Denis Piel: Exposed

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Scene: Denis Piel: Exposed at Staley-Wise Gallery. This exhibition is an overview of Denis Piel’s varied career. It includes his sensual and cinematic photographs for VOGUE in the 1980s and his abstract Padièscapes works, which are inspired by his organic sustainable farm in southwest France.
Immediately recognizable for their cinematic quality, Piel’s images were a sensational departure from the posed models of his predecessors in fashion photography, redefining the art of fashion photography. Piel’s photographs were more influenced by filmmakers such as François Truffaut and Stanley Kubrick than photographers.
Staley-Wise Gallery is a fine art photography gallery in New York City, focusing on fashion photography, as well as portraiture, landscape, still life, and nudes. The gallery was founded in 1981 by Etheleen Staley and Taki Wise.
“Cinematic elegance, timeless allure. Denis Piel: Exposed at @staleywisegallery offers a sweeping look at the photographer’s career… Piel’s work channels the storytelling spirit of filmmakers...“ AIPAD Visual Arts
Photo above: Denis Piel’s Rosemary (Water Massage), The Perfect Escape, Biarritz, France, US VOGUE, 1981.

Scene: Denis Piel and Legendary Supermodel Nancy Donahue. Nancy is in the next photo.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Joan & Nancy (Reading Time), Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, UK, US VOGUE, 1982.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Joan Severance (Peacock Competition 1), Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, UK, US VOGUE, 1982.
“This was the first time I ever had a peacock fall in love with me… I believe we called him Fernando. He would follow me everywhere—strutting his stuff trying to impress.” Joan Severance

Scene: In the mix.

Scene: The team Margaret Avery, Denis Piel, and Ezel (Claudio Ezel Cenci). Makeup artist, Photographer, and Hairstylist. The creative team that worked together on many editorial photo shoots for VOGUE.
“When I see a photo of us I think of all the shenanigans, talent, and laughter we shared with a strong bond.” Margaret Avery

Scene: Martin Axon, Owner of Art Matters LLC and Master Printer, and Etheleen Staley, Co-owner of Staley Wise Gallery.
Denis Piel: Exposed features along with great color fashion works, many images presented as platinum prints. Printed by Martin Axon who has been a long time printer for Denis Piel. Martin moved from England to New York City in the 80s and started making platinum prints for many remarkable photographers including Robert Mapplethorpe.

Scene: Olho Dashyvets, Ukrainian Model, and Morty Gottlieb, Photographer.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Suzanne Accosta (Reading), Key West, Florida, 1979.

Scene: Erika Kifune, Miss Japan 2020.

Scene: Martin Ambrose, Founder and CEO of Rethink Retail & Design LLC, and Marilyn Schotlord, representing Staley-Wise Gallery at the front desk.

Scene: Photographers: Alexander Von Bush, Mark Von Roy, and Wesley Sherow with Daiva Butkuviene.

Scene: Denis signing his books.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Un homme et une femme, Cap Ferrat, France, US VOGUE, 1984.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Eva & Nancy (Anticipation), Las Hadas, Mexico, US VOGUE, 1984;
Joan Severance (Peacock Competition 1), Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, UK, US VOGUE, 1982; and
Un homme et une femme, Cap Ferrat, France, US VOGUE, 1984.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Eva & Nancy (Anticipation), Las Hadas, Mexico, US Vogue, 1984.

Scene: Denis Piel’s images, Far Left: Suzanne Accosta, Red Dress, Key West, Florida, 1979.
Left to right. Top: Desert Fight, New Mexico,1984; Torso, Mustique, West Indies, 1982; Sunbath (1), Mustique, West Indies, 1982; Cooling Off (2), Mustique, West Indies, 1984.
Bottom: Heat, New Mexico, 1984; Man & Stone, New Mexico, 1984; Imagination, Mustique, West Indies, 1982.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Heat, New Mexico, 1984.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Man & Stone, New Mexico, 1984.

Scene: Denis Piel’s images, Far Left Top: Body in Bed (4), New York City, 1980. Far Left Bottom: Body in Bed (2), New York City, 1980.
Left to right. Center Top: Desert Fight, New Mexico,1984; Torso, Mustique, West Indies, 1982; Sunbath (1), Mustique, West Indies.
Center Bottom: Heat, New Mexico, 1984; Man & Stone, New Mexico, 1984; Imagination, Mustique, West Indies, 1982.
Far Right: Cooling Off (1), Mustique, West Indies, 1984.

Scene: Quinn.

Scene: Julia Bahlsen standing in front of Cooling Off (1), Mustique, West Indies, 1984.

Scene: Nancy Donahue, Legendary Supermodel and Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker at Keller Williams; Kevin Hatt, Photographer; and Michelle Warner.

