Classic Dior elegance: exquisite models from the 1940s-1960s on the streets of Paris (21 photos)

Willy Maywald grew up in a family business. But as sometimes happens, the young man clearly understood that his future lay outside the family business, and immediately after school, he left for Paris, where he built a brilliant career as a fashion photographer.







Studio shot.

Willi Maywald was born in Germany and attended art school there. In 1931, he moved to Paris, where he began actively photographing life on the streets and in cafes. He made connections with the city's creative elite, began photographing their home interiors, organized a master class in Montparnasse, and generally seemed to be enjoying himself. At that time, he could be seen in literally every part of the French capital.

Fashion photography by Willy Maiwald.

In 1942, Maiwald was offered a job as a photographer in Switzerland, where he went for four years, later returning to Paris, this time with the intention of photographing people. Instead of working in a regular photo studio, Maiwald decided to conquer the world of fashion and celebrities. Surprisingly, he found success almost immediately. Either the right people spotted his talent, or his old connections played a role. Either way, Maywald's career skyrocketed. He worked for Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain, Jacques Fath, and Jeanne Paquin.



Models in exquisite dresses.

At the time, fashion house shoots took place exclusively in studios. Maywald was the first to bring models out onto the streets in their incredibly expensive, exquisite gowns. This was so unusual and innovative at the time that the House of Dior decided to hire him as its lead photographer. His photographs appeared on the covers of famous magazines (Vogue, Vanity Fair, and others), but Maywald devoted most of his work to his collaboration with Dior.



Photoshoot outside the studio.



Willy Maywald was the first to take models out onto the streets for shoots.



Photoshoot in the park.



In a Parisian cafe.



On the streets of Paris.



Fashion photos for fashion magazines.



Fashion photographs from the 1940s-1960s.



A sunny day in Paris.



Willy Maiwald, Dior's chief photographer.



Models pose on the city streets.



Classic studio shots.



Photographs by Willy Maiwald.



A pioneer in fashion photography.



Graceful models on the city streets.



Fashion photo shoot.



On the streets of Paris.



Fashion photographs from the 1940s-1960s