Horst Paul Albert Bohrmann, who chose to be known as Horst P. Horst, was born on 14 August 1906 in Weiβenfels-an-der-Saale, Germany. After an encounter with dancer Evan Weidemann during his adolescent years, Horst found an interest in avant-garde art. After studying at Hamburg in late 1920s, he soon moved to Paris and was taught by architect Le Corbusier. During his time in Paris, Horst became close with Vogue photographer Baron George Hoyningen-Huene; Horst became his lover and photographic assistant, soon his interests swayed from architecture towards photography.