Fashion photography often exists as commercial imagery, yet it serves as a portal into new worlds of identity and beauty. In July, a panel of experts convened at the New York Times building to select the 25 most influential fashion photographs of the past century. The group included stylist Ian Bradley, model Linda Evangelista, designer Cate Holstein, photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, and creative director Patrick Li.

They debated roughly 60 nominated images spanning 100 years. Disagreements arose regarding inclusion criteria, such as Evangelista’s objection to a Joseph Szabo portrait and Matadin’s accidental elimination of an album cover. While diversity was considered, the selections largely orbit global fashion capitals — New York, London, Milan, Paris, and Tokyo — with a heavy emphasis on New York.

The final list, presented in discussion order rather than rank, reflects the personal experiences and moods of the judges. Ultimately, the panel agreed that fashion photography is about far more than clothes, provoking thought on style and society. Whether viewed as art or frivolity, these images shape cultural conversations around beauty and status.