Few celebrity photographers become well-known as their subjects over time. She leaves behind a legacy that includes some of the most well-known candid photographs of celebrities and designers. The photo of Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista in a bathtub is so bad it’s hard to believe it’s a photo of the Trinity.
We are sad to say we lost a remarkable woman today. Roxanne Lowit was a legendary photographer who provided an intimate look into the world of fashion and showed us a side of nightlife that most people didn’t get to see.
A native New Yorker, Lowit studied textile design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. After graduating, she was able to present her own designs and work with some of the biggest names in fashion, including Donna Karan. She began photographing people who didn’t have time to sit for their portraits in the late 1970s, and discovered the medium in which she thrived. Before long, Lowit was getting backstage access to fashion shows in New York City and Paris, as well as photographing names. She got herself a 35- millimeter and a book on how to load film when she got her first assignment, because she had to buy a new camera.
Just a few hours after studying up on the flight to Europe, she found herself at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Lowit once said that it had been downhill since. It was the beginning of a relationship that would last until his death in 2002, and lead to some of Lowit’s best known photos. When she was his photographer for 25 years at the Met, she said she was the most memorable. It was the first time anyone did anything for a living designer and I was his personal, private photographer for the whole thing. My feet did not touch the ground the entire two weeks. We were in each other’s company and we liked each other. It was that way from the first day.
Take a look at some of the YSL moments she captured and more of her legendary photos below.
Three models in a tub were taken in 1990. There is an after-party for Versace at the Ritz. We were all in the bathroom with someone. They are laughing and giggling because he was pretending to turn on the water.
Photo by Roxanne Lowit
John Galliano had a show in Paris in 1994.
Photo by Roxanne Lowit
Yves Saint Laurent was at an event.
© Roxanne Lowit. Courtesy of Roxanne Lowit
There were two people at a restaurant on New Years Eve in New York City.
Photo by Roxanne Lowit
David LaChapelle and Pamela Anderson are on their way to the Oscars, and are crazy kids out on the town.
Photo by Roxanne Lowit
There is a backstage at the Yves Saint Laurent show.
© Roxanne Lowit. Courtesy of Roxanne Lowit
Harlow was in Paris.
Photo by Roxanne Lowit
A statue of the Empire State Building was kissed by Yves Saint Laurent.
© Roxanne Lowit. Courtesy of Roxanne Lowit
Roxanne Lowit took this photo.
A model at a show.
© Roxanne Lowit. Courtesy of Roxanne Lowit
There is a ready-to- wear spring 1981 show backstage.
© Roxanne Lowit. Courtesy of Roxanne Lowit
Catherine Deneuve was in 1988
© Roxanne Lowit. Courtesy of Roxanne Lowit
Katoucha Niane was backstage at the show.
© Roxanne Lowit. Courtesy of Roxanne Lowit.