At 15, the London-born David Bailey was jazz mad and Picasso loving but, being a dyslexic cockney, was booted out of school. Escape from gritty East London seemed unlikely until he picked up a Rolleiflex during his stint in the National Service. Three years later, in 1960, he was under contract at British Vogue.
Prodigiously talented, Bailey was also wildly charismatic and uncommonly pretty, a high-octane amalgam that no doubt fueled his meteoric rise. Soon, he was chronicling, and surfing, the cultural tsunami that transformed London in the Swinging Sixties, when young creatives from music, fashion, advertising, theater, film, TV and journalism toppled the British establishment to become the new royalty.
This was the moment when the seeds of celebrity culture were sown. Bailey snapped all these revolutionary aristos: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Michael Caine, Tom Stoppard and David Hockney. Each and every one looks impossibly dewy and fresh and brims with an entirely modern derring-do.
So, too, do “the beautiful birds,” as Bailey called the alluring models and actresses who defined that decade: the exquisite Jean “Shrimp” Shrimpton, Twiggy, Penelope Tree, Brigitte Bardot, Jeanne Moreau, Catherine Deneuve. A number of them became his lovers, Deneuve his wife (he’s had four), for a time.
It was a wild ride for an East End lad and literally the stuff of movies. Bailey was the inspiration for the prowling fashion photographer Thomas, played by pretty boy David Hemmings, in one of the iconic films of that era, Antonioni’s Blowup.
But despite his playboy persona and lucrative work in fashion advertising, Bailey has always possessed real psychological depth and artistic ambition. He can snap like few others. His closest peer in spontaneity, insight and cool was Richard Avedon. Both preferred a white backdrop, strong lighting and a tight focus to capture that rare telling moment.
Someone shot with eyes shut is not an accident with Bailey but a revelation. To this day, he can’t explain how he works his magic, although he does liken it to shamanic conjuring. He makes no secret that he spends most of his time gabbing with his subject — he’s curious about everyone. Sometimes, the chatter is a seduction; occasionally, it becomes good-naturedly pugilistic. And then, in mere moments, the individual is sized and seized by his camera.
Browse David Bailey's revolutionary portraiture and fashion photography on 1stDibs.
David Bailey Sumo, Signed, Limited Edition Book with Marc Newson Stand
By TASCHEN, Marc Newson, David Bailey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The David Bailey SUMO. Over 300 of the greatest portraits of our time, printed big and bold. In 1965, portrait and fashion photographer David Bailey released his groundbreaking boo...
Aluminum
Vogue Magazine September 1963 Framed Cover
By David Bailey
Located in Stamford, CT
Vogue September 1963 framed original cover. Model Brigitte Bauer photographed by David Bailey. As found framed condition in gold wood frame.
Glass, Wood, Paper
George Platt Lynes Original B&W Fashion Photograph from Vogue Magazine
By George Platt Lynes
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This silver gelatin photograph was printed in New York City in the 1990s from the original negative. George Platt Lynes (1907 to 1955) was a legenda...
Other
School Wall Chart, Valletta, Fortress and Harbour
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This poster with a photo of the city Valletta (Malta) was produced by Europa et Schola Edition and used in schools for cultural education. Foto: Government Tourist Board, Malta; H...
Paper
19th Century Hand Carved Stand with Marble Top
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautifully carved hardwood square stand with marble top. Carved rosewood with a figurative rouge marble top with lower shelf. Perfect accent piece or for use as a stand for sculpture...
Marble
Marc Bankowsky, Plaster Pedestal, France, 2008
By Marc Bankowsky
Located in New York, NY
Freestanding contemporary polyester plaster pedestal by Marc Bankowsky. Marc studied at L’école Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD) and at The Ecole Nationale Supérieur...
Plaster
David Hockney Images and Thoughts for Vogue magazine
By David Hockney
Located in New York, NY
Poster in 1985 created for the exhibition "David Hockney Images and thoughts for Vogue magazine" for the Galerie Claude Bernard in Paris. It promoted the work that the artist created...
Aluminum
Framed Vintage Life-Size Marilyn Monroe Pin-Up Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
A super fun vintage framed life-size pin-up poster of a young Marilyn Monroe in a red and white striped bikini and showing her Classic shining smile.
Paper
$5,850
H 57 in W 17 in D 17 in
Neo-Gothic 19th Century Octagonal Pedestal / Stand / Architectural Model
Located in Troy, NY
An unusual pedestal of octagonal Neo-Gothic form, the molded base supporting eight shaped and carved columns decorated with typical Gothic designs, topped by eight spikes surrounding...
Oak
English Mahogany Shaving Stand/Plant Stand
Located in Woodbury, CT
The upper tier of this shaving stand originally would have had an open ring that supported a bowl. It has since been filled with a fine mahogany board, offering the opportunity to pl...
Mahogany
$3,495
H 44.5 in W 13.4 in D 13.4 in
Antique Carved Oak Church, Gothic Revival Studio Easel Display Stand or Pedestal
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique Gothic Revival two shelf sculpture stand with a beautiful patina. This impressive and adjustable Gothic stand dates from circa 1890. To find this rare and sizeable antique mo...
