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I spent the day with the lovely Justine Bateman at my home in Los Angeles. She was knitting and crocheting. Here she wears a pair of hot pants she knit. She was beautiful and fun. We shot a lot more than what the magazine requested, but that is usually what I do.

formerly Conrad Muhammadof the Islam Nation, photographed in Halem, NY

Rob Thomas lead singer for the band Matchbox Twenty photographed in his home for Glamour magazine.

Comedian Chris Rock

Photographed for Glamour magazine

I went to the industrial home of designer Rick Owens and Michele Lamy who at that point lived in an industrial commercial space across the street from Michele's restaurant in the heart of Hollywood. Although I still have the tear sheet, I can't remember what magazine gave me the assignment, but I do remember it was British. Michele Lamy is one of the most extreme eccentrics of fashion world, which is made up of eccentrics. She is best known as wife, muse and creative partner of fashion designer Rick Owens, but the French/Algerian has been a clothing designer, performer, film producer, and restaurateur. She was one of the emblematic figures of Los Angeles underground. She opened the famous cabaret-restaurant Les Deux Cafes in 1996 in a decrepit 1904 Arts and Crafts bungalow that she moved onto the parking lot on Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood. She worked Paul Fortune to turn the old bungalow into a magical space filled with plants, a fountain, outdoor fireplace and bar and french country ambiance. From 2000 to January 2004 on Monday nights she hosted a private party called Cachet thrown by Audrey Bernstein and Apple Via. I frequented it a lot when I was living the bi-coastal life between NY & LA. It was at Les Deux Cafe where I met most of my fabulous and inspiring LA friends. And it was those fantastic nights that inspired me to move permanently from NY to LA in 2002. Between 1997 and 2003 you could find Michele in her. Michel closed Les Deux after meeting Owens through his then-boyfriend and hired him as a pattern maker for her own line, Lamy. In 2003 Michele and Rick moved to a five-story live/work mansion in the Seventh Arrondissement in Paris where Rick worked for the luxury firm Revillon.

Diane Von Furstenberg photographed in her office on Washington Street in the West Village for Glamour Magazine by Deborah Jaffe. 

I went to Liberty University to shoot Jerry Falwell for John Kennedy’s George magazine.

It was a surreal experience.

Photographed for George magazine

Salvatore Ferragamo campaign

Wanda Sykes backstage at the Chris Rock show photographed for Glamour magazine.

Fashion Designer Geoffrey Beene photographed in his studio on 57th Street in New York City.

This was my first celebrity portrait. Joan Rivers, American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host and fashion designer, arrived a few hours late to Industria Studio in New York's West Village. I was so nervous. My friend and fellow photographer James Levine helped me set up the white background and do some polaroids while we waited. To be honest, when she arrived with her daughter, Melissa, and her lap dog, I got scared. I'm sorry to say that I was a little shocked to see her without her hair and makeup. But, a few hours later, she emerged from the dressing room as the beautiful Joan Rivers we know and love. She was one of the nicest people I have ever photographed. She asked me why I was still single and wanted to set me up with a nice Jewish man. She knew exactly how to pose in front of the camera. She moved like a 1950's model. When I got to close she whipped up her arm and put her hand in front of my lens. She would control exactly how close I could shoot her. She was a lot of fun and was so kind. I photographed her with her daughter Melissa as well. It was my first celebrity portrait and one of the most memorable. In the years to come I would bump into Joan on flight from NY to LA, and backstage at Live With Regis and Kelly show. She was always super friendly and at least pretended to remember me.

Thank you to the then Creative Director, Donald Robertson and then Editor-in-Chief, Bonnie Fuller , who incidently the team behind the American version of Marie Claire magazine, for giving me a chance.

Joan Rivers photographed in New York City for Glamour Magazine.

Photographed for Glamour magazine

Editor Jen Smith

1997 Salvatore Ferragamo Campaign actor James Le Gros

Deborah Jaffe captured the essence of empowerment and creativity with the stunning photographs of Diane Von Furstenberg captured in her West Village studio for Glamour Magazine’s esteemed Women of the Year feature. This collection encapsulates not only the iconic designer's bold vision but also her unwavering commitment to women's strength and independence.

Photographed for Glamour Magazine in Los Angeles at Smashbox Studios