The fashion photography world is celebrating the extraordinary legacy of Gian Paolo Barbieri with the first major exhibition since the legendary Italian photographer's death last December. "Eternal Elegance – The Timeless Photography of Gian Paolo Barbieri" will showcase the master's most iconic works during Milan Fashion Week, running from September 25, 2025, through January 15, 2026.
Barbieri, widely recognized as one of Italy's greatest fashion photographers, passed away after a prolonged illness, leaving behind an unparalleled body of work that defined six decades of fashion photography. The photographer gained prominence for creating the first cover of Vogue Italia and became renowned for his exceptional ability to capture beauty, composition, and cinematic vision that elevated Italian fashion to an art form.
The exhibition, created in collaboration with Milan-based gallery 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS, will feature Barbieri's most celebrated images alongside previously unseen photographs spanning from the 1960s to the 2000s. Among the highlights is his famous black-and-white photograph of Italian actress Monica Bellucci smoking a cigarette while wearing a sheer Dolce & Gabbana dress, captured in 2000. The show will also display several never-before-seen works discovered through extensive research within the artist's archive.
Throughout his illustrious career, Barbieri photographed some of the most iconic figures in fashion and entertainment, including Audrey Hepburn, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Donatella Versace. His images not only conveyed the elegance and allure of his subjects but also captured the very essence of Italian fashion sophistication. Notable works in the exhibition include his 1969 portrait of Audrey Hepburn in Valentino for Vogue Italia Roma, his 1988 photograph of Christy Turlington in Yves Saint Laurent in Paris, and his 1993 capture of Yasmeen Ghauri for Gianfranco Ferré in the Seychelles.
The exhibition is being curated by 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS Gallery, which served as Barbieri's long-standing global representatives. The show will be presented at the new headquarters and art space of Zurich Italy and Zurich Bank, located at 11 Via Santa Margherita in Milan. Entry to the exhibition is completely free, and visitors can view the collection Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, making this tribute accessible to fashion photography enthusiasts and the general public alike.
