In 1985—more than a decade before Sex and the City would transform her into global icon Samantha Jones—Kim Cattrall posed for acclaimed photographer Yoram Kahana, capturing a moment of poised elegance that hinted at the confident woman she would become. This photograph series, now celebrated as an emblematic portrait of ’80s sophistication, offers a fascinating window into Cattrall’s early career and emerging personal style.
An Early Icon in Black and White
At the time of the shoot, Cattrall had quietly built momentum in Hollywood. With credits in films like Porky’s (1982) and Police Academy (1984), she was still finding her footing among roles that leaned toward light comedy and populist flair. Yet, in Kahana’s stunning portraits—usually in monochrome—she appears commanding, composed, and unmistakably self-possessed.
Kahana, renowned for his ability to capture both subtle shockwaves and silent poise, framed Cattrall in a way that elevated her beyond youthful glamour. Each image in the series highlights her bone structure, the depth in her gaze, and an aloof confidence that would later define Samantha. The shoot felt like a quiet declaration: here was a woman ready to take control of her narrative—even before fame handed it to her.
A Pivotal Career Chapter
By 1985, Cattrall had already accumulated nearly ten years of steady acting work, moving through guest roles on popular shows like Columbo, Starsky & Hutch, and Charlie’s Angels First For Women. However, a key breakout was still on the way. She would soon star in Big Trouble in Little China (1986) and Mannequin (1987), roles that showcased her range—from empowered femme fatale to radiant romantic lead.
In Mannequin, she even performed intense body preparation to authentically embody a living statue—working with a sculptor and doing bodybuilding to mirror actual mannequins in posture and form. That level of commitment echoed Kahana’s artistic lens: perfection in pose, grounded in purpose.
Style Meets Substance—Three Decades Before
Kahana’s portraits of Cattrall from this era reflect cinematic presence more than mere prettiness. Her tailored wardrobe, thoughtful hand placement, and subtle smile suggest sophistication without regality—combatting the era’s tendency to box women into either femme fatale or ingénue.
This emerging aesthetic—ginger-toned lips, puffed sleeves, sharply lit cheekbones—helped lay the groundwork for her eventual embodiment of Samantha Jones, the fearless, glamorous PR guru whose voice defined a generation. Even then, you sense Cattrall negotiating her own narrative, consciously positioning herself not as the supporting eye candy, but a presence of power.
From Image to Icon
Cattrall’s arresting presence in Kahana’s 1985 shoot resonates decades later. Though best known for her role on Sex and the City, her earlier work—including the quietly influential Porky’s, Big Trouble in Little China, and Mannequin—showcases an actress evolving on her own terms.
Her acclaimed portrayal of Samantha Jones thrust her into the realm of television legend, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and the 2002 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Yet, even at her peak fame, fans and critics continued to reference early glam moments—like Kahana’s shoot—that captured a raw elegance.
More Than a Pretty Face
Beyond the aesthetic, Cattrall has remained fiercely independent in how she approached her career. Though some social media threads wondered if Samantha Jones had overshadowed earlier roles, many noted that her pre–Sex and the City career was more than substantial—Mannequin and Big Trouble in Little China had already made her a recognizable presence by the mid-1980s .
Fans on Reddit recollect her early work with fondness, recalling her confident persona decades before loose leather suits and phone sex scenes defined her television identity .
Why the 1985 Shoot Still Resonates
Kahana’s 1985 portraits endure because they are more than period pieces—they are glimpses of intention. In those photographs, Cattrall looks both guarded and fearless, glamorous yet accessible. Perhaps most notable is the absence of superficial softness. Instead, the images suggest a woman who knows she deserves more than beautiful lighting—she demands agency.
That subtle tension—between vulnerability and resolve—is exactly what Sex and the City would later broadcast to global audiences. But Kahana captured it first, in stillness.
Final Thought: A Portrait of Possibility
Looking at that iconic shoot in context, we see the emergence of someone beyond a photographic muse—a woman claiming her power quietly, fully, years before Hollywood granted her primetime fame. Today, at nearly 69, Kim Cattrall still enters a room with presence; she attends Paris Fashion Week and supports creative new series, all while staying true to her voice and standards Vogue.
Kahana’s artistry gifted us more than a series of glam shots—it gifted a moment frozen in creative promise. In those images, we don’t just see Kim Cattrall—we see everything she was about to become.