Richard Avedon shot Calvin Klein’s famous 1980 jeans campaign featuring Brooke Shields.
The campaign helped transform jeans from practical workwear and casual clothing into high-fashion advertising. Brooke Shields was 15 when she appeared in the provocative campaign, whose memorable slogan suggested that nothing came between her and her Calvin Klein jeans.
Avedon was already one of the twentieth century’s most influential fashion photographers. His clean, direct style gave the campaign a striking visual identity and helped establish designer denim as a major force in fashion marketing.
The campaign is often confused with later Calvin Klein advertisements photographed by Bruce Weber or directed by other creatives. Avedon’s association is specifically with the landmark 1980 Brooke Shields jeans campaign.