Primped and preened to perfection: The ladies of Beverley Hills caught unaware as they sit in their cars on Rodeo Drive

With snapshots furtively taken through the windows of cars parked on Rodeo Drive, photographer Michael Butler has offered viewers a glimpse into the privileged lives of California’s elite.
The Los-Angeles based photographer staked out the iconic four-block shopping destination in the heart of Beverly Hills, taking pictures of glamorous, perfectly coiffed and extravagantly attired women - and a few men - as they sat in their cars.
The series of photos allows the spectators to peek into the private lives of wealthy strangers as the drive by, separated from us mere mortals both physically - by steel and glass - and metaphorically – by an aura of unapproachability.

Ready for close-up: Los Angeles-based photographer Michael Butler staked out Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, taking pictures of privileged and well-dressed women - and some men- as they drove by

Drinking it all in: Butler stealthy took pictures of more than a dozen women as they sat in their cars

Grand dames: Butler's immaculately coiffed and accessorized subjects look aloof, unsmilingly staring at the road

One percenters: Both women and men making their way along the 4-block stretch of Rodeo Drive appear distant and in no way connected to the general public - the 99 per cent

Fired up: This stranger in oversize sunglasses puffing on a cigarette caught Butler's eye on Rodeo Drive

Most of the women in Butler's poignant snapshots are bleached blondes sporting oversize designer sunglasses that hide their eyes from view, their manicured digits gleaming with diamonds and precious metals. 

 

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More than one of the alluring motorists, middle aged and more mature, bear the unmistakable marks of plastic surgeries past, such as artificially smooth cheeks and collagen-enhanced painted lips.

Guarded: Mr Butler explained that the wealthy women distance themselves from the public as they sit cloistered in their vehicles

Smooch: This fabulous Beverly Hills dweller apparently decided to acknowledge the photographer by bestowing an air kiss upon him

Forever young: Some of the women of Beverly Hills bear the marks of plastic surgeries past

Odd man out: This middle-aged gentleman who found himself in the middle of the exclusive shopping district is apparently no stranger to plastic surgery

Butler's women of Rodeo Drive appear aloof, unsmilingly staring at the road, talking on a cell phone or sipping iced coffee through a straw.
On his website, Mr Butler explained that his exalted subjects distance themselves from the plebeians as they sit cloistered in their plush vehicles, which represent their moneyed microcosm of privilege.
'We have been given a momentary glimpse into a world we are not supposed to see,' he writes. ‘We are not neutral observers here... nor are we supposed to be.' 

Peek: 'We have been given a momentary glimpse into a world we are not supposed to see,' Butler writes

High and mighty: The wealthy motorists are separated from mere mortals both physically - by steel and glass - and metaphorically ¿ by an aura of unapproachability

Golden girls: Most of the ladies in the snapshots are glamorous bleached blondes so typical of California