Heroines (French Edition) [Hardcover]

Bettina Rheims (Author), Catherine Millet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2007

How do women feel in haute couture? Héroïnes, Bettina Rheims' 2005 photo series of 50 women sporting the newest Parisian haute couture creations provides answers that range from perplexing to provocative. As usual with Bettina Rheims, this is not about fashion photography. Rather, she allowed her models, by no means all professionals including, for example, Laetitia Casta and Milla Jovovich, to do what they wanted with the fine clothes along the lines of the photographer's de-constructivist concept. Her highly aesthetic pictures subtly undermine a commercial as well as a voyeuristic, male view and reveal fascinatingly disconcerting insights into the world of haute couture and those who wear it.

Héroïnes was produced in collaboration with fashion designer Jean Colonna, who was responsible for the layout and design. The introduction was written by Catherine Millet, author of The Sexual Life of Catherine M.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Case in point: Heroines from Bettina
Rheims, who first made a name for herself photographing strippers in
the 1980s. In Heroines, she photographs women again, this time stripping away makeup and clothing to show their true beauty and strength. A gorgeous must-see pullout centerfold features the trio from Le Tigre, including the hairy JD Samson in all her butchy glory. --Curve Magazine (November 2008)

About the Author

Bettina Rheims, born in Paris in 1952, is best known for her women portraits exhibited widely in Europe, the US, and Japan. An award-winning photographer, she regularly shoots commercials for major fashion labels.

Catherine Millet is editor-in-chief of the journal Art Press and was curator of the French pavilions at the biennials 1995 in Venice and 1989 in São Paulo. In 2001 she published the best-selling The Sexual Life of Catherine M.

Jean Colonna, born in Algiers, studied at the Ecole de Haute Couture of Paris. Dubbed the King of Gallic Grunge-wear, he launched his own label in 1985 and collaborates with other designers by creating accessories for Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Schirmer/Mosel (May 15, 2007)
• Language: French
• ISBN-10: 3939128813
• ISBN-13: 978-3829602983
• ASIN: 3829602987
• Product Dimensions: 14.6 x 11.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,587,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Heroines or confused models?, March 19, 2008

By 

Akos Szilvasi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Heroines (French Edition) (Hardcover)

Bettina Rheims' book "Heroines" is going back to Amazon. It is a high quality, elegant, color photo album full of craftfully created portraits of celebrity women who were set up to act distressed and decadent. The photographs are too explicitly stylized to believe that the models just came from a party, hungover and roughed up, their beautiful dresses torn and ripped from their bodies. Their expressions are hollow and hesitant, which leaves the viewer wondering if they understand what Rheims wants them to represent. Did she want to create a 60s European decadent look (such as the images of Monica Vitti and Anita Eckberg) where the subjects appear vulnerable and disillusioned with a sexual overtone? If so, I do not think she succeeded. Not even the forward, with Catherine Millet's well worded but not very enthusiastic review nor the reference to Lucien Freud helps to explain the artist's intent.

5.0 out of 5 stars blue vein babies..., December 29, 2008

By 

bohobozo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heroines (French Edition) (Hardcover)

Bettina Rheims; Heroines: ISBN-10:3829602987.

Bettina Rheims has been a slow burn for me.
She is not a sensationalist - never going to be - and never going to be this years model - no fifteen minutes of fame.
She is an artist-photographer understanding women as only a woman can and makes it perfectly comprehensible to a boho like me.
She is awesome.
In this work she takes on beautiful women, mostly famous,from around the world,lures them into her studio and shoots them blue veins,transluscent flesh,blemishes and all.
A daunting task - a could-be/would be disaster for both model and photographer - especially for the models - who are shown here as they are - as they see themselves or as the photographer sees them - real portrait photography.
A campaign for real women - executed with aplomb.
Astonishing.
I find myself leafing through this book again and again - settling and discovering something new and fresh everytime - and it's a gorgeous feeling - seeing these women - sensing their experiences - celebrating their maturity.
Ms. Rheims develops and matures with every publication, and is absolutely going to be a cult figure in her time and a legend thereafter.

5.0 out of 5 stars Skin Light Stone Clothes, August 30, 2008

By 

Carolyn "Arwen" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heroines (French Edition) (Hardcover)

Great book , encourages me to explore further my portraiture photography of women , Bettina Rheims raw honest expose of her models is refreshing and exciting!