American photographer Slim Aarons captured the 20th century’s international jet set — U.S. socialites, European royalty, Hollywood stars — at play in sun-kissed locales like Monaco, Saint-Tropez and Palm Beach, as well as other luxurious settings around the globe.
Committed to eschewing makeup and artificial lighting, Aarons created images that are at once candid and polished, combining the relaxed posture of his subjects, who trusted him to document their lives, with the visual sharpness of a seasoned art director. Having gotten his start taking pictures for the U.S. military magazine Yank during World War II, he contributed over the course of his career to Life, Town and Country and Holiday magazines and published several books.
Aarons was born in Manhattan in 1916. He joined the army at 18, shooting military maneuvers at West Point before serving as a combat photographer, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. After the war, he moved to California and began snapping socialites and movie stars.
In the 1950s, Aarons opened a bureau for Life magazine in Rome, where he took pictures capturing the postwar scene. He was always able to win the trust of his elite subjects, who saw him as close to a peer, rather than a paparazzo.
In a 2002 interview with The Independent, Aarons remarked, ''I knew everyone. They would invite me to one of their parties because they knew I wouldn't hurt them. I was one of them.'' This access allowed him to document the rich and famous with their guard down, reading newspapers and magazines, talking on the phone, relaxing by the pool, and chatting with friends. The 1957 photograph The Kings of Hollywood, for example, which won him wide acclaim, shows Clark Gable, Van Heflin, Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart laughing together as they celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Many of Aarons’s best-known images involve games and sports. In the 1972 Poolside Backgammon, two young women play the board game of the title against the backdrop of a majestic Acapulco estate. In 1958’s Cannes Watersports, a couple attempts to glide across the Golfe de la Napoule on Jet Skis, one expertly and one hanging on for dear life. And in Penthouse Pool, shot in Athens in 1961, a young woman wearing a yellow bathing cap smiles coyly at the camera, surrounded by friends and brightly colored seat cushions, with the Acropolis faintly visible in the background.
Among Aarons’s books are 1974’s A Wonderful Time: An Intimate Portrait of the Good Life, and its 2003 sequel, Once Upon a Time. His final book, A Place in the Sun, was published in 2005, one year before his death.
Find a collection of vintage Slim Aarons photography on 1stDibs.
Majorelle Garden, Marrakesh, Morocco - Limited Edition Estate Stamped C-Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Majorelle Garden, Marrakesh is a Limited Edition Estate Stamped Digital C-Type Print by 20th Century American Photographer Slim Aarons. 16" x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamp...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Chateau Saint-Martin, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features an outdoor luncheon by the swimming pool of the Chateau Saint-Martin, a luxury hotel in Vence on the Co...
Lambda
$4,200
Saint-Tropez, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features two young women, one wearing a kaftan, stepping onto a yacht on the waterfront at Saint-Tropez, Franc...
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Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1960s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features holidaymakers in a motorboat off the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes on the French Riviera. This is ...
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The Mason's Estate, Kenya - Limited Edition Estate Stamped C-Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
The Mason's Estate, Kenya is a Limited Edition Estate Stamped Digital C-Type Print by 20th Century American Photographer Slim Aarons. 16" x 16" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
$1,800
French Holiday, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1960s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features holidaymakers in France in August 1969. This is an estate-stamped and hand-numbered edition of 150 wi...
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Sunbathing in Venice, 1954 - Venetian Nude Sunbathing in Vintage Italian Fashion
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Sunbathing in Venice, 1954 - Venetian Sunbathing in Vintage Italian Fashion by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped C-Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. A...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Sunbathing Antibes, 1976 - Hotel du Cap Eden Roc French Riviera Nude
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Sunbathing Antibes, 1976 - Hotel du Cap Eden Roc French Riviera Nude by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped C-Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. Sunbathin...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Portofino Villa, Italy, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features guests by the pool at Klaus Pudel's villa, the Casa Montefino, overlooking Portofino harbour, Portofin...
Lambda
$1,800
Cannes Watersports, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1950s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features holidaymakers waterskiing from the pier of the Carlton Hotel, Cannes. This is an estate-stamped an...
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Palm Springs Riders, 1970 - Desert Landscapes in Southern California Hills
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Palm Springs Riders, 1970 - Desert Landscapes in Southern California Hills 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Digital C-Type print. Edition of 150. Printed Later....
