The Museum für Fotografie in Berlin presents a major retrospective dedicated to Rico Puhlmann (1934–1996), one of the most internationally acclaimed fashion photographers of the twentieth century.
Running from June 27, 2025, to February 15, 2026, the exhibition traces Puhlmann’s remarkable career, which spanned over four decades and helped shape the visual language of fashion.
Puhlmann began his journey in the world of fashion as an illustrator before moving into photography, where he quickly gained recognition for his cover shoots and editorial work with leading publications such as Constanze, Petra, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Fashions of the Times, and GQ.
His career took him from Berlin to New York, capturing iconic trends from post-war Berlin chic to the American Look of the 1970s. Puhlmann’s images reflect evolving dress codes, changing ideals of femininity and masculinity, and the shifting roles of women and men in society.
The exhibition also explores the context in which Puhlmann worked, highlighting the collaborative nature of the fashion media industry, including editing, layout, and journalistic writing. Tragically, Puhlmann’s influential career was cut short by a fatal plane crash, but his legacy endures through his enduring contributions to fashion photography.
Alongside his iconic photographs, the retrospective features original sketches, contact sheets, and personal notes, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at Puhlmann’s creative process. Special attention is given to his ability to capture not only the aesthetics of fashion but also the personalities and emotions of his subjects, making his work resonate far beyond the pages of glossy magazines.
Read more: https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/rico-puhlmann/
Source: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
