Steven Meisel and Juergen Teller.
Steven Meisel is a cult figure in the world offashion photography, renowned for his cinematic approach and meticulous attention to detail. It all began when he graduated from Parsons The New School for Design with a master's degree in fashion illustration, gaining entry into the world of fashion. Starting as an illustrator for Halston, Meisel taught drawing part-time at Parsons and never initially considered that he would not only become a photographer but one of the most popular ones.
Meisel’s creative journey took off with Madonna’s Like a Virgin album cover (1984), which became not only a symbol of pop culture but also an emblem of liberation and feminine power. Nearly a decade later, he created another provocative work, this time a full photo book titled Sex (1992). In it, Meisel explored taboo themes of sexuality and power through bold images featuring not only his beloved Madonna but also supermodel Naomi Campbell, gay porn star Joey Stefano, actor Udo Kier, and rappers Big Daddy Kane and Vanilla Ice. The work provoked a storm of controversy, but perhaps that was the point: the book was a response to societal homophobia, conservative attitudes toward sex and sexuality, and perceptions of the human body.