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The exhibition titled Out of Style showcases Zsuzsa Schäffer’s black-and-white fashion photographs taken between 1990 and 2001. Born in 1944, the artist initially intended to become a painter and earned her degree at the Academy of Fine Arts. However, her interest turned to photography in the late 1970s, and her dedication to analog techniques continues to shape her creative approach to this day.

These fashion photographs were primarily taken in the artist’s studio or in natural settings around Budapest, away from the artificiality often seen in conventional fashion photography. Schäffer did not study contemporary fashion trends; instead, she drew upon her own sensitivity and unique vision. Many of her models were introduced to her by her partner, who worked as an advertising photographer, and these images were frequently created during breaks in his work.

The photo titled Judit, 1990, displayed here, earned Zsuzsa Schäffer the Grand Prize in the "Personal Exploration" category at the 2nd International Festival of Fashion Photography held in the 1990s (jury members: Jean-Paul Gaultier, Horst P. Horst, Sarah Moon). The festival attracted representatives from leading global magazines and renowned photographers. Despite the international acclaim, Schäffer decided not to pursue fashion photography in her later work. Instead, she shifted her focus to portrait, urban, and still life photography.

Her fashion photographs are defined by a distinct perspective, sensitive observation, and refined attention to detail. Her images capture the beauty of transience while revealing the human presence that exists beneath the surface of fashion. Consequently, the images showcased in the exhibition not only document garments and trends but also express the strength of personality.

This exhibition is particularly noteworthy, as many of the featured works have never been shown to the public before. Since Schäffer’s work transcends the conventions of classic fashion photography, the twenty images on view at PaperLab Gallery offer an alternative view of 1990s fashion photography: rather than glamorizing the surface, these photographs emphasize mood, naturalness, and intimate connections. The exhibition serves as a reminder that while the passage of time is inevitable, the discovery and preservation of beauty remain timeless.

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