1979 March Vogue Paris

Helmut Newton photographer
Jean Louis David hair. Dominique Bertola makeup.

Robin Osler:  “There were a couple of moments I remember specifically:  one was when we were actually doing that famous photograph, where Gia’s leaning back and I’m leaning over her, lighting the cigarette.  We were actually having a very hard time keeping a straight face.  The smoke was getting in both our eyes.  Helmut would have you hold a position for a very long time.  For that shoot, Helmut was concentrating on my hand.  Helmut was directing me to ‘hold your finger up just a little’ while Gia and I were trying to stay still with smoke in our eyes, and giggling. ~Born this Way

In early 1979 as Gia was marking her first anniversary in the business, she went to Paris to do a sitting with Helmut Newton for French Vogue.  (man-women photos)   Gia told friends that she believed Newton didn’t really like her.  She gigglingly reported his stunned expression when she referred to him to his face as “Daddy-o”. ~Thing of Beauty

“Gia and Bitten were the stars, so they got to wear all these fabulous clothes while Karina and I were dressed as men. I remember sharing my anxiety with Gia. Her response was ‘Oh, I’d love to be doing what you’re doing. I’d love to be wearing the men’s clothes!’ I said ‘You can say that because you’ve got twenty covers. I don’t have any of that yes.’ She seemed to understand and was very supportive.” ~Robin Osler, Born This Way.

Yves Saint Laurent campaign.
Albert Watson photographer.