Credit: Alamy
Jean Shrimpton was a pioneer of the modern supermodel throughout the 1960s. Her influence has remained clear from her initial beginnings in the modelling industry up until the present day. Often referred to as one of the world’s first supermodels, she worked with designers such as Mary Quant and with publications, such as Vogue, and many more throughout her expansive career.
Credit: Alamy
Shrimpton reshaped the modelling industry in a multitude of ways, one of them included working with photographer David Bailey. Their work launched a world of fashion photography outside of the studio with Jean posing against gritty backdrops and on the street; a stark contrast to the stuffy studios of past decades. Bailey said of this work with Shrimpton “I think we created each other”. Jean’s work blurred the divide between upper and working-class people in the context of fashion and popular culture in the 1960s bringing a youthful perspective to fashion and fashion to the masses.
Jean Shrimpton popularised mod style from the early 1960s and brought a youth-centered and fun yet glamourous angle to leading publications of the time with her influence remaining prevalent into the 21st century.
