Born in Poland in 1942 as Armin Hagen Freiherr von Hoyningen-Huene, Peter Berlin is a relative of the celebrated fashion photographer George Hoyningen-Huene (1900-1968). Raised in Germany, Peter Berlin received post-secondary education as a photo-technician, and in his early 20s worked as a celebrity portraitist for German television. However, it was around this time that he curiously began designing and sewing his own skin-tight clothing which he would wear as he cruised the parks and train stations in Berlin, Rome, Paris, New York, and San Francisco. After several long-term stays on the east coast of the United States, Peter Berlin eventually moved to San Francisco in 1969, and became a fixture on the steep streets with his signature look and perpetual posing. He soon began producing films and starred in the now iconic “Nights in Black Leather” (1973), co-directed by Richard Abel. Berlin then produced, directed, and starred in “That Boy” the following year, and made four shorter films through the mid- to late-1970s, while publishing and selling his photographic self portraits. Peter Berlin was the subject of several Robert Mapplethorpe photographs, three drawings by Tom of Finland, and at least one portrait by Andy Warhol, attesting to his worldwide celebrity.
Peter Berlin (b. 1942)

Self Portrait in Black Leather

Self Portrait in Black Cap

Double Self Portrait

Self Portrait in Nature

Self Portrait in Black Leather I

Self Portrait in Black Leather ll

Self Portrait on the Piers I

Self Portrait on the Piers ll

Self Portrait in White Jumpsuit on the Piers

Self Portrait as Urban Cowboy

Self Portrait as Sailor

Double Self Portrait in Blue Jeans

Double Self Portrait with Whip

Double Self Portrait with Whip ll

Double Self Portrait with Leather Cap

Self Portrait in Black Mesh Tank Top

Self Portrait in Blue Shorts

Behind Steel Door

Self Portrait in Black Leather Jacket

Self Portrait in Sunglasses

Self Portrait by Tree

Early Morning Self Portrait in Sunlight

Self Portrait with Nikon Camera

Self Portrait in Biking Cap

Self Portrait on the Roof of The Ansonia

Self Portrait in White Pants on the Piers

Self Portrait in Black Tank Top on the Piers

Self Portrait in Silver Pants

Self Portrait in Green Pants

Double Self Portrait with Red Bandana

Double Self Portrait with Whip I

Double Self Portrait with Whip II

Double Self Portrait with Whip III

Self Portrait at the Piers with Sailor Hat

Self Portrait on the Roof of the Ansonia (Leather Pants)

Self Portrait on the Roof of the Ansonia (White Pants)

Self Portrait on the Subway

Double Self Portrait in Blue Jeans

Triple Self Portrait