Stunning Fashion Photography by Kourken Pakchanian From the Early 1970s

Born 1934 in Lebanon of Armenian parentage, and raised in Egypt, American fashion photographer Kourken Pakchanian was taught by his father, a professional portrait photographer, the technical side of photography starting with developing and retouching. In the early 1960s, he emigrated to New York to pursue what would become a very successful career as a fashion photographer.

Pakchanian’s photography graced the pages of prestigious publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker. Notable features include his 1972 Vogue spreads like “The Sweatery Suits” and “The New York Collections: Easy, Racy, All of the Tone – The Essences of Fashion for Day,” which showcased models like Katalin Kállay, Susanne Schöneborn, and Jane Hitchcock.

Today, Pakchanian’s work is celebrated by collectors and fashion enthusiasts. His legacy endures in the world of fashion photography, remembered for his ability to blend high fashion with artistic expression. These stunning photos are part of Kourken Pakchanian’s fashion portrait series featuring classic beauties from the early 1970s.

Samantha Jones at the door of a helicopter in a short bare dress by Chester Weinberg, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, US Vogue, July 1972

Apollonia Van Ravenstein wearing a lurex suit in a colorful mosaic print, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 15, 1972

Apollonia Van Ravenstein wearing tattersall trenchcoat by Tom Fallon, with large sunglasses and chambray turban by Don Anderson for Scheer Bros, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, 1972

Emanuelle and Susan Schoenberg cycling in headscarves, bodysuits, socks and sneakers, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 1972

Emanuelle and Susan Schoenberg wearing checked shirtdresses at Hialeah, Florida, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, May 1972

Model Pola (Paula Klimak) wearing Revlon nail polish and R.F. Clark for William de Lillo earrings by a typewriter, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, June 1972

Model wearing a Stella Fagin dressing gown, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, May 1972

Model wearing beige crêpe shirt and jewelry from Halston Limited, Ultra Violet nail polish by Revlon, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, 1972

Models walking in front of the seagrams building in New York City, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, US Vogue, September 1, 1972

Regine Jaffrey wearing Revlon nail polish, smoking while using a telephone, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, June 1972

Shelley Smith from “The One bag Traveler”, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, April 15, 1972

Susan Schoenberg and Apollonia van Ravenstein wearing a blue dyed chinchilla short blouson, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 15, 1972

Susan Schoenberg in a Donald Brooks coat with Sibley & Coffee shirt, Bill Smith for Sequel pants, Donald Marshall hat, David Evins shoes and Deco jewels by Cartier, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 15, 1972

Susan Schoenberg in Christian Dior, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 15, 1972

Susan Schoenberg in Pierre Cardin, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, US Vogue, September 1, 1972

Susan Schoenberg walking with an umbrella by Givenchy, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 1, 1972

Beverly Johnson with Saints Mark and Matthew, Brasilia, Brazil, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, 1973

Beverly Johnson, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, December 1973

Charly Stember wearing a chiffon blouse tied at the waist and dark, worsted skirt by John Anthony, with a dark felt hat pulled over one eye by Don Anderson, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, January 1973

Cheryl Tiegs in Halston dress, standing-before the towers of congress Brazil, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, US Vogue, December 1973

Cheryl Tiegs wearing a Blassport skirt on a balcony in Bahia, Brazil, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, December 1973

Cheryl Tiegs wearing a Gene Berk shirt dress on Park Avenue, New York City, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 1973

Cheryl Tiegs wearing a tweed overcoat and holding a Bottega Veneta bag, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 1973

Chris O’Connor, and unknown model standing at a bar counter smoking and drinking coffee, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, US Vogue, February 1973

Emanuelle wearing a Belle Saunders coat, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 1973

Fashion photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, February 1973

Karen Graham wearing a striped Neil Bieff dress by a Trova sculpture in the Hokin Gallery, Florida, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, September 1973

Karen Graham, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, April 1973

Model in Sonia Rykiel, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, March 1973

Shelley Smith wearing ribbed turtleneck and matching sweater jacket by Jane justin for Don Sports, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, US Vogue, August 1973

Yasmine Sokal wearing a patterned dress by Mario Forte for Rona, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, December 1973