TFG Exclusive: Off the Grid

The summer days have kept us busy here at TFG and we apologize for the scant posting. Nevertheless, we are coming back in full swing with our new series "Off the Grid," where we go off-line and take to the streets to bring our readers coverage of a mixed assortment of fashion related excursions, events, interviews, and street style. Our first "Off the Grid" post will be dedicated to my visit at the Getty Center for the Herb Ritts: LA Style exhibit with a dear friend, Kristin.

A former employee of the Getty Center, Kristin was the perfect companion for this particular visit and has in general become my recent museum buddy, as we both share an interest in art and fashion. It was a beautiful sunny day and the ocean views from the hilltop architectural modernist campus designed by Richard Meier reminded me why I'm such a proud Angeleno.

After feasting on delicious crab cakes and Cobb salads at what was plainly called "The Restaurant," we made our way to the space marked by the famed photographer's signature crisp, black-and-white photographs. 

There they were, the iconic images of the Amazonian supermodels that shaped the 90s fashion industry, reminding me of what a profilic photographer Ritts was and how his work truly helped define the standard of beauty at the time.

Known for his clean lines and strong forms, Ritts's style of photography made subjects like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Stephanie Seymour, and Christy Turlington achieve an almost sculpture-like perfection. 

Other signature features of Ritts's work include heavy shadows, contrasting textures, defined features, and architectural elements. Aside from his fame as a fashion and commercial photographer, he was more interested in the human form than the clothes themselves, modernizing the nude while maintaining its classic simplicity. Nevertheless, Ritts's distinct style enabled him to successfully bridge the gap between art and commerce. 

I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that the famed photographer produced three of the most memorable music videos of all time- Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game,"Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do Without You," and Madonna's "Cherish."

Ritts seamlessly translated his style of photography into these videos, shaping the look and feel by bringing a personal connection to the subject while simultaneously capturing their iconic essence. 

The exhibit only solidified my belief in the power of photography- even fashion photography. It can shape pop culture and leave an indelible impression on a society. It captures a particular time period while simultaneously transcending it. 

I left the exhibit with a purchase of Herb Ritts: LA Style to add to my collection of art and fashion coffee-table books. It contains all the images from the exhibit and can be purchased here. To learn more about the famed photographer and his work, click here.