Lady of the Lens: Paul Smith on Annie Leibovitz

last updated 23 November 2017

Annie Leibovitz is perhaps the most renowned portrait photographer today. Over her illustrious career she has gone on tour with the Rolling Stones, captured John Lennon on the day he was assassinated and shot everyone from the Obamas to the Queen. A new tome from Phaidon, Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005 - 2016, brings together her most recent works in a beautiful coffee table book featuring some of her most recognisable images alongside never-before-published photographs. Launched and stocked at the Albemarle Street store of Paul Smith, the fashion designer recalls a memorable moment shooting with the acclaimed photographer.

"For those not familiar with Annie Leibovitz, she has probably photographed every well-known person in the world. These range from those well known in certain circles, such as myself, to the extremely famous.

She made her mark with Rolling Stone magazine, and later Vanity Fair. Once I was privileged enough to be photographed by her - in New York's Central Park at 8 o'clock one morning with some pigeons on my head! She was so organised; she had a pigeon trainer, an Airstream, 500 coloured balloons, three bicycles, four vintage cameras and, just in case, a wardrobe for 40 people - all Paul Smith of course. It worked out really well.

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When we were asked if we could support the launch of her new book, which covers her work from 2005 to 2016, obviously we were really pleased as it just fits in exactly with what a lot of my customers like. It was a big privilege. What she's so clever at is making people relaxed and chatting away, and then just capturing the moment. There are a lot of portrait photographers out there, but she just has that way of catching a yawn, or a sleepy or doleful eye. She's just good at what she does."