Karl Stoecker - "London 1973, The New Romantics"

Karl Stoecker, born in Brooklyn and based in Miami, worked in London from 1966 to 1975, where his photographs were published in Vogue, Nineteen, and Harper’s Bazaar. Karl produced album covers for Bryan Ferry’s band Roxy Music, which pioneered some of the more sophisticated elements of "Glam Rock,” the style of rock music that developed in the UK in the early 70’s famous for its outrageous costumes, makeup, and hairstyles, particularly platform shoes and glitter. Artists of the Glam Rock tradition include David Bowie, Sweet, Slade, Mud, and Gary Glitter, as well as Roxy Music. Though not central to the genre, Elton John, Queen’s Freddie Mercury, and Rod Stewart all adopted Glam Rock styles. Karl spent time surrounded by the Roxy Music circle, Manohlo Blahnik, designer Anthony Price, model Arnella Flynn (daughter of Errol Flynn) and others, resulting in Pop Art photographs that capture  London's "Glam" era. Portraits of  Anjelica Huston and Tina Chow, part of the Roxy set, are displayed in the exhibit. After the Glam Rock era, Karl moved back to New York, where he worked throughout the 80’s and 90’s in still photography for YSL, Lancome, and Oscar de la Renta.

The New Romantics also features the “Glam Pin-Ups,” a project Karl was shooting as a wink to the 40's Vargas pin-ups. The models are styled with retro 40's-inspired fashions designed by famed British designer Anthony Price and modeled by Gala Mitchell, the "It Girl" model of the day (favored by major English 60’s fashion designer Ossie Clark) and were shot from 1972 to 1974 on London’s St Michael’s Street. The Rock & Roll Album Cover Series showcases Bryan Ferry (lead singer and songwriter of Roxy Music) on the Roxy Music album cover "For Your Pleasure," Brian Eno (early Roxy band member and producer), as well as an outtake of the Sparks breakthrough album “Kimono My House.”