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Poolside Party - Limited Slim Aarons Estate Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Slim Aarons Estate Limited Edition C print 40 x 30 inches / 101 x 76 cm unframed. ' Poolside Party ' A poolside party at a desert house, designed by Richard Neutra for Edgar J. K...
C Print, Color
Capri Holiday, 1958 - Snorkelling off Coast of Capri Island in Crystal Waters
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Capri Holiday, 1958 - Snorkelling off Coast of Capri Island in Crystal Waters by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. 'C...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Sunbathing in Capri, 1974 - Sunbathers on French Island of Capri Summer Bronzing
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Sunbathing in Capri, 1974 - Sunbathers on French Island of Capri Summer Bronzing by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. ...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Palm Beach Pastels Slim Aarons Estate Stamped Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Palm Beach Pastels 1959 by Slim Aarons Slim Aarons Limited Estate Edition Socialite Alice Topping relaxing by a swimming pool in Palm Beach, Florida, 1959. unframed c type pr...
Archival Pigment
Corsica Island Paradise, 1984, Slim Aarons Estate Limited Edition Print ED.150
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
August 1984: Topless swimmers on a rocky promontory of the Mediterranean island of Cavallo, Corsica. Slim Aarons Island Paradise 1984 C print (Printed l...
C Print
Speedboat Landing Slim Aarons Limited Estate Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Speedboat Landing A Magnum motorboat belonging to Count Filippo Theodoli arrives at the private jetty of the Il Pellicano Hotel in Porto Ercole, Italy, August 1973. Gorgeous print ...
Color, Archival Pigment
Catherine Wilke, 1980 - Bronze Model Poses Drinking Cocktail by Sunbathers
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Catherine Wilke, 1980 - Bronze Model Poses Drinking Cocktail by Sunbathers by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Premium Collection Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Pr...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Saint Tropez Beach - Topless Sunbathing Nude Portrait French Riviera Beaches
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Saint Tropez Beach - Topless Sunbathing Nude Portrait French Riviera Beaches by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. E...
Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital
Slim Aarons, 'Natale Rusconi' Midcentury Modern Photography
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
Natale Rusconi riding a Hotel Cipriani motor launch with the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore on San Giorgio Maggiore island beyond, in Venice, Italy, in September 1978. Slim Aarons ...
C Print
Marbella Club Slim Aarons Estate Stamped Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Marbella Club The swimming pool of the Marbella Club in Andalucia looks out over the sea, 1976 16 × 16 inches - paper size Estate Stamped Collection Edition to 150 Photo by Sl...
Archival Pigment, Color
Sunbathing On Capri - Slim Aarons - 20th century colour photography Oversize
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
'Sunbathing On Capri' by Slim Aarons Huge Oversize 72 x 48 inches / 183 x 122 cm paper size Catherine Wilke joins the topless sunbathers - along with Elisabetta Catalano, Charlotte...
C Print
Snowmass Village, Colorado, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late 1960s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features women in colourful hats at an apres ski party in Snowmass Village, in Pitkin County, Colorado, in M...
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Hotel De Paris In Monaco, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features the entrance to the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, Monaco. This is an estate-stamped and hand-numbered...
Lambda
$4,900
Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc -Slim Aarons - colour C print photography - 20th century
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
'Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc' by Slim Aarons ESTATE EDITION - numbered and emboss stamped on front. (edition size 150 only) Waterskiing from the Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes, ...
C Print
'Dinner Jazz' 1949 Slim Aarons Limited Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
'Dinner Jazz' 1949: American Jazz trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong (1898 – 1971) enjoys a plate of spaghetti in Rome. 30x30 inches / 76 x 76 cm paper size Estate Stamped Co...
Silver Gelatin, Black and White
CZ’s House Beach Slim Aarons Estate Stamped Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
CZ’s House 1955 by Slim Aarons Slim Aarons Limited Estate Edition 1955: Mrs F C Winston Guest (1920 – 2003) (aka Cee Zee Guest) reclines on a garden chair in front of the Grecian ...
Archival Pigment
'Golfing Pals' (1977) - Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Golfing Pals (1977) - Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print (Photo By Slim Aarons) At the 16th hole on Pebble Beach golf course, singer and film star Bi...
