Dario Calmese is the first African American to photograph the cover of Vanity Fair. He is an artist and podcaster originally from Missouri.[1][2] Calmese is the host of the podcast, Institute of Black Imagination.

Career

He began photography in 2012 while attending the School of Visual Arts.[1] His photos of Harlem fashion collector Lana Turner were part of a special exhibition in 2015.[3][4] In 2013 he became the casting director for Kerby Jean-Raymond's fashion shows and then the director. In 2019, he directed the Pyer Moss show at Kings Theater in Brooklyn.[1] For the July/August 2020 cover of Vanity Fair he photographed Viola Davis. Calmese has worked for Vanity Fair in the past as well, although this was his first major magazine cover, and the first magazine cover for Vanity Fair shot by an African American photographer. He previously shot actor Billy Porter, actor George MacKay[5] and Broadway star Adrienne Warren for the magazine.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Testa, Jessica (July 14, 2020). "The Black Photographer Making History at Vanity Fair". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  2. ^ Wheeler, André (July 18, 2020). "Dario Calmese: Vanity Fair's first black cover photographer on his 'love letter to black women'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  3. ^ Bobb, Brooke (February 16, 2018). "For Harlem Fashion Icon Lana Turner, Dressing Up for Sunday Service Means Vintage Yves Saint Laurent". Vogue. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  4. ^ LensCulture, dario Calmese |. "Harlem Socialite, Lana Turner - Photographs by Dario Calmese". LensCulture. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  5. ^ Daniels, Karu F. "With striking Viola Davis 'slave portrait' imagery, Dario Calmese is Vanity Fair's first black photographer". nydailynews.com. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  6. ^ Guy, Jack. "Viola Davis stars in Vanity Fair's first cover shot by a Black photographer". CNN. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  7. ^ "Dario Calmese makes history as first Black photographer to shoot Vanity Fair cover". Los Angeles Times. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.

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