Sofitel Luxury Hotels Shows Exclusive Exhibition by Photographer Gilles Bensimon, Beginning Today

Launching today, March 8th, 2013, in time for International Women's Day, Sofitel Luxury Hotels will join the celebration of women with Elles by Gilles Bensimon, a traveling photo exhibit capturing some of the esteemed French fashion photographer's best work. An exclusive collection of 25 photos honoring famous women from the arts & entertainment industry, the exhibit will launch at Sofitel New York before traveling across the United States to Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, and Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. The exhibit will be open to all hotel guests and visitors.

"As an international ambassador of French culture, Sofitel has a tradition of working with supremely talented architects, designers, artists and photographers across the globe. I am delighted to launch this latest exhibition in collaboration with Gilles Bensimon," says Dominique Colliat, who has just beenappointed Senior Vice-President for Sofitel Americas.

From Catherine Deneuve captured in a luxurious Parisian hotel to portraits of Audrey Hepburn, Charlize Theron, Cindy Crawford, Beyonce and many others, the exhibition highlights Gilles Bensimon's most influential works, never before displayed in the United States.

As one of the most accomplished and well-known fashion photographers in the world, Bensimon has dedicated his iconic career photographing exceptional women to reveal their natural grace, poetry and inner beauty. In his own words, "I like to take my pictures fast. Fly on the wall! As if not working..."

Born in Paris, France, he joined French ELLE in 1967 before participating in the launch of the US version. His images have appeared on countless covers of the magazine, ostensibly establishing the visual language still in use by the brand today. This nearly 30-year collaboration has allowed Mr. Bensimon's work to be seen by over 20 million readers across six continents.

Elles By Gilles Bensimon will be touring four Sofitel properties in 2013: