If there’s one thing, and one thing only, that productivity vortex Instagram is good for, it’s finding incredible imagery. So, in 2020, it’s time to unfollow @fuckjerry — all the good memes are on Twitter anyway — and instead enjoy its original purpose; unearthing brilliant photographers that offer your feed something truly original .
Corinne Day Official
Some of the late Corinne‘s pioneering photography is archived on this Instagram, spanning her work capturing supermodels for Vogue to the Polish fans of Pearl Jam moshing at a gig.
David Armstrong Archive
Famed for his work capturing the fringes of American society, David’s photography is just as alive on this archive account.
Vinca Petersen
A model-turned-photographer like her friend Corinne, Vinca’s wild shots of 90s illegal raves are just some of the vibrant stories she worked on.
Juergen Teller Page
The ultimate go-to for photography from the venerable German photographer. You’ll be amazed at how many familiar shots were Jurgen’s.
The People’s Archive
A submissions-based Instagram documenting the everyday life of post-millennium Britain, when cameras weren’t as ubiquitous or pervasive in normal life.
David Sims
Mixing together his recent work with his expansive archive, David‘s Instagram is the ultimate necessity for those seeking 90s references. Just like in this picture from Joe McKenna’s short-lived namesake magazine.
OMC
An impeccable selection of late 70s and early 80s fashion imagery.
Ad Archives
Cataloguing the eclectic mix of print adverts that used to appear in style magazines like i-D and Dazed.
The Red List
This account mixes art and film stills into the mix with shots from and of the last century’s most revered creative minds.
Peter Lindbergh
Updated by his team since his passing last September, Peter‘s archive is unbeaten if you’re looking for awe-inspiring, maximalist fashion photography.
Joel Meyerowitz
The street photography pioneer’s account is regularly updated with his effortless, joyful images on the streets of NYC and beyond from the last 60 years.
90s moments
Wolfgang Tillmans, Nick Knight, Paolo Roversi, Steven Meisel… the whole crew’s here.
Exactitudes
Though the account hasn’t been updated for a while, the Dutch duo Exactitudes have pretty meticulously archived their beloved long term-art project that looks to find the similarities in all of us.
Peter Hujar
For all your black-and-white devastatingly beautiful and tragic photography needs.
053 archives
A small but charming account with a particular love of striking models.
James Chester
Another mix of different art-forms, from fashion to art and film, to provide infinite inspiration and references.
Penny Calder
An incredibly detailed and comprehensive archive of old issues of Vogue, Tatler and Harper’s Bazaar.
The Costume Institute Library
Everything taken from The Metropolitan Museum of Art — which we imagine probably has one of the most extensive libraries of fashion books, magazines, catalogues, scrapbooks and more in the world — this account is a little peek behind the curtain.
Prada Archives
This has everything, runway, editorial, campaigns and even behind the scenes at fittings.
The Irving Penn Foundation
Ensuring Irving’s legacy lives on, The Irving Penn Foundation celebrates the work of a genius.