Color, C Print
$4,200
Slim Aarons 'Pool By The Sea' 1985 Official Limited Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
'Pool By The Sea' A swimming pool and lounge deck over the sea at Angra Dos Reis, Brazil, 1985. 40 x 30" inches / 101 x 76 cm paper size Estate Stamped Collection Edition to 1...
Archival Pigment
Caleta Beach, Acapulco, Estate Edition, Landscape Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late 1960s landscape photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a couple walking on Caleta Beach holding hands, Acapulco, Mexico, 1968. This is an esta...
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Tennis in The Bahamas, 1957 - Tennis Players Socialise after Tennis Match in Sun
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Tennis in The Bahamas, 1957 - Tennis Players Socialise after Tennis Match in Sun by Slim Aarons 16 x 16" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. ...
Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital
Slim Aarons 'Jean Serpieri' Official Limited Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
'Jean Serpieri' Madame Jean Serpieri sits in the ballroom of the Tour La Reine near Athens, wearing a gown that belonged to the wife of Otto, the first king of modern Greece, Decem...
Archival Pigment
$1,800
Palm Beach Idyll, Florida, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a couple sunbathing by the sea at Palm Beach, Florida. This is an estate stamped and hand ...
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Guests At The Hotel Bel-Air, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1990s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features guests by the swimming pool on a terrace at the Hotel Bel-Air on Cap Ferrat on the Côte d'Azur, so...
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Saint-Tropez Beach Estate Edition Photograph, French Riviera
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Slim Aarons' Saint-Tropez Beach, an Estate Edition photograph, is a vintage scene of sunbathers on the French Riviera, August 1971. Colorful coral red an...
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Milan Cathedral (1960) Limited Estate Stamped - Giant
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Milan Cathedral (1960) Limited Estate Stamped (Photo By Slim Aarons) The duomo or cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo, Milan, 1960. Additional Information: Unframed Paper Size:...
Color, Archival Pigment
Catch Up by the Pool, California, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features former fashion model Helen Dzo Dzo Kaptur (in white lace), Nelda Linsk (in yellow), wife of art deale...
Lambda
$3,000
Social Call, Mexico, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1970s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Charley Weaver at the Las Brisas resort in Acapulco, Mexico. This is an estate-stamped and hand-n...
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Sea Drive, Nassau, Estate Edition Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1960s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features film producer Kevin McClory taking his wife Bobo Sigrist and their family for a drive in an 'Amphica...
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Palm Beach Ladies Slim Aarons Limited Estate Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
'Palm Beach Ladies' 1964 Slim Aarons Limited Estate Edition Print American socialite Wendy Vanderbilt (right) and another woman wearing Lilly Pulitzer ...
Color, Archival Pigment
Catch Up by the Pool, California, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features former fashion model Helen Dzo Dzo Kaptur (in white lace), Nelda Linsk (in yellow), wife of art deale...
Lambda
$5,400
Saint-Tropez Boucherie, French Riviera, Estate Edition Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the quintessence of French Riviera charm in Slim Aarons' iconic photograph, 'Saint-Tropez Boucherie,' on Rue des Commercants, Saint-Tropez, 1971. This image is a beautiful intersection of fashion, culture, and everyday life in the sun-drenched streets of Saint-Tropez in August 1971. This photograph features a casual yet captivating scene: two women and a young girl, all dressed in vibrant, vintage early '70s attire in shades of mint green, lemon yellow, and pink, enjoying a leisurely conversation outside a classic red French boucherie or butcher shop. A chic gold and white bicycle, representative of the laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle, is parked unassumingly on the sidewalk. Adding depth to the scene, the shop's proprietor, clad in a purple shirt, can be spotted through the window, lending an authentic touch to the photograph. An enchanting Moroccan-style zellige tile...
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Cortina d'Ampezzo Fashion
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
Isa Genolini and Maria Antonia in the main street of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, March 1982. Cortina d'Ampezzo Fashion 1972 c print Estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 wi...
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Saint-Tropez Beach
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The beach at Saint-Tropez, on the French Riviera, August 1971. 30 x 40 inches $3350 20 x 30 inches $3000 20 x 24 inches $2500 10 x 12 inches $1350 Complimentary dealer shipping ...
