The famous photographer Cecil Beaton, who became a style icon
British photographer Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton is known primarily for his photographs of famous people. But his talent was not limited to photography. This man is known as an interior designer, costume and set designer, and memoirist. Beaton also had impeccable taste and in 1970 was included in the International Hall of Fame list of the most stylish people on the planet.
Cecil Beaton was born on January 14, 1904, in Hampstead, UK. He was interested in photography from early childhood. The boy admired picture postcards with portraits of famous actresses and socialites. He received his first camera as a gift from his parents at the age of 11, and his nanny taught him the basics of taking and printing photographs.
In the 1920s, the young photographer was already collaborating with Vogue and Vanity Fair. During World War II, Beaton temporarily abandoned glamour photography and worked as a frontline photojournalist, covering military operations in East Asia and Africa. After the war, he returned to portrait photography. He also became interested in costume and set design for theater and cinema.
The photographer was never married, devoting his considerable potential entirely to his creativity. However, he did not lead a monastic life and often had affairs. He was credited with secret relationships with actresses Greta Garbo and Coral Browne, as well as actor Gary Cooper. There were rumors in society about his bisexuality, although they were not confirmed.
Cecil Beaton won two Oscars for Best Costume Design. He was later awarded another Oscar as a production designer. In 1972, his achievements were highly appreciated in his homeland, and Beaton received a knighthood. At the same time, he did not abandon his favorite business and continued to shoot portraits in parallel with his work as a designer.
He continued to work actively, photographing movie stars, sports stars and the modeling business until 1974, when he suffered a stroke. After a serious illness, the photographer could no longer work at full capacity due to his failing health. But even in this state, Beaton continued to organize master classes and act as an expert at various events. He died on January 18, 1980, at the age of 76, from a heart attack.
Cecil Beaton left behind a huge number of photographs and 6 volumes of memoirs based on his diaries. He kept records from 1922 to 1974. In 2003, his previously uncensored writings were published. Beaton loved accurate and frank observations, which were not to everyone's taste.