Smokin´1977
FASHION 1970-2018
This Gallery focuses on Matuschka’s collaborative works with fashion photographers and how her experience as a model was essential to her development both in front and behind a camera, in the darkroom, and as a stylist and creator of her own compositions later on.
While attending the School of Visual Arts in NYC in the day --- and driving a cab at night in 1975, a fare suggested Matuschka try modeling and introduced her to the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency. Hence Matuschka is ‘discovered once again;’ and the aspiring artist is sent to Europe to expand her portfolio. Modeling means access to darkrooms, and early lessons in the alchemical process of photography.
Hired to pose for a variety of illustrators and designers on both continents, by 1977 she had done plenty of studio and runway work, and had become one of the go-to gals for the shutterbugs working at Push Pin Studios, a design firm co-founded by Milton Glaser. Matuschka would be called upon for album covers, book jackets, and poster projects and would be very much involved in the ‘art direction’ and costuming of these assignments.It is with those high-end fashion photographer that she hones her skill as a compositional object, posing with a surgeon’s precision and using her body as a graphic shape to make forms and images that are geometric and styled.
Matuschka came from the era when the ‘big pose’ was in play and photographers and designers directed every part of the Model’s body down to her pinky finger and toes, to create a harmonious image. In some cases, she would hold poses for many seconds, maybe a minute, for long exposures taken at night.
Matuschka’s experience as a 70s' model primed her for the photographs she would create in the next 40 years. Like her idol Veruschka, she would continue to use her body in her compositions, becoming the narrator of her own stories and imagination.
Smokin´(1978)
Russian Princess (1978)
Helmut's Chair (1977)
Model Headshot (1978)
The Diplomats Girl (1977)
Trash Bin Fashion, Paris (2018)
The United Nations (1978)
Army Surplus (1988)
Army & Navy (1988)
Charles James Video, Anton Perich (1978)
Charles James fitting Matuschka (1977), Chelsea Hotel, NYC with Anton Perich, Bill Cunningham, Homer Layne, & R. Couri Hay
Behind the Scenes, Manfred Reiff (1997)
Profile Magnificent (1976)
VIDEO STILLS
Matuschka, Charles James, R.Couri Hay, Anton Perich, Bill Cunningham and Homer Layne @ Antonio Lopez Studio (1978)
SELECT ASSIGNMENTS 1977-1984
FRANCE 2017-2018
Matuschka started her career as a fine art model, posing for numerous photographers, illustrators and life sketching classes when whe was 16 in New Jersey.
Four years later, after moving to NYC in 1974 when she was 20 she began fashion modeling, posing for numerous photographers and illustrators while strutting down the catwalks in Paris and New York City.
In the 70s Matuschka modeled for Fabrizio Gianni in Italy, Christian Dior in France and Scott Barrie in NYC among others. She was also the house model for The House of Julio and worked with the great coutourier Charles James until his death in 1978. In the 70s and 80s she apprenticed with Town & Country / Harper's Bazaar photographer Bill Silano. Matuschka's experience as a photographic assistant and model was essential to her development both behind a camera, in the darkroom, and as a stylist for her own self-portraits which would later be published internationally since the 80s.
Photographers Matuschka
Worked With:
DESIGNERS Matuschka Worked With:
FASHION ARTIFACTS AVAILABLE
The FASHION archive contains thousands of slides, 2 & ¼ transparencies, 35 MM b&w & color negatives film, tear sheets, modeling invoices from jobs and her modeling composites.
Archival one of a kind B & W silver gelatin prints; Color C prints and polorids produced in the 70s are available as well as digital prints.