In 1960, photojournalist Ormond Gigli orchestrated a remarkable image by gathering 43 women, dressing them in elegant, vibrant attire, and positioning them in 41 windows of New York City brownstones. This photograph would later become his most iconic work.
At the time, Gigli operated out of a studio on East 58th Street in Manhattan. Directly across from his studio, a series of townhouses were slated for demolition. Determined to capture the beauty of these buildings before they were lost, he set out to create an unforgettable image to honor the neighborhood he cherished.
Lacking funds to hire professional models and without a budget for an unsponsored project, Gigli reached out to the building's foreman. He persuaded him to allow a two-hour window of time for the shoot and to clear out the window frames. He then contacted a modeling agency he had previously worked with, asking for volunteer models to participate in his 'dream' photograph. The models were instructed to wear their chosen outfits and arrive during their lunch break.
With the building stripped of electricity and gas, a large hole gaped on the sidewalk. Gigli, undeterred, requested permission from the city to park a Rolls Royce on the sidewalk for the necessary setup time. He then arranged the models, including his wife, coordinating their outfits as much as possible, across 30 windows. Some models dared to stand on the window ledges, while others framed themselves within the windows. With three additional models positioned on the street and one on the ground floor, the scene was complete.
The final photograph, taken from the fire escape of his studio, showcased action across five floors. The result was surreal, transforming the living women into vividly colored figures resembling dolls in a dollhouse. Each woman's posture and outfit hinted at her personality beyond the photograph's confines.
The richness of the image lies in its multifaceted appeal. It can be appreciated as a whole, a rhythmic composition of color and form, defined by the windows, human figures, and colorful dresses. Alternatively, viewers can explore its parts, each woman offering a glimpse into an intriguing story (Gigli’s wife is on the second floor, far right, and the demolition supervisor’s wife is on the third floor, third from the left).
Ormond Gigli’s recollection of the story, as shared with Time magazine, highlights his inspiration and meticulous planning: “In 1960, while a construction crew dismantled a row of brownstones across from my studio on East 58th Street, I was inspired to immortalize those buildings. I envisioned 43 women in formal dress adorning the windows of the skeletal facade. We had to secure city permissions quickly, arrange for models, which included celebrities, the demolition supervisor’s wife (third floor, third from left), my own wife (second floor, far right), and also arrange for the Rolls Royce to be parked on the sidewalk. Careful planning was essential as the photography had to be done during the workers’ lunch break.
The day before the buildings were demolished, the 43 women, dressed in their finest attire, entered the buildings, climbed the old stairs, and took their places in the windows. I directed the scene from my fire escape across the street, bullhorn in hand. Concerned for the models’ safety, as some posed on the crumbling sills, I guided the shoot. The photography proceeded as planned, fulfilling my fantasy and resulting in my most memorable self-assigned photograph. It has won international awards ever since.
Most professional photographers dream of having one signature image they are known for. 'Girls in the Windows' is mine.” Decades later, the image remains timeless, capturing the essence of the city in a brief, vibrant moment.
Who was Ormond Gigli?
Ormond Gigli was born in New York City in 1925. His father gave him his first camera during his teenage years. Gigli graduated from the School of Modern Photography in 1942 and served as a Navy photographer during World War II. He also spent time living a bohemian life in Paris.
Gigli’s career soared in 1952 when a LIFE editor commissioned him to shoot celebrity portraits and cover the Paris fashion shows. His work gained recognition when one of his photographs appeared in the center spread of the magazine, launching a fashion photography career that spanned over four decades.
Throughout his career, Gigli photographed numerous icons, including Sophia Loren, Anita Ekberg, John F. Kennedy, Gina Lollobrigida, Diana Vreeland, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, Louis Armstrong, Laurence Olivier, Alan Bates, and Richard Burton.
