Willie Christie
William Lawrence Christie (born 14 November 1948) is a British fashion photographer and film director. Early life Christie was born in 1948. He left Eton aged 17. At 19 he worked on Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor's yacht, Kalizma for a month, before working, aged 19, as assistant to fashion photographer David Anthony. In 1973 he appeared on Top of the Pops 'playing' bass with Roxy Music. Fashion photography In 1969 he was asked by the journalist BP Fallon to photograph the Rolling Stones who were rehearsing in the Beatles' Apple Studios for their concert in Hyde Park following the death of Brian Jones. Clive Arrowsmith took him under his wing later that year. He stayed for a year whilst Clive worked for UK Vogue and others. Christie met his future wife, Grace Coddington during this period. In 1970 Christie went freelance as a photographer. Commissions were slow but over the next three years he built a portfolio with work from Harpers Queen, Honey and Over 21 amongst others. Christie continued photographing both fashion and celebrities. Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr and Grace Jones being just three. He produced portraits for David Bowie, Cliff Richards, King Crimson and many more.