Journal

Happenings: Brigitte Bardot by Ray Bellisario

Happenings: Brigitte Bardot by Ray Bellisario

There’s no doubt that we spend a considerable amount of time poring over images of some of our favourite Glasshouse muses, and Brigitte Bardot is no exception. We’re super pleased that a series of photos of the French starlet by Ray Bellisario are currently on show at Dadiani Fine Art in Mayfair.

Bellisario is considered to be one of the first paparazzi photographers, with Marlon Brando, Winston Churchill and Grace Kelly as just some of the public figures he pursued with his lens. However it was in 1968 that he cast his camera on Bardot, whilst she was in London promoting the film Shalako. He whisked her away from security, drove her off in his car and they spent the afternoon shopping and hiding from her fans in a Bond Street pub. Quite a world away from the French Riviera we imagine…

All the pictures give a candid glimpse into a laid-back Brigitte, whether it’s perched over the pub bar or shopping in Selfridges. Bellisario succeeds in capturing her relaxed nature and completely adorable sense of style with added je ne sais quoi! It’s also a rare look at old school celebrity photography, before the word ‘paparazzi’ became tarnished. Bellisario’s snaps of the royal family had Prince Philip famously suggesting he should be locked up in the Tower. After seeing these beautifully natural pictures of the star we have to disagree with the prince and if (like us) you’re a Bardot fan too, make sure you pop down to the exhibition before it finishes on June 30th!