Gilles Bensimon


Gilles Francis Charles Bensimon is a French fashion photographer and the former International Creative Director of Elle magazine. He has also been the photographer on the reality television series America's Next Top Model.

Early life

Bensimon was born in Vic-sur-Cère in Cantal, France. He had advanced dyslexia so his mother said if he did something in art he could express himself better. Living in Paris, France, he joined French Elle in 1967. Two years later Bensimon helped launch American Elle, for which he later photographed Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Rachel Williams, Honor Fraser, Yasmin Le Bon, Elle Macpherson, and Beverly Peele.

Career

During his tenure as International Creative Director and Head Photographer of Elle magazine, Bensimon's vision reached an estimated 20 million readers worldwide. He is known as a celebrity photographer, with a portfolio consisting of leading models and celebrities, including Schiffer, Campbell, Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Nadège du Bospertus, Gisele Bündchen, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sharon Stone, Keira Knightley, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Halle Berry and Uma Thurman. His commercial clients range from Kohl's to Saks Fifth Avenue and Maybelline to Clarins.

Personal Life

Giles Bensimone shares 1 child with his first wife, Pascha. The marriage ended in divorce before a short lived marriage to actress Elle Macpherson. He was wed a third time in 1997 to Kelly Killoren. They share 2 children, Thaedus and Sea Bensimone. The marriage ended in divorce 10 years later in 2007.