For the first time, the stunning fashion photography of renowned photographer, illustrator, painter and Hollywood film, director Len Steckler, will be on public display in Southern California and available for sale in an exhibition entitled Len Steckler: Reflections of the Man Behind the Mirror, presented by Limited Runs, the premiere online destination for original and vintage posters, print art and photography. (Photos will also be exclusively available on-line at www.limitedruns.com.)
Revisit The Swingin’ 60s Through The Photos Of Legendary Fashion Photographer Len Steckler with Len Steckler: Reflections of the Man Behind the Mirror, presented by Limited Runs
The Len Steckler: Reflections of the Man Behind the Mirror exhibit will take place February 2nd – 4th in Los Angeles and February 17th – 20th in Palm Springs. It will feature 28 never before seen photos taken between 1960 and 1965 comprising of out-takes from a few of the many commercial fashion and beauty photo shoots Steckler completed during this time period. The Paley Center for Media has said of Steckler’s work, “He helped shape the direction of modern fashion with his stunning fashion photography in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.”
Len Steckler (May 6, 1928 – August 11, 2016) who was a photographer, illustrator, painter and film director, was born and raised in New York, was drawing by the age of five, and studied at Pratt Institute and the Art Students League. As a young illustrator, he won the National Academy Design Award and, after being part of the prestigious Charles Cooper studio, he gained prominence as the originator of the campaign for the first diet drink, Diet Pepsi. His illustrations appeared in all the leading magazines of the day such as, Collier’s, Ladies Home Journal, and The Saturday Evening Post.
Revisit The Swingin’ 60s Through The Photos Of Legendary Fashion Photographer Len Steckler with Len Steckler: Reflections of the Man Behind the Mirror, presented by Limited Runs
While painting, he often relied on his photograph of the model for further reference, and magazine editors started to buy these photographs. He eventually phased out illustration, and in the 60’s and 70’s, Steckler became famous for his fashion and beauty photography. His work appeared in major ad campaigns for Revlon, Cover Girl, AT&T, many Proctor and Gamble products, and American Airlines, to name a few. He launched the careers of young models such as Jennifer O’Neill, Susan Blakeley, Cybil Shepherd and Maud Adams.
In addition to ad campaigns, his photographs appeared in McCall’s, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and he photographed celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Carl Sandburg, Andres Segovia, John Wayne, Faye Dunaway, and Joanne Woodward.
Expanding his career, he started to direct and produce commercials. He gained national notoriety for putting pantyhose on Joe Namath for a Hanes commercial. And his Noxzema spots with the famous phrase, “Take it off, take it all off!” became a pop culture phenomenon. Steckler directed and filmed all the live segments in the Emmy™-award winning television special, “Free To Be You And Me”, which went on to become one of the most popular and influential children’s television specials of past decades. Steckler’s commercials today reside in the Paley Center for Media both in New York and Beverly Hills.
In his late years, Steckler lost his left eye to cancer. In what would have been a devastating blow to most people, made Steckler more obsessed with sight he and continued to create every day, despite a debilitating series of strokes suffered in 2011 until his death in 2016.
GALLERIES
Los Angeles (February 2-4) at The Gallery located at 10545 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles 90064
The opening night premiere party will be held on Thursday, February 2nd from 6:00PM – 9:00PM
Palm Springs (February 17-20) at Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, Palm Springs Convention Center
The opening night party will be held on Friday, February 17th from 6:00PM – 9:00PM
The photos will be offered as limited edition, numbered prints which will contain an Estate signature on the verso. For more information about the photos, visit https://www.limitedruns.com/blog/len-steckler-press-page/
Established in 2014, Limited Runs (www.limitedruns.com) is the premiere online destination for original and vintage posters, print art and photography. Limited Runs works with knowledgeable, reputable and trusted dealers to both exhibit and sell original, highly desired posters, print art and photography to their growing customer base across North America, Europe and APAC. To learn more, visit www.limitedruns.com
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