Gilles Bensimon

Gilles Bensimon, New York City, September 2007. Photo by Christopher Peterson.

Gilles Bensimon (born 1944) is a top fashion photographer and the former International Creative Director of ELLE magazine. He has also been the photographer on the reality television series America's Next Top Model.

Born in Paris, France, he joined the French ELLE in 1967. When the American ELLE was launched in 1985, Bensimon was invited to join it. Here he photographed many well-known models, including Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer, Lisa Snowdon, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Rachel Williams, Honor Fraser, Yasmin Le Bon and Beverly Peele.

Career

Gilles Pensimon has enjoyed a prestigious career in photography as one of the most recognizable names in the industry.

During his tenure at as International Creative Director and Head Photographer of ELLE magazine, Bensimon's vision reached an estimated 20 million readers worldwide.

He is well known as a celebrity photographer with a portfolio consisting of top models and celebrities. His uniquely vital and sensual style celebrates women of all ages in the most positive of ways. Among those he has helped transform into stars are Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington and Gisele Bündchen to name just a few while capturing the evolution of actresses and singers such as Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sharon Stone, Keira Knightley, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah-Jessica Parker, Halle Berry, Uma Thurman and many more.

Commercially, his clients range from Kohl's to Saks Fifth Avenue and Maybelline to Clarins.

He is represented by Walter Schupfer Management in New York City. www.wschupfer.com

Personal Life

While at French ELLE he met his first wife Pascha, who he has one child with Pascha. In 1985 he also met his second wife, Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson, but they divorced in 1989. In 1999, he became the director of the American ELLE. Kelly Killoren, who is on the reality show The Real Housewives of New York City, was the third wife of Gilles Bensimon. The couple have two daughters: Sea Louise Bensimon (born 1998) and Thaddeus Ann "Teddy" Bensimon (born 2000). The couple divorced in July 2007. Since that time, Bensimon has been linked to several fashion models including and recently art historian Diana Widmaier-Picasso, granddaughter of Pablo Picasso.

External links

• Walter Schupfer Management