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 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 boo...
Aluminum
$3,321
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
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
Old Colony Furniture Co. Plant Stand Pedestal With Copper Liner
By Old Colony Furniture
Located in West Chester, PA
Gorgeous plant stand pedestal with 13" diameter copper liner. Old Colony Furniture Co. tag on underside. Top quality as one would expect from Old Colony.
Copper
Occasional Table by Maurice Bailey for Monteverdi Young
By Maurice Bailey, Monteverdi-Young
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
Brazilian Modern Handcrafted Studio Sculpture Stand Signed
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in San Diego, CA
Brazilian Modern handcrafted studio sculpture stand. Doweled joinery. Signed with maker's initials, with studio tag. 1970s.
Rosewood
$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
Chinese Tiered Stand with Inset Rose Marble Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique stone-inlaid Chinese stand with two tiers enhanced by open work and hand carved motifs, indicative to these pieces, such as the scroll, ornamental vines and greek key and ...
Stone
A Chinese Carved Wood Display Stand with Inset Stone Top
Located in Chicago, IL
An elegant Chinese display stand featuring a pale stone inset top and an intricately carved wooden base with a rich, dark lacquered patina. The decorative apron features finely carve...
Elm
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
Resin Imitation Wooden Stand with Antique Style Finish
Located in Marbella, ES
Resin Imitation wooden stand with antique style Finish.
Resin
Pair Signed Sterling Bronze Company Bronze and Marble Torchere Stands
By Sterling Bronze Co.
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of stands, or gueridon are wired and could be used with lamps, gerandoles, or candelabra. They would also be useful used as pedestals for art objects, plants, or f...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Spanish Hand Painted Wooden Stand with Marbled Effect
Located in Marbella, ES
Spanish Hand Painted wooden stand with marbled effect.
Wood
$3,302
H 53 in Dm 15.6 in
Large Gothic Revival Church Display Pedestal, Column with Hand Carved Symbolism
Located in Lisse, NL
"I am the Alpha and the Omega", from the Book of Revelation. If you collect unique ecclesiastical antiques in the Gothic Style then this meaningful and all hand-crafted column-pedes...
Oak
Antique Oak Plant Stand with Decorative Turned Legs, circa 1930
Located in Lisse, NL
Elegant and beautifully proportioned oak plant stand, handcrafted in Europe around 1930. Its tall, slender form is distinguished by three elaborately turned legs, connected by match...
Oak
David Bailey Sumo, Signed, Limited Edition Book with Marc Newson Stand
By David Bailey, Marc Newson, TASCHEN
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
David Bailey Sumo, Signed, Limited Edition Book with Marc Newson Stand
By David Bailey, Marc Newson, TASCHEN
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