Annie Leibovitz’s ‘Women’ Book Delves into Modern Femininity
Gloria Steinem, journalist, advocate for women’s rights, New York City, 2015. (Photo: Annie Leibovitz)
For Annie Leibovitz, there may be no subject as richly rewarding as women. “Women are a work in progress,” the photographer stated in a 2016 interview with the New York Times. “I’ll be capturing these photographs until my last breath.” If the task of photographing women is perpetually evolving, then Phaidon’s reissue of her 1999 masterpiece, Women, is a daring extension of that goal.
Presented as a slipcased collection, the 2025 edition combines Leibovitz’s original 1999 book with a new volume featuring photographs from 1993 up to the present. Altogether, both books encompass more than 250 portraits that reveal women in educational settings and coal mines; lounging on green fields and striking poses on urban streets; participating in baseball and track; and at their desks, ready to draft architectural blueprints or an essay. And, considering Leibovitz’s acclaim, it comes as no shock that numerous images focus on pioneers and icons. Throughout, readers encounter Rihanna in the Ritz Hotel in Paris, expectant and draped over a turquoise sofa. We are given a glimpse into journalist and activist Gloria Steinem’s New York apartment, her desk cluttered with books and documents. A breathtaking, black-and-white portrait of Louise Bourgeois shows her with eyes closed, extending a wrinkled hand toward the lens. Other images feature Malala Yousafzai, Billie Eilish, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Queen Elizabeth II, Oprah Winfrey, and many others.
Undoubtedly, these are extraordinarily personal views into the lives and characters of some of the world’s most prominent figures. Yet, what truly makes Women captivating is its equal emphasis on ordinary moments. One photograph, for example, captures the Girls Choir of Harlem perched on the steps of an apartment building, their faces vibrant and shining. It is not only a touching image, but it also does not assume that celebrity is a prerequisite for being photographed by Leibovitz. One scene depicts Californian farmer Karen Fedrau caring for her crops, while another illustrates a home-care worker and her sister just outside a Texas convenience store.
In Leibovitz’s imagery, it is evident that the concept of “woman” or “womanhood” is as broad as it is unique. Numerous narratives unfold throughout Women, each imbued with the same level of respect. The essays featured in both volumes confirm this notion, authored by esteemed writers including Susan Sontag, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Steinem.
“Annie’s images insisted that women be acknowledged,” Steinem contends. “Women isn’t merely a collection of women; it’s a chronicle of our era, with women represented. It serves as a documentation of the individuals captured, and the settings they flourish in—from chaotic kitchens to ocean vistas, women occupying space with confidence and elegance.”
Women: Annie Leibovitz is now accessible for purchase on Bookshop and through Phaidon’s website.
Now released by Phaidon, Women: Annie Leibovitz presents a bold examination of women, their experiences, identities, and the narratives they share through time.
“Women: Annie Leibovitz,” published by Phaidon on November 4, 2025.
Portrait of Annie Leibovitz, New York City, 2012. (Courtesy Annie Leibovitz)
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My Modern Met has been granted permission to showcase photos by Phaidon.
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