Collier Schorr
Collier Schorr, a trailblazer in the realm of fashion photography, has made a name for herself over the past two and a half decades with her captivating portraits of adolescent youth, skillfully navigating the complex terrains of gender and identity. Operating from New York, Schorr’s lens has brought forward groundbreaking campaigns for fashion titans such as Comme des Garçons, Lanvin, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Saint Laurent, collaborating with filmmakers like Nathalie Canguilheim along the way.
A stalwart in publications like Dazed, Schorr not only crafts cover stories but also pens insightful editorials. Her artistic footprint extends globally, with her works displayed in eminent spaces such as MOMA, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow, Le Consortium in Dijon, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Schorr’s influence is further cemented by her five monographic publications in the UK, including the notable “Jens F,” a nod to Andrew Wyeth’s “The Helga Pictures.”
Born to a Queens, New York backdrop, the daughter of an automotive journalist and a therapist, Schorr’s creative journey was shaped by her 1985 journalism degree from the School of Visual Arts. Her early career saw her assisting prominent figures like Peter Halley and Richard Prince, and engaging with New York’s 303 Gallery.
Schorr’s artistic ventures took a profitable turn in 1987 with her innovative appropriation of fashion ads onto plexiglass, a technique stemming from her childhood hobby of magazine cut-out collection. Her profound interest in youth, gender, and identity politics was vividly explored through her consistent visits to a quaint town in southern Germany, capturing the essence of its adolescent inhabitants and architecture.
Her work daringly explores the interplay of nationality, gender, and sexuality within identity, often delving into provocative themes such as German boys in Nazi uniforms and high school athletes in New Jersey. A significant milestone was her 1995 commission by Purple Magazine’s Olivier Zahm for a Helmut Lang fashion editorial, marking her foray into high-fashion publication.
Schorr’s distinctive vision has been celebrated worldwide, with exhibitions at venues like the Walker Art Center and the Whitney Biennial. Notably, her 2014 solo exhibition “8 Women” and collaborations with figures like Virgil Abloh highlight her dynamic range. Joining the Yale faculty in 2003, Schorr has also made her mark as a senior critic in photography and joined the esteemed ranks of Vanity Fair photographers alongside Annie Leibovitz in 2019.
Represented by 303 Gallery, Schorr continues to produce her iconic works from her Williamsburg studio. Her portfolio boasts covers and editorials for prestigious magazines such as Vogue, I-D, and T Magazine, capturing luminaries like Michelle Obama and Bella Hadid.
Schorr’s career is also marked by her commitment to challenging the status quo and promoting diversity, leveraging social media for activism with the hashtag #humanityvisibilityequalspower. Following the Harvey Weinstein allegations, she called for greater protections against sexual harassment in the industry. In a pioneering move, she was the first to photograph and interview model Nathan Westling post his gender transition, showcasing her commitment to visibility and inclusivity in the fashion world.