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Cafe Terrace In Nice Slim Aarons Estate Stamped Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Cafe Terrace In Nice 1957 by Slim Aarons Slim Aarons Limited Estate Edition Holidaymakers on a cafe terrace in Nice on the French Riviera, 1957. unfra...
Archival Pigment
Eye Of The Beholder, Italy, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a man contemplating the sunbathers by a swimming pool at the Hotel Punta Tragara on the island of Capri...
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Westin Excelsior, Lido in Venice, 1957 - Venetian Gondolas in Canals in Italy
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Westin Excelsior, Lido in Venice, 1957 - Venetian Gondolas in Canals in Italy by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. We...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Poolside Catwalk, California, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features former fashion model Helen Dzo Dzo Kaptur (in white lace) and Nelda Linsk (in yellow), wife of art dealer J...
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Sunbathing in Capri, Catherine Wilke, 1980 Slim Aarons Estate Limited Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
Catherine Wilke joins the topless sunbathers – along with Elisabetta Catalano, Charlotte Ticken and Pamela Grupas – on the island of Capri, Italy, in August 1980. Sunbathing in Capr...
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Poolside Friendship, Palm Springs, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970 portrait photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Nelda Linsk (left, in yellow), wife of art dealer Joseph Linsk with guests by the pool at the Li...
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Bahamas Speed Week, Nassau, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1960s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Gordon Butler's Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray at the Bahamas Speed Week at the Oakes Course, Nassau. ...
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'George Hamilton' 1977 Slim Aarons Limited Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
'George Hamilton' American actor George Hamilton holidays in Saint-Tropez, on the French Riviera, August 1977. Paper Size 24x20 inches / 60 x 50 cm Estate Stamped Collection E...
Color, Archival Pigment
Mill Reef Club, Antigua, 1960 (Unseen)
By Slim Aarons
Located in New York, NY
The beach club at at the Mill Reef Club on Antigua in the West Indies, 1960. Mill Reef Beach Club, Antigua 1960 C print (Printed later) Estate signature stamped and hand numbered ed...
C Print
Britt Ekland, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Film star Britt Ekland (Britt-Marie Eklund) in Porto Ercole, Italy. Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity included Numbered and stampe...
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Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features guests around the swimming pool at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, in Antibes on the French Riviera. This ...
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Slim Aarons "Keep Your Cool" Unframed Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Keep Your Cool Carmen Alvarez enjoying a game of backgammon with Frank ‘Brandy’ Brandstetter in a swimming pool at Acapulco, 1978. (Photo by Slim Aarons) Unframed (Premium Collect...
Archival Pigment
Carlton Hotel, 1958 - Carlton Hotel Canne French Riviera South of France
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Carlton Hotel, 1958 - Carlton Hotel Canne French Riviera South of France by Slim Aarons 16" x 16" print on 16" x 20" paper. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Pri...
Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital
Backgammon by the Pool, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Women playing backgammon while sunbathing at the Habitation Leclerc pool, January 1975 Over the course of a career lasting half a century, Slim Aarons (1916-2006) portrayed high society, aristocracy, authors, artists, business icons, the celebrated and their milieu. In doing so, he captured a golden age of wealth, privilege, beauty and leisure, a history of glamour that occurred alongside—but quite separate from—the cultural and political backdrop of the second half of the Twentieth Century. Increasingly known for his influence, Aarons's casually glamorous jetset aesthetic can be seen today in fashion, art, and celebrity photography. Recent articles credit his work with inspiring the casually flawless style of top Instagram influencers, full of sunshine and escapism. Reference: "Dive in: how Slim Aarons art directed the poolside summer. French brand Maje are the latest label to take inspiration from Slim Aarons’ pictures of the jetset on holiday." Slim Aarons Backgammon by the pool...
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Slim Aarons, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Photographer Slim Aarons (right) on board a yacht off Capri, Italy, September 1968. Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Certificate of Authenticity...
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Garden Party Huge Oversize Slim Aarons Limited Estate Stamped Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Garden Party. An elegant garden party in Miami, Florida, 1970. Huge oversize 60 x 60" inches / 152 x 152 cm paper size Estate Stamped Collection Edition to 150 Photo by Slim Aaro...
Archival Pigment