David Bailey's latest exhibition at The National Portrait Gallery is named Stardust for a good reason. The Rolling Stones, Kate Moss, Beyoncé, Cecil Beaton, Salvador Dalí, Jack Nicholson—you name the star, it's highly likely he or she is featured in Bailey's 300-strong portrait exhibition. Bailey has spent over half a century photographing his encounters with legends in rock, fashion, art—even London's East End gangster royalty.
The most unusual aspect of Stardust is that Bailey had full control over the exhibition and curated it in its entirety. Kate Moss is all-reigning—her iconic face hangs proudly in the entrance, which is surely a nod to Bailey's love of photographing Kate and other era-defining models like Jean Shrimpton and Jerry Hall. "There's a magic about them. The reason they're so successful is because everyone adores them," he once said. He dedicated a whole room to his wife, model Catherine Bailey.
The exhibition does not stop at fashion photography; Bailey shot the 'normal' people too. The photographer captured people in East London—where he originally hails from—including the infamous Kray Twins who were, at one point, the most notorious and violent gangsters in Britain. Images from his extensive travels are also featured, from Papua New Guinea to Naga Hills, India. In the giant maze of photographs, you can't help but notice Bailey's personal relationships with his subjects. Legendary or anonymous—each photo in Stardust is equally memorable.
Through June 1, 2014
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
St Martin’s Place,
London, WC2H 0HE
MAP
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Kate Moss by David Bailey, 2013 © David Bailey![]()
Mick Jagger by David Bailey, 1964 © David Bailey
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Jerry Hall and Helmut Newton, Cannes by David Bailey, 1983 © David Bailey
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A wall of stars, from Beyoncé and Brigitte Bardot to Jack Nicholson
![]()
The Catherine Bailey room—where personal and intimate images of his wife are displayed
The most unusual aspect of Stardust is that Bailey had full control over the exhibition and curated it in its entirety. Kate Moss is all-reigning—her iconic face hangs proudly in the entrance, which is surely a nod to Bailey's love of photographing Kate and other era-defining models like Jean Shrimpton and Jerry Hall. "There's a magic about them. The reason they're so successful is because everyone adores them," he once said. He dedicated a whole room to his wife, model Catherine Bailey.
The exhibition does not stop at fashion photography; Bailey shot the 'normal' people too. The photographer captured people in East London—where he originally hails from—including the infamous Kray Twins who were, at one point, the most notorious and violent gangsters in Britain. Images from his extensive travels are also featured, from Papua New Guinea to Naga Hills, India. In the giant maze of photographs, you can't help but notice Bailey's personal relationships with his subjects. Legendary or anonymous—each photo in Stardust is equally memorable.
Through June 1, 2014
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
St Martin’s Place,
London, WC2H 0HE
MAP
Kate Moss by David Bailey, 2013 © David Bailey
Mick Jagger by David Bailey, 1964 © David Bailey
Jerry Hall and Helmut Newton, Cannes by David Bailey, 1983 © David Bailey
A wall of stars, from Beyoncé and Brigitte Bardot to Jack Nicholson
The Catherine Bailey room—where personal and intimate images of his wife are displayed