As one of the few women in history to be recognised solely by first name, swinging sixties icon and German model Veruschka is still one of the world’s most famous women. Widely considered to be the first ever “super”, she found her fame across the pond in New York City, going on to demand some of the highest modelling fees in history and star in some of the globe’s most iconic fashion shoots. From Vera to Veruschka: The Unseen Photographs by Johnny Moncada is an exhibition of the forgotten and unpublished archive of Johnny Moncada, the man responsible for making Veruschka a star.
Originally born in Germany as Vera Gräfin von Lehndorff-Steinort, it was only after meeting Moncada that Vera changed her name to Veruschka, creating the doe-eyed alter ego that would make her a household name. Snapped over the course of 1963 and 1964, guests to the London exhibition will get to take a peak inside Moncada’s photographic, fourty year old time capsule, as his photos perfectly capture the beauty, fashion and style trends of the 1960’s. Discovered by Moncada’s daughter in 2011, the three thousand unpublished photographs have been expertly crafted into an exhibition of over 20 works, both in black and white and colour, as well as specially designed video installation. Dressed in only the best of Italian brands including Valentino, Irene Galitzine, and Lancetti and sporting the boldest and baddest of sixties hair styles, From Vera to Veruschka is a visual feast that will delight both photography and fashion buffs alike.
From Vera to Veruschka: The Unseen Photographs by Johnny Moncada is on now until June 1st at Somerset House, London.