Scene: Denis Piel’s images, left to right. Top: Portrait of a Woman (8), NYC, VOGUE Italia, 1987; Portrait of A Woman (12), NYC, VOGUE Italia, 1987; Rest, Mustique, West Indies, 1982; Body in Bed (4), New York City, 1980.
Bottom: Portrait of A Woman (15), NYC, VOGUE Italia, 1987; Portrait of Another Woman, NYC, VOGUE Italia, 1987; J. Asleep, Mustique, West Indies, 1982; Portrait of a Woman (5), NYC, VOGUE Italia, 1987; Portrait of a Woman (4), NYC, VOGUE Italia, 1987; Body in Bed (2), New York City, 1980.

Scene: Jane Russo.

Scene: Marina Rubin. Her short-story collection “Knockout Beauty and Other Afflictions” (Crowsnest Books, January 2023) received an Honorable Mention from Miami Book Fair Emerging Writer Fellowship and is now available.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Body in Bed (2), New York City, 1980.

Scene: Christine de Lassus, Fashion Stylist and Creative Director, and Michel Nafziger, Photographer.

Scene: Marsore Windman and Fred Gilbert.

Scene: Robert Lilly, Producer and Writer at Lilly Global Group, Lois Lilly, and Allen Lilly.

Scene: Allie Degen, Toni Rinaldi, and Jackie Hauck.

Scene: Denise Walch, Stylist, and Susan Shacter, Photographer.

Scene: Franze Walerdorff, Photographer and Artist, with Denis Piel.

Scene: Denis Piel: Exposed at Staley-Wise Gallery.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Jasper Johns, US VOGUE, NYC, 1987.

Scene: Moiz Alladina, Hairstylist; Wesley Sherow, Photographer; Mindy Saad, Wardrobe Stylist.

Scene: Nancy Donahue, Legendary Supermodel and Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker at Keller Williams, and Barbara Tate, Interior Designer TATE ID.

Scene: Rosemary, 2025. Denis Piel devotes a book to her with his photographs. Legendary Rosemary McGrotha is undoubtedly one of the most iconic models in the industry with her beauty, elegance, and authenticity.

Scene: Margret Avery, Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Actor, Makeup Artist, and Ana Stjepanovic, Gallery Manager.

Scene: Rodger del Valle, Prop Stylist, and Barry Weinbaum, Creative Consultant, with Denis Piel.

Scene: Marja Samsom with her pooch Bibichibi and Jean of Idiosyncraticfashionista.

Scene: Ruthie and Richard Warren, Photographer. Richard was Denis’ photo assistant.
Mark Woytovich who attended the exhibit was also Denis’ photo assistant.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Charlotte Rampling, NYC, US VOGUE, 1984.

Scene: Barbara Isenberg, Children’s Book Writer and Toy Designer; Etheleen Staley, Co-owner of Staley Wise Gallery; Christopher Sweet, Editor, Writer, and Curator at Large.

Scene: Pata Luna LLano, Founder Lunaversal Design creating one-of-a kind couture headpieces and costume elements; Daiva Butkuviene; Timothy Au, Assistant Director at Apicha Community Health Center.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Down to Earth No. 23, Château de Padiès, France, 2013.

Scene: Denis Piel talking with guests about his work.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Dahlia Redfield, Château de Padiès, France, 2023.

Scene: Denis Piel and his wife, Elaine Merkus.

Scene: Valentina Benaglio, Artist; Julia Bahlsen, Photographer and Filmmaker; Christian Larson, Photographer.

Scene: Denis Piel: Exposed at Staley-Wise Gallery.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Joan Didion & John Gregory Dunne (1), NYC, Vanity Fair, 1983.

Scene: Kalania and Roberto.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Rosemary (Baby in Bathtub), Donna Karan, New York, 1986.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Rosemary (In Between Moment), Donna Karan, New York, 1987.

Scene: Denis Piel’s photos from an advertising campaign featuring legendary Rosemary McGrotha for Donna Karen, NYC, 1986-1987.
“My work with Denis was unique. You couldn’t get away with just being a pretty face. A lot of the campaign took place in the back of a limousine. This was a reflection of Donna’s lifestyle and the women she wanted to dress. She’s a business woman trying to juggle everything – a baby, a work scedule, or a thousand bags. This women has a lot going on… The pictures capture all the pressure and stress of being a powerful working women and I think a lot of women related to that.” Rosemary Mc Grotha.

Scene: Denis Piel’s advertising video for Donna Karan starring Rosemary McGrotha, 1985.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Rosemary (Limo 1), Donna Karan, New York, 1986.

Scene: Denis Piel’s Suzanne Accosta, Red Dress, Key West, Florida, 1979.

Scene: Yours truly photographed by Wesley Sherow.

Scene: Leaving the Staley-Wise exhibit, Liz Igenfritez, Urban Zen Integrative Therapist at her Space + Ritual Studio, and Gene Seidman, Owner and CEO at Artra Worldwide.

NYMD TheSalting

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Scene: TheSalting at New York Men’s Day Spring/Summer 2025 by Creative Directors Michael Ward and Manuel Garcia Espejo. A simply stunning collection.
“Celebrating the Italian seaside and Italian life, village life by the sea”. Inspired by ’60s and ’70s Italian films with a focus on Luchino Visconti (Death in Venice, Ludwig, The Stranger), and Federico Fellini (8 ½, La Dolce Vita, Ginger and Fred).
Talent for the show: Key Hairstylist Christian Ceja-Compi and team for Oribe, Key Makeup Artist Michelle Webb and team for Augment Tokyo, First Assistant Monique Rinard and team support Academy of Freelance Makeup, Hats TheSalting, Boutonnieres Megan Quip for Wilhelnyc, Footwear Florsheim, Music Joel Noyes and Ben Noyes of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Props Lumber+Salt, Location Location05 Hudson Yards, Sponsors Hilldun Corporation, Sperry, and Victorinox, Public Relations AgentryPR, Photojournalist Fred J. DeVito, Imagemaker.





NYFW Michael Fausto

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Screen: Michael Fausto’s Spring/Summer 2025 Debut Collection. A luxury women’s wear line that centers around the line of myth and modernity. A graduate of FIT, Michael Fausto spent his time post grad training in the ateliers of Oscar de la Renta, Marchesa, and Badgley Mischka.
The theme “Castellamare” follows the summer of an Italian debutante as she explores “la dolce vita”. This fast-paced party girl is sent to a family palazzo in Sicily and is ultimately forced to adapt to the coastal lifestyle. The historic and ornate home she is now living in is filled with luxurious textiles and family heirlooms. As curiosities begin to mix with her high society style, a creation emerges as a juxtaposition between the slow and the fast, the old and the new, and the sleek and obscure.
Talent for the show: Key Hairstylist Britt Dion and team for Aveda, Key Makeup Artist Michelle Webb and team for Academy of Freelance Makeup, Stylist Sarah Elmachtoub, Casting Elvira Falsetta, Production Assistance Morgan Foote, Katie Toth, Nick Conti, and Tess Cascamera, Footwear Badgley Mischka, Location Friedman Benda Penthouse, Public Relations AgentryPR, Photojournalist Fred J. DeVito, Imagemaker.

Photos twenty-four though tewnty-nine courtesy of Michael Fausto.





Back to the Streets

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Scene: Fall/Winter personal style on the streets, in cafes, and in the subway. I’ve been posting stories of NYFW Designers and events, and now Street Scene is back to the streets which was its original focus. From designer runways to the runways of the streets. Personal style from basics to high end. From the subway to Madison Avenue.
The “street” approach to style and fashion is based on individualism, rather than focusing on current fashion trends, creating a result that reflects vitality and a blend of styles that embraces the energy of the street.
What I saw on my walks: Contemporary comfort with vintage touches. 
Classic shapes and colors, pop and vibrant shades. Cashmere and wool tweed. Oversized coats and fine tailored ones. Wide and slim pants. Hoodies, sweatpants, and t-shirts. Black leather jackets. Luxurious cocooning coats. A spectrum of browns. Winter whites, oversized jeans, and big cuffs. Plaids, patterns, and leopard prints. Brown leather gloves and bag. Scarves, turtlenecks, cardigans, and cell phones. Always black and white. Gold, black, and silver formal wear in the street midday.





NYFW PH5 Come Knit

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Scene: PH5 Fall / Winter 2024 collection by designers Wei Lin and Zoe Champion. The presentation was titled Come Knit With Us. At the presentation some of the models were knitting as others were reading The New York Times, holding clipboards and calculators, channeling the concept knitting is not only crafty or for grandmothers, but also for business people and executives. They chose Halston-esgue interiors with a vast view of lower Manhattan overlooking the East River at the WSA building.
This collection was focused on knitting, their specialty. Scarves were a central element beautifully draped with whimsical twists.
While sustainability and the brand’s innovative technological use of hyaluronic-infused layers for UV knits that changed colors under different lighting conditions, to yarns treated with hyaluronic acid for skin moisturization, comfortable, functional, and fun knitwear was the focus of the season’s eco-conscious collection. The trompe l’oeil jacquard jeans further exemplified the brand’s creative approach to knitwear,
showcasing their mastery of jacquard knits and innovative design concepts. The presentation of this collection highlighted the intricate details and thoughtful craftsmanship that have become synonymous with the brand.
Talent for the show: Key hairstylist Carly Loura and team for Cutler Salon with products by Redken, Key Makeup Artist Molly Marie Gansteand and team for New York Academy of Makeup using NYMUA Cosmetic Pigments, Stylist Coke Ho, Location WSA, Public Relations 69 Crosby Consulting, Collaborator Helen Oppenheim, Photojournalist Fred J. DeVito, Imagemaker.

Special thanks to Helen Oppenheim, hair historian, archivist, and blogger, for asking me to collaborate during Fashion Week.