Born 1934 in Lebanon of Armenian parentage, and raised in Egypt, American fashion photographer Kourken Pakchanian was taught by his father, a professional portrait photographer, the technical side of photography starting with developing and retouching. In the early 1960s, he emigrated to New York to pursue what would become a very successful career as a fashion photographer.
Pakchanian’s photography graced the pages of prestigious publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker. Notable features include his 1972 Vogue spreads like “The Sweatery Suits” and “The New York Collections: Easy, Racy, All of the Tone – The Essences of Fashion for Day,” which showcased models like Katalin Kállay, Susanne Schöneborn, and Jane Hitchcock.
Today, Pakchanian’s work is celebrated by collectors and fashion enthusiasts. His legacy endures in the world of fashion photography, remembered for his ability to blend high fashion with artistic expression. These stunning photos are part of Kourken Pakchanian’s fashion portrait series featuring classic beauties from the early 1970s.
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| Samantha Jones at the door of a helicopter in a short bare dress by Chester Weinberg, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, US Vogue, July 1972 |
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| Apollonia Van Ravenstein wearing a lurex suit in a colorful mosaic print, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 15, 1972 |
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| Apollonia Van Ravenstein wearing tattersall trenchcoat by Tom Fallon, with large sunglasses and chambray turban by Don Anderson for Scheer Bros, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, 1972 |
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| Emanuelle and Susan Schoenberg cycling in headscarves, bodysuits, socks and sneakers, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 1972 |
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| Emanuelle and Susan Schoenberg wearing checked shirtdresses at Hialeah, Florida, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, May 1972 |
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