tim Walker Story Teller runs until 27 January 2013 in the East Wing Galleries at Somerset House and admission is free. Story Teller by Tim Walker is available to buy at Amazon.co.uk

For more information, visit: www.somersethouse.org.uk

Photos by Mulberry and Chérie City

Summer in London was all about the Olympic Games and the Royal Family, but for autumn 2012, the focus is firmly back on fashion. What better way to ease into the colder months than in a cosy museum in the company of haute couture and beautiful photography?

See the very best fashion exhibitions in Europe this autumn…

Tim Walker: Story Teller, supported by Mulberry, explores the great fashion photographer’s mesmerising, often whimsical images created for the world’s top fashion magazines. Alongside instantly recognisable and rarely seen photographs, the exhibition reveals the mechanics behind the magical images with props and installations, including a giant doll and Spitfire plane.
– Somerset House, London – 18 October 2012 – 27 January 2013

Chloé Attitudes celebrates the 60 years of the maison founded by Gaby Aghion, with its first dedicated exhibition. On display will be key looks from each of Chloé’s nine designers, exploring the brand’s aesthetic and iconic signatures. It will be difficult not to feel a hint of nostalgia when seeing memorable designs by Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo and Martine Sitbon, alongside early creators and current designer Clare Waight Keller. Also featured are never-seen-before drawings and images of the Chloé woman by Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton, Jeanloup Sieff and David Bailey.
– Palais de Tokyo, Paris – until 18th November

Madame Grès – Sculptural Fashion pays tribute to the elements of sculpture in Madame Grès’ designs, from her exquisite draping and Hellenic-inspired evening gowns to chic beachwear. The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with Belgian artist Renato Nicolodi and his works also feature. If you missed the Madame Grès retrospective at the Musée Galliera, Paris, this is a great opportunity to see the garments interpreted in a new way.
– Momu, Antwerp – until 10th February 2013

Valentino: Master of Couture celebrates Valentino Garavani’s nearly half-century in fashion and the artistry behind his brand. The dedicated three-part exhibition begins by focusing on Valentino’s personal life with photos from his archive, leading into a major survey of his haute couture, featuring an impressive 130 pieces. Finally, visitors are given a rare insight into the craft of couture, showcasing the intricate work of ‘les petits mains’, whose exquisite hand-sewing, beadwork and embroidery made Valentino a cut above the rest.

– Somerset House, London – 29 November 2012 – 3 March 2013

The Little Black Jacket is the travelling photographic exhibition to accompany Karl Lagerfeld’s book, ‘The Little Black Jacket; CHANEL’s classic revisited by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld’. The exhibition features 113 photographs showing the iconic Chanel jacket worn in a number of ways by such as Sofia Coppola, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kanye West, Waris Ahluwalia and Kirsten Dunst. See the exhibition before it moves on to Moscow, Sydney, Paris and finishes in Berlin.
– Saatchi Gallery, London – 12 October – 4 November

Tim Walker Story Teller At Somerset House

A Season Of Fabulous Fashion Exhibitions