Before the platform boots and global fame, Geri Halliwell was a young woman with a dream, captured through the lens of photographer Soulla Petrou. A recently resurfaced photoshoot from 1994 offers a glimpse into the future Spice Girl’s early ambition and stylistic experimentation, showcasing a striking image of Halliwell channeling the iconic sci-fi character Barbarella. This early work, predating the Spice Girls’ breakthrough hit “Wannabe” by two years, reveals a collaborative spirit and a willingness to explore different personas, a foundation that would later define her stage presence.
Petrou, a celebrated photographer whose work has been acquired by the V&A Museum, recalls the shoot as a creative partnership with a then-unknown Halliwell. The session, styled by a friend of Petrou’s, drew inspiration from strong female leads in 1960s and 70s television and film – figures like Wonder Woman and the detectives of Charlie’s Angels. The Barbarella-inspired look, featuring designs reminiscent of those created by Paco Rabanne, was set against a simple white backdrop in Petrou’s home, utilizing film processing techniques to achieve a distinctive, grainy aesthetic.
“I didn’t seek the photographs to look too ‘real’,” Petrou explained, describing her employ of cross-processing – a technique involving developing slide film in chemicals intended for color negatives – to create a supersaturated, textured quality. The shoot wasn’t limited to Barbarella; Petrou also captured Halliwell in looks inspired by the St Trinian’s films, including a playful image of her climbing out of a window. This period, Petrou notes, was characterized by a lack of PR interference, allowing for a genuine collaboration between photographer and subject.
The images from this early photoshoot weren’t immediately destined for widespread recognition. Six of them eventually appeared in Petrou’s book, Rewind, a collection of her 90s and 00s music photography. But, the photoshoot gained renewed attention when Halliwell herself spotted one of Petrou’s prints in a documentary. More recently, when Petrou shared the images on Instagram, Halliwell reposted them with a heartfelt message: “GIRL POWER 1994. I was dreaming of being a pop star and working multiple jobs. Keep following your dreams, you’ll never recognize where it will take you.”
Soulla Petrou’s career has spanned decades, marked by a commitment to experimentation and adaptation. Born in Leeds in 1964, she considers the acquisition of her image of Mis-Teeq by the V&A Museum for its permanent collection, as part of The Music Is Black: A British Story at the new V&A East Museum, a high point in her career. She has also been selected for the Taylor Wessing prize 2025 and will have her work exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery.
Petrou’s advice to aspiring photographers reflects her own journey: “Always keep learning and experimenting. Keep up to date with relevant lighting techniques and software programs. Having lived through enormous technological change, from film to digital, I would say, above all else, be adaptable.”
Photographs from Soulla Petrou’s book Rewind will be on display at Photo North in Leeds from March 13-15. The Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 25 is currently showing at the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield until May 10.
This early glimpse of Geri Halliwell, styled as Barbarella, serves as a potent reminder that even the biggest stars commence with a vision and a willingness to collaborate. As Petrou’s work continues to gain recognition, and Halliwell continues to evolve as an artist, these early images offer a fascinating look at the genesis of a pop culture icon.
What are your thoughts on this early photoshoot? Share your comments below and let us know what you think of this glimpse into Geri Halliwell’s pre-Spice Girls era!
