There are some invitations that feel less like an event and more like a passage through time. This April, I’ll be stepping into the quiet elegance of Sydney’s Art+ Gallery for an evening that celebrates one of the greatest love stories in photography, both on and off the camera.
I’m joining Françoise Kirkland for an exclusive dinner to mark the launch of her deeply moving new book, ROMANCE. The night serves as a prelude to a two-week exhibition of her late husband Douglas Kirkland’s work, timed perfectly as the world begins to look toward what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday.
Douglas Kirkland wasn’t just a photographer; he was a dreamer who refused to let the world grow cynical. Françoise often quotes the French proverb, “Quand on aime, on a toujours vingt ans”, when one loves, one is forever twenty.
That youthful, heartbeat-skipping-a-beat energy is the soul of ROMANCE. Curated by Françoise in the quiet reflection following Douglas’s passing in 2022, the book is a “love letter” to his life’s work. It’s a collection that moves from the high-octane glamour of Hollywood’s golden age to the tender, anonymous moments of connection he caught when no one was looking.
To understand why this exhibition is a “must-see,” you have to look at how Douglas didn’t just take pictures, he “made magic” by building intimacy in a matter of minutes.
Marilyn Monroe: The Girl in the White Sheets (1961)
Perhaps his most famous assignment, this shoot was for Look magazine’s 25th anniversary. A then 27-year-old Douglas was terrified to meet the world’s biggest icon. He set the stage with nothing but a bed, white silk sheets, and Frank Sinatra playing on the record player.
The Moment: Douglas climbed onto a balcony to shoot directly down at her. Marilyn, sensing his nerves, took charge. She shed her clothes, wrapped herself in the silk, and “flirted” with the lens. The result wasn’t just a photo; it was a portrait of a woman at her most ethereal and joyful. It remains the definitive image of Marilyn, not as a pin-up, but as a dream.
Coco Chanel: Three Weeks at the Ritz (1962)
Shortly after Marilyn, Douglas was sent to Paris to shadow the formidable Coco Chanel. At 79, she was notoriously difficult, but the young, polite Canadian won her over.
The Story: He lived with her for three weeks, capturing her in her private apartment at the Ritz and her atelier. He caught her with her signature hat firmly on, scissors hanging from a ribbon around her neck, perpetually working. His photos revealed the “Mademoiselle” behind the brand—vulnerable, tireless, and fiercely independent.
The dinner at Art+ Gallery won’t just be about looking at old photos; it’s about the legacy Françoise continues to guard from their home in the Hollywood Hills. With an introduction by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, the book ROMANCE is a testament to the fact that while Douglas may be gone, the way he saw the world, with wonder, intimacy, and love is immortal.
The Details for Your Diary:
- The Exhibition: 22 April – 6 May at Art+ Gallery, Sydney.
- The Book: ROMANCE by Damiani Books ($150 AUD for signed copies).
- Public Event: Book signing and “In Conversation” with Françoise Kirkland on 22 April.
I’ll be sharing a behind-the-scenes look at our dinner and my chat with Françoise very soon. Until then, tell me, if you could have your portrait taken by any legendary photographer, who would it be?
