Rico Puhlmann (1934-1996) Elegant and courtly, the Berlin-born Puhlmann put the gentleman in Gentlemen's Quarterly, introducing a new vernacular of relaxed, graceful body language. He liked his models to sit or slouch rather than stand bolt upright. Rico Phulmann, Barry McKinley and Bruce Weber created a new style of fashion photography that, in one fell swoop, streamlined and modernized the American Man.

Richard Georg Willi Puhlmann was born in Berlin, and had an early career as a child film star. After training at Berlin's Academy of Fine Arts, he entered the field of fashion illustration, establishing himself immediately as a gifted draughtsman.

A childhood interest in photography, however, inspired Puhlmann to launch a second career. As a result, German fashion magazines of the mid- to late-1950s were filled with Puhlmann's drawings and photographs, often in dynamic combinations. His talents soon brought him to the attention of French Vogue, which first published his imagery in 1958.

By 1970, Rico Puhlmann was the most prolific fashion photographer in Germany, working for dozens of newspapers and magazines. For one issue of the women's magazine, Constanza, he contributed all the photographs a total of 251, including the cover.

Despite his success in Europe, Puhlmann recognized that New York was the fashion capital of the world, and immigrated there in the early 70s. His talents were quickly recognized by the editors at Glamour, and thus began a long and fruitful chapter of his career. Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Gentleman's Quarterly, Fashions of the Times, and American Vogue were principal clients of his in the United States, while German, Swiss, and Italian magazines continued to publish his contributions.

The artistry of Rico Puhlmann, fashion photographer, illustrator, and occasional filmmaker and designer, spanned more than 40 years, he worked with most of the top models, stylists and designers in the fashion industry.

Rico Puhlman died in a fatal accident in July 1996.