Right on the mark

Few photographers have amassed such a hefty archive of work as Clive Arrowsmith.

Born in North Wales, Clive trained at art school then moved to London in the late 1960s to become art director of the hugely influential music TV programme, Ready Steady Go.

From setting up backdrops to photographing celebrities in splendid portraiture style, his work soon featured prominently in British and French Vogue, Harpers, Vanity Fair, Esquire and countless other magazines.

Aptly described by fashion director Marcella Martinelli as “the Caravaggio of the 21st century”, Clive’s portraits often come across as realist paintings rather than simple photographs.

His work rapidly became the stuff of legend and today his portfolio bursts at the seams with stunning portraiture of musicians, actors, fashion designers, supermodels, even magazine editors.

Enjoy our gallery of who’s-who (and indeed who was), captured by one of history’s greatest lensmen.  Antonino Tati

‘Clive Arrowsmith: Fashion, Beauty & Portraits’ (with a forward by Martyn Walsh) is available in hardback, published by ACC Editions, RRP £50.00.

David Bowie

Mick Jagger

Meryl Streep

John Galliano and models

Yves Saint Laurent

Dancer in David Bowie costume

Cher

Kate Bush

Tony Curtis