Impressive Fashion Photography by Arik Népo in the Early 1950s

Arik Népo (1913–1961) was a prominent photographer whose work significantly contributed to the visual language of fashion and portraiture in the mid-20th century.

Born in Moscow, Népo became an active figure in the Parisian and New York photography scenes, capturing the elegance of high fashion from the 1930s through the 1950s. His images frequently appeared in prestigious publications like Vogue, featuring designs from renowned houses such as Maggy Rouff, Lucien Lelong, and Hermès.

Népo was known for his sophisticated style, which often focused on dramatic poses and precise composition to highlight the texture of the garments and the refined beauty of his subjects. His black and white gelatin silver prints are valued today as a stylistic record of post-war haute couture and the glamour of the era.

Bettina Graziani wearing a coat in Bianchini Lorganza over a tulle dress by Jean Patou, photo by Arik Nepo at the Serres de la Ville, Paris, Vogue, Paris, July/August 1950

Model wearing a natural mink cape by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, November 1950

Model wearing a nightgown and robe by Schiaparelli, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, July/August 1950

Bettina Graziani wearing a beautiful white organdy dress with a multitude of braided balls that trim the tiered pleated frills by Carven, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, May 1950

Bettina Graziani wearing a charming dress in pink shantung embroidered with sparkling stars, her loose coat is in taffeta in the same shade, by Molyneux, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, May 1950

Jackie Stoloff wearing a long Silverblu mink stole from Mendel-Maggy Rouff, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, November 1950

Jackie Stoloff wearing a mink coat distinguished by its large collar and cuffs from Canada Furs, hat by Maud et Nano, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, November 1950

Jackie Stoloff wearing a small evening cap of almond panne velvet embroidered with topaz and silver barettes by Legroux, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, September 1950

Model wearing a cloche that sits upright on her head with an accordion-like crown by Claude St. Cyr, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, March 1950

Model wearing a large beret in black velvet with three points extended by jet pins by Gerard Albouy, mink stole by Canada Furs, jewelry by Sterlé, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, September, 1950

Model wearing navy linen pants and white piqué shirt, perfect to wear on your boat, by Hermès, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, June 1950

Anne Gunning wearing a Breitscwantz redingote with a mink collar by Jacques Heim, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, November 1951

Bettina Graziani wearing a triangular hat in natural bengaline underlined with brown grosgrain ribbon by Legroux Soeurs, suit by Véra Boréa, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, March 1951

Bettina Graziani, "Canasta" parfum by Jacques Fath, photo by Studio Nepo, Vogue, Paris, March 1951

Bettina Graziani, taken on the Place de la Concorde before it was opened to traffic, hat by Paulette, by Arik Nepo for French Vogue, September 1951

Jackie Stoloff (left) in pale blue silk surah pleated dress by Lanvin-Castillo, middle and right model in pleated dresses by Jacques Fath, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, May 1951

Lucky wearing a white ermine hat worn to reach the eyebrows by Legroux Soeurs and adorned with an emerald clover by Van Cleef & Arpels, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, November 1951

Model wearing a natural tussor silk swing coat over a sheath with a black taffeta bodice, black straw hat is veiled in black muslin by Balenciaga, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, May 1951

Model wearing a thick black wool coat with gathered yoke in back and big full sleeves by Jacques Heim, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, October 1951

Model wearing this charming, almost-long, white piqué dress and a cherry-red Aloutienne gauze stole by Manguin, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, June 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a satin hat decorated with emerald cutouts by Legroux Soeurs, mink cape is by Revillon, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, February 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a sumptuous natural mink coat from Revillon and a little cloche that leans to the right and is adorned with jewels by Legroux Soeurs, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, September 1951

Bettina Graziani wearing a blue-gray rabbit felt cap stretched and tied with a ribbon at the nape of the neck by Svend, photo by Arik nepo, Vogue, Paris, September 1952

Bettina Graziani wearing a conical cap in sand-colored velvet edged with black ribbon by Madame Paulette, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, September 1952

Bettina Graziani wearing a soft, round, green velvet bonnet that completely covers the ears by Gilbert Orcel, her earrings are by Van Cleef & Arpels, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, September 1952

Bettina Graziani wearing an angular green felt hat, widened at the top and fitting the head from hairline to the nape of the neck by Maud et Nano, blonde sheared otter coat by Revillon, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, September 1952

Carmen Dell' Orefice, photo by Arik Nepo, 1952

Model wearing a beautiful loose coat in nutria with shawl collar by Maurice Kotler, and a small cloche in white velvet edged with brown panne and veiled in beige by Claude St. Cyr, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, September 1952

Model wearing a hat by Gilbert Orcel whose color matches perfectly the indigo sheared otter coat with pagoda sleeves by Fourrures Weil, croc handbag by Morabito, gloves by Hermès, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, September 1952

Nancy Berg in dress by Jacques Fath for Joseph halpert, hat by Sally Victor, Trifari jewelry ad, photo by Arik Nepo, Harper's Bazaar, June 1953