An iconic figure in fashion photography, Gilles Bensimon has shaped a luminous and sensual vision of women through countless photographs over four decades. From his work at Elle magazine to collaborations with the world's greatest fashion designers, his artistic legacy is now being showcased in an unprecedented exhibition organized by gallerist Oana Ivan, running through October 11, 2025.

Bensimon has been capturing the essence of fashion and the women who embody it for more than four decades with his distinctive free-spirited and joyful approach. He joined the French team at Elle magazine in 1967 and later played a pivotal role in launching the American edition in the mid-1980s. His photographic style consistently demonstrates mastery in both color and black-and-white photography, infusing his work with light, freshness, and grace.

The relationship between the gallerist and photographer was established over fifteen years ago. Oana Ivan founded Frame/Book/Magazine in 2014, and Bensimon regularly contributed his photographic vision to its pages. Their collaborative photo shoots, spanning locations from Cuba to Mexico, showcase the photographer's exceptional talent for capturing natural beauty and spontaneous moments.

Bensimon's artistic vision presents women as free-spirited individuals who embrace life fully, far removed from cold glossy magazine imagery or the aesthetic representation of disembodied forms. His subjects have included supermodels Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Gisele Bündchen, as well as more recent collaborations with Hailey Bieber. As Bensimon himself explains, his photographs are "timeless, yet they also capture something of the moment."

As an admirer and portraitist of feminine beauty, Bensimon naturally became close friends with the era's greatest fashion designers. His artistic journey has been marked by significant encounters with Karl Lagerfeld and Azzedine Alaïa. Beyond fashion models, celebrities including Tina Turner, Madonna, and Charlize Theron have also posed for his camera, demonstrating the breadth of his artistic influence.

Beyond fashion photography, Bensimon's work represents sensitive and intimate photography that explores light and texture. His artistic expression extends beyond traditional photography, incorporating drawing and collage techniques. This multifaceted approach reveals an artist who continuously pushes creative boundaries while maintaining his distinctive aesthetic vision.

The newly opened gallery of his friend Oana, which inaugurated in January 2025, brings together approximately fifty photographs taken between 1986 and 2021. The exhibition features both well-known images from fashion magazines and more intimate, previously unseen works. Visitors can experience a unique perspective by looking through the eyes of women who became muses to the most talented artists of their era, among whom Gilles Bensimon holds a distinguished position.

The retrospective exhibition is currently on display at Oana Ivan Gallery, located at 93 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM, with free admission for all visitors interested in exploring four decades of influential fashion photography.