In 1976, Jim Britt photographed his two daughters at their home in Los Angeles. Shot in black and white, one resulting image – which would later be known as ‘Sisters’ – captured 12-year old Jody and 11-year old ‘Mimi’ Melendy in an ecstatic fit of laughter, both proudly baring their matching braces.
Twelve years later, in 1988, a representative from Comme des Garçons discovered the ‘Sisters’ image in People magazine and asked to licence it for a campaign. Published for AW88, this unassuming family photograph quickly became immortalised in fashion history: unstaged, joyful and flawed, everything fashion advertising normally wasn‘t.
A new book, SISTERS by Jim Britt, 1976 tells the unknown story behind its creation and showcases the never-before-seen images taken during the same photo session. The book features: a 24-page document of unpublished outtakes, a two-sided poster, new interviews from sisters Jody and Melendy, and of course, words from Jim Britt.
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