In 1963, New York City-based photographer and film director Melvin Sokolsky (1933–2022) produced the “Bubble” series of photographs depicting fashion models “floating” in giant clear plastic bubbles suspended in midair above the River Seine in Paris.
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| The “Bubble” series by Melvin Sokolsky in 1963 |
“The bubble in the series is made of Plastivew and is composed of two hemispheres with a 1/8-inch crack to allow for breathing room. Then the bubble was hung from a very thin, but strong cable. (It could have also held up a Cadillac.) This was probably one of the easiest shoots I’ve ever done in my life because there were no hair or makeup interruptions. No one could touch her in the bubble, so it was just her and I creating the images.” – Melvin Sokolsky
Melvin Sokolsky was best known for his editorial fashion photographs for publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and The New York Times. Sokolsky’s work is not limited to that field. Three quarters of his print photography has been for advertising, which does not usually carry a byline. Toward the end of the 1960s, he worked as both commercial director and cameraman.
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| Simone gets set to enter the bubble, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Saint Germain en Laye, 1963 |
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| "Over New York", from "The Bubble Series" by Melvin Sokolsky, 1963 |
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| "On the Roof", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Nina Ricci, photo by Melvin Sokolsy from his 'Bubble Series', Paris, 1963 |
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| "Rolling", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Nina Ricci, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Flower Girl", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Guy Laroche, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Faces in Window", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Guy Laroche, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from the "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "School Window", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Nina Ricci, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Schoolyard Tree", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Nina Ricci, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Schoolyard Tree Sky Watch", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Nina Ricci, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Delvaux Puzzled", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Yves Saint Laurent, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Delvaux Chase", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Yves Saint Laurent, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series', Paris, 1963 |
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| "After Delvaux", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Yves Saint Laurent, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "In Trees", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Pierre Balmain, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Delvaux Empty Street", Simone d'Aillencourt, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Delvaux Street", Simone d'Aillencourt, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "St. Germain Street", Simone d'Aillencourt, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Bubble Serenade", Simone d'Aillencourt in design by Pierre Cardin, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Bubble Guitar", Simone d'Aillencourt, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris 1963 |
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| "Serenade Breath", Simone d'Aillencourt, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Le Dragon", Simone d'Aillencourt, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Dragon's Breath", Simone d'Aillencourt, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Meditari", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Pierre Cardin, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Bird Cage Intrigue", Simone d'Aillencourt in fashion by Pierre Cardin, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "On the Seine", Simone d'Aillencourt, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| "Bouquet Seine", Simone d'Aillencourt, photo by Melvin Sokolsky from his "Bubble Series", Paris, 1963 |
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| The successful trial run of the "Bubble" with model Tilly Tizzani in New York City, assistant Ali MacGraw is seen holding fur coat for Tilly, 1963 |
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| "Free Bubble Parking (First 90 Minutes)", with Tilly Tizzani during the trial run of "The Bubble Series" in New York City, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, 1963 |
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| The 'Bubble' crew/ l to r: Taxi Driver, Eli Pollack (studio manager), Michel (crane operator), Simone (model), Melvin Sokolsky, Stanley Sokolsky, Ali MacGraw (personal assistant), Isi Veleris, and Guy (crane operator), 1963 |
(Photo © Melvin Sokolsky)
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