Acne launches the Snowdon Blue project

Acne has lauched a book with British photographer Lord Snowdon, who, throughout his 40 year career, has kitted out his famous sitters in a uniform palette of blue shirts

(Image credit: Lord Snowdon)

By Apphia Michael

last updated 27 October 2022

Acne Studios' latest undertaking is a study in the colour blue, or blue shirts to be precise. The Swedish brand has published its first book - a collection of portraits taken by Antony Armstrong-Jones (or Lord Snowdon, as he is better known), for which all his subjects have donned his famous 'blue' uniform.

The charismatic London-born photographer, who married Princess Margaret in 1960, has fixed his lens on practically every world notable from the Queen, Princess Diana and Tony Blair to Manolo Blahnik, Yves Saint Laurent and Serge Gainsbourg. Through the course of his 40-year career, the tonal palette of shirts has been a constant fixture.

‘The blue shirt is anonymous and yet kind of a uniform’, explains Snowdon, who kept a small pile of the garments in varying shades and textures in his studio, ready for his subjects to throw on. Featuring 61 of these portraits, the book, entitled 'Snowdon Blue', is accompanied by a travelling exhibition - beginning in London's Mayfair shop, followed by Paris, New York and Stockholm.

Also in the mix is a limited-edition collection of eight shirts (in blue, of course) – an homage to those worn by the famous subjects in Snowdon’s portraits.

The project continues Snowdon's relationship with the Swedish fashion brand, which began in 2007, when he was commissioned to shoot a series of portraits of students and teachers at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design for Acne Paper.

The Snowdon Blue book, limited-edition signed prints and shirt collection are available to buy in all Acne stores worldwide and through Snowdon-review.com.

Entitled 'Snowdon Blue', the book is accompanied by a travelling exhibition. Displayed on a giant pinboard, Snowdon's portraits line the walls of Acne Studio's Mayfair shop

Images of Ian McKellen in 1964 and 1991 — Comprising 61 portraits taken by Snowdon throughout his career, the book was designed by Tomas Perrson, Acne Paper's creative director. Pictured, is Ian McKellen in 1964 and 1991

Image of Yves Saint Laurent — Yves Saint Laurent, Paris, 1980

Also released is a limited-edition run of signed prints, ranging in price from £20 to £1200. Pictured here is Snowdon's portrait of Serge Gainsbourg

View of Snowdon Blue exhibition — The travelling exhibition is holding court in the London's Mayfair shop before moving on to Paris, New York and Stockholm

Interior view of snowdon blue exhibition — The charismatic London-born photographer, who married Princess Margaret in 1960, has fixed his lens on practically every world notable from the Queen, Princess Diana and Tony Blair to the likes of Manolo Blahnik, Yves Saint Laurent and Serge Gainsbourg

Limited-edition collection of eight shirts — Also in the mix, is a limited-edition collection of eight shirts (in blue, of course) – a nod to those worn by the famous subjects in Snowdon’s portraits

Mannequin wearing light blue shirt — Exhibition view of Snowdon Blue

Shirt from silk light grey and light blue — The shirts range in finishes and designs - from silk light grey and light blue, to a 'pyjama' and demin version

Cabaret artist Jonny Woo — Snowdon has also created eight new portraits to tie in with the launch of Project Snowdon, featuring the likes of cabaret artist Jonny Woo (pictured here)

Artist Darren Cunningham — All eight subjects of Snowdon's new series of portraits, including artist Darren Cunningham (pictured here), are photographed wearing shirts from the Acne Snowdon shirt collection

Photo of Jeremy Irons — Jeremy Irons, London, 1992

Photo of Sybille Bedford — Sybille Bedford, London, 2001

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