Wood, Oak
Occasional Table by Maurice Bailey for Monteverdi Young
By Monteverdi-Young, Maurice Bailey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round occasional table by Maurice Bailey for Monteverdi Young. This piece would be perfect as a large entry way table for a foyer or a game table. The walnut top showcases a beautifu...
Walnut
$259Sale Price|24% Off
H 23.75 in W 19.75 in D 0.75 in
Art Deco Fortune Magazine Cover, September 1930
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a fabulous original Art Deco fortune magazine cover, September 1930. The cover of Fortune Magazine for September 1930, fr...
Paper
$975
H 14 in W 11 in D 1 in
George Platt Lynes Original B&W Fashion Photograph Portrait, Vogue Magazine
By George Platt Lynes
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This silver gelatin photograph was printed in New York City in the 1990s from the original negative. George Platt Lynes (1907 to 1955) was a legenda...
Other
Box of Pin-Ups 1965, Rare First Edition David Bailey Portfolio
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
An iconic work that propelled David Bailey's career and stands as the greatest photographic representation of the Swinging Sixties. This seminal collection of portraits by Bailey, printed in 1965, is the most iconic representation of the Swinging Sixties. The subjects, the most famous faces of the time, range from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Royalty, aristocrats on to film stars, The Kray Twins...
Paper
David Bailey Sumo, Signed, Limited Edition Book with Marc Newson Stand
By David Bailey, TASCHEN, Marc Newson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The David Bailey SUMO. Over 300 of the greatest portraits of our time, printed big and bold. In 1965, portrait and fashion photographer David Bailey released his groundbreaking...
Aluminum
Her Majesty, a Photographic History 1926–Today, XL Book
By David Bailey, TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the Queen The public and private life of the world’s most famous monarch Born in 1926, married in 1947, crowned as Queen in 1953, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has carried out her duty for more than six decades. TASCHEN celebrates her remarkable royal story with a new edition of Her Majesty, a definitive photographic collection of her public and private life. Brimming with history, tradition, glamour, and culture, the book spans the Queen’s early years right through to her most recent state tours and ceremonies. Along the way, we trace her coming of age during World War II; her marriage, motherhood, and coronation; her encounters with such icons of their age as the Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, and JFK; and her extensive international travels. We visit the spectacular royal palaces and enjoy the infectious celebration of royal weddings and jubilees. We witness the elegance of official portraits, and the tenderness and humor of informal and family moments. As much a showcase of top photographers as a royal celebration, Her Majesty includes the work of such luminaries as Cecil Beaton, Studio Lisa, Dorothy Wilding...
Paper
David Bailey, Black and White Memories 1st edition 1983
By David Bailey
Located in CA, CA
David Bailey Black and White Memories Published by J M Dent & Sons Ltd, London, 1983. 1st Edition. A wonderful and iconic photography book showin...
Paper
David Bailey "Beady Minces" Book, 1973
By David Bailey
Located in CA, CA
First edition, published by Mathews Miller Dunbar/Bailey Co-Production, 1973. Beady Minces compiles many of Bailey’s remarkable photographs taken from all around the world between 1957 and 1973. In his introduction, Terence Donovan writes; “David Bailey manages to react to the most normal things in an abnormal and interesting manner”, a sentence that more than aptly connects the curious variety of subject matter presented in this book. Even the choice of coupled photographs...
"David Bailey & Anjelica Huston – Is That So Kid" Book, Signed
By David Bailey, Anjelica Huston
Located in CA, CA
Signed first edition, published by Steidl, 2014. Anjelica Huston's indefinable cinematic look, that's what happens when an icon photographs an icon....
"David Bailey – Bailey NW1, " Book 1982
By David Bailey
Located in CA, CA
First edition, published by J. M. Dent & Sons, 1982. Hands down the best David Bailey book cover, and a bloody good book as well. Bailey’s urban landscapes photographed around Lon...
David Bailey - NY JS DB 62, Signed
By David Bailey
Located in CA, CA
Signed first edition, published by Steidl, 2007. NY JS DB 62 compiles photographs taken by David Bailey, one of the most successful British fashion and portrait photographers of h...
David Bailey – Havana 'Signed'
By David Bailey
Located in CA, CA
First edition, published by Steidl, 2006. Through a life-long quest to photograph Fidel Castro, and a realization that he never would, David Bailey explores the streets of Cuba’s ...
David Bailey & Peter Evans – Goodbye Baby & Amen 1969
By David Bailey, David Bailey and Peter Evans 1
Located in CA, CA
First edition, published by Condé Nast/Collins, 1969. Goodbye Baby & Amen, A Saraband For The Sixties. This remarkable monograph encompasses the utopia and success of the 1960s through the work of the most iconic photographer of the era. Peter Evans...
Rolling Stones: Art Edition A
By TASCHEN, David Bailey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Edition No. 1-75 by David Bailey Mick Jagger (1973) Book and signed pigment print. 20 x 14 in. $ 20,000 A historic SUMO-size edition of 1600 copies. Signed by Mick, Keit...