During her 20 years as editor of Vogue, Alexandra Shulman has worked
with fashion's finest photographers, stylists and models. Here she
exclusively reveals her ultimate edit - her all-time favourite 10 Vogue
pictures.
5. Paolo Roversi - April 2005
Paolo Roversi has been one of my favourite photographers for years, long before I worked with him on Vogue. The softness makes him able to photograph extreme looks without them seeming ridiculous, as in the heavy make-up on Lily Cole.
Paolo Roversi has been one of my favourite photographers for years, long before I worked with him on Vogue. The softness makes him able to photograph extreme looks without them seeming ridiculous, as in the heavy make-up on Lily Cole.
9. Tim Gutt - December 2010
We did the Christmas issue on the theme of stars and I wanted to commission a fashion shoot of the star signs. Shona Heath, the set designer, worked with photographer Tim Gutt on this, and the oversized wool jumper is such a clever sideways reference to Aries the ram.
We did the Christmas issue on the theme of stars and I wanted to commission a fashion shoot of the star signs. Shona Heath, the set designer, worked with photographer Tim Gutt on this, and the oversized wool jumper is such a clever sideways reference to Aries the ram.
8. Javier Vallhonrat - February 2008
Javier Vallhonrat is a terrific colourist and there is something entrancing about this very still figure. Its success is due to the sum of the parts - the swimming pool feel, with the crystal of the bracelet and the purse, the neon necklace, the high heels and the shocking pink cap. Take away one aspect and it would not work nearly so well. It shows the skill of Vogue's fashion director, Lucinda Chambers.
Javier Vallhonrat is a terrific colourist and there is something entrancing about this very still figure. Its success is due to the sum of the parts - the swimming pool feel, with the crystal of the bracelet and the purse, the neon necklace, the high heels and the shocking pink cap. Take away one aspect and it would not work nearly so well. It shows the skill of Vogue's fashion director, Lucinda Chambers.
2. Norbert Schoerner - January 2005
This fashion story by Norbert Schoerner was shot on the Trans-Siberian Express. There was only a five-minute opportunity to get out of the train and get the picture before the sun went down in Novosibirsk. The model must have been all dressed in her Alaïa and Louis Vuitton - and then jumped out.
This fashion story by Norbert Schoerner was shot on the Trans-Siberian Express. There was only a five-minute opportunity to get out of the train and get the picture before the sun went down in Novosibirsk. The model must have been all dressed in her Alaïa and Louis Vuitton - and then jumped out.
4. Tim Walker - July 2005
It was hard to choose which image I liked best out of this Tim Walker shoot in India, but I decided this was my favourite because at first you don't see Lily Cole standing up there on the cabinet. She is just another part of the general detritus and collapsed grandeur.
It was hard to choose which image I liked best out of this Tim Walker shoot in India, but I decided this was my favourite because at first you don't see Lily Cole standing up there on the cabinet. She is just another part of the general detritus and collapsed grandeur.
3. Nick Knight - May 1995
Nick Knight's impressionist photograph of Amber Valetta and Shalom Harlow in the Caribbean has a timeless, classic appeal and is almost painterly. The girls' foreheads touching, and the space between their faces is what makes it so beautiful.
Nick Knight's impressionist photograph of Amber Valetta and Shalom Harlow in the Caribbean has a timeless, classic appeal and is almost painterly. The girls' foreheads touching, and the space between their faces is what makes it so beautiful.
10. Patrick Demarchelier - May 2008
Patrick Demarchelier has photographed in almost every country for Vogue. The unlikely garb of Jessica Stam as she stands among those pecking birds, with the Moroccan city of Essaouira as a backdrop, is very memorable.
Patrick Demarchelier has photographed in almost every country for Vogue. The unlikely garb of Jessica Stam as she stands among those pecking birds, with the Moroccan city of Essaouira as a backdrop, is very memorable.
7. Tom Craig - November 2008
My favourite pictures tend to be location shoots and I admire Tom Craig's work, which is wonderful at capturing place and the moment. He works like an old-fashioned photographer, in the days before everything was digitally compiled. Here at Lake Balaton in Hungary the clothes are almost incidental, but the mood of the whole shoot is old-time Eastern Bloc.
My favourite pictures tend to be location shoots and I admire Tom Craig's work, which is wonderful at capturing place and the moment. He works like an old-fashioned photographer, in the days before everything was digitally compiled. Here at Lake Balaton in Hungary the clothes are almost incidental, but the mood of the whole shoot is old-time Eastern Bloc.
1. Corinne Day - December 2000
Corinne Day shot many pictures of Kate Moss for us, including the infamous underwear shoot. I particularly love this one, where Kate looks so relaxed and happy.
Corinne Day shot many pictures of Kate Moss for us, including the infamous underwear shoot. I particularly love this one, where Kate looks so relaxed and happy.
6. Mario Testino - September 2011
Mario Testino shot this in Antwerp last year. It's a perfect example of fashion photography when it references art but doesn't try to copy it. You can see the Flemish painters in there, but it is so contemporary. I would normally dislike such severe costume in the magazine, but in this instance I love it.
Mario Testino shot this in Antwerp last year. It's a perfect example of fashion photography when it references art but doesn't try to copy it. You can see the Flemish painters in there, but it is so contemporary. I would normally dislike such severe costume in the magazine, but in this instance I love it.
