In 1985, Cindy Crawford was not yet a global household name. She was still a student at Northwestern University (studying chemical engineering) and working primarily out of the Chicago fashion scene. Barry Elz was one of the first professional photographers to recognize Crawford’s potential. He worked with her frequently during this period, helping her build the portfolio that would eventually catch the eye of major agencies in New York.
Taken in 1985 by Elz, this series of images is a window into the mid-80s aesthetic and Crawford’s early career in Chicago. This shoot occurred just as the industry was shifting away from the delicate, “waif-like” looks of the late 1970s toward the more powerful, curvy, and athletic presence that Crawford came to personify. The use of high-contrast black and white, along with the visible film borders, gives the photo a “test shoot” or “raw” quality. It highlights the transition from commercial catalog work to high-fashion editorial.
Interestingly, in many early shoots from 1984–1985, editors would occasionally airbrush out her famous beauty mark. Barry Elz was among those who captured her more naturally, allowing her unique features to stand out.
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