Flo Fox (2x2 client #1): 30 Women Photographers and the Women Photographers Who Inspired Them. (Professional Women Photographers)
On the surface they seem an unlikely pair: Gigi Stoll is tall, slender and blond; Flo Fox is blue-haired and confined to a wheelchair. Stoll began her working life as a model, Fox as a seamstress. Then you get to know them, and realize they’re a lot alike: funny, adventurous, and dedicated to photography.
The hard knocks started early for Flo Fox. Her father died at thirty-eight, leaving three children and a pregnant wife. Her mother died of breast cancer when she was fourteen. During her late teenage years, Fox stayed with relatives, raised hell, and generally learned how to fend for herself.
She married early and for a time lived in the suburbs. She could have become a housewife, maybe even lived a regular life, but things didn’t work out that way. Instead she became a costume designer for the likes of Joe Papp and the Public Theater. With her first paycheck, bought a camera and has been taking pictures ever since.
Her humorous, gritty images have appeared in LIFE Magazine, and been exhibited in Paris, London, Barcelona and Mexico. A limited edition book, Asphalt Gardens, was published in 1981, and in the early 80s, she had her own slot on A&E, The Foto-Flo Show.
Around that time, Fox was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Already blind in one eye, it reduced sight in the other to blurs and shadows. But if outward sight has failed, her inner compass is strong. She is stylish, chipper and delightful, the center of attention in a large and ever-growing group of friends.
Gigi Stoll & Flo Fox ©C Kirkpatrick
Profile portrait taken in 1991 at Flo’s apt by laying our faces on her enlarger. Flo loves comparing our noses: “look at my big Jewish nose and your perfect, little Christian nose.”