This George Hoyningen-Huene photograph is one of the most famous fashion images of the 20th century.
In it, we see a swimming costume and matching socks from the first collection created by Elsa Schiaparelli in January, 1928. She was then working at 4, rue de la Paix. The plaque in the entrance of the building read “Schiaparelli – Pour le Sport “ (Schiaparelli - For Sport). This graphic and elegant creation is inspired by American modernism, characterised by sobriety, fluid lines, colour contrasts, black and white.
Published in the July, 1928 of Vogue, “N°1” was worn by the model Bettina Jones, who would later become Elsa Schiaparelli's right hand under the name of Bettina Bergery. The male model is the photographer Horst P. Horst.