Patrick Demarchelier (born August 21, 1943) is a French
fashion photographer.
Life
Born near
Paris in 1943 to a modest family, he spent his childhood in
Le Havre with his mother and four brothers. For his seventeenth birthday, his stepfather brought him his first
Eastman Kodak camera. Demarchelier learned how to develop film, retouch
negatives and began shooting friends and weddings.
In 1975, he left Paris for
New York to follow his girlfriend. He discovered
Fashion photography by working as a
Free lance Photographer and learning and working with
Photographers such as
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Terry King, and
Jacques Guilbert. His work drew the attention of
Elle,
Marie Claire and
20 Ans Magazine
He later worked for
Vogue and
Harper's Bazaar, first in September 1992 which resulted in a 12-year collaboration. Demarchelier shot international advertising campaigns for
Dior,
Louis Vuitton,
Celine,
TAG Heuer,
Chanel,
Yves Saint Laurent,
Lacoste,
Calvin Klein and
Ralph Lauren.
Demarchelier has lived in New York City since 1975. He is married to Mia and they have three sons. Since the late 1970s he has shot the covers for nearly every major fashion magazine including American, British and Paris
Vogue. He has also shot covers for
Rolling Stone,
Glamour,
Life,
Newsweek,
Elle and
Mademoiselle. He has photographed many advertising campaigns, including
Farrah Fawcett shampoo in 1978, the
Brooke Shields doll in 1982, Lauren by
Ralph Lauren, Cutty Sark, and a
Calvin Klein ad with Talisa Soto and
Giorgio Armani,
Chanel,
GAP,
Gianni Versace,
L'Oréal,
Elizabeth Arden,
Revlon,
Lancôme,
Gianfranco Ferré. He was also the primary photographer for the book On Your Own, a beauty/lifestyle guide written for young women by
Brooke Shields. Since 1992 he has worked with
Harper's Bazaar, becoming it's premier photographer. Demarchelier was awarded the contract for the 2005
Pirelli Calendar. Over the years he has catapulted the careers of many make-up artists like
Laura Mercier,
Jason Marks and
Pat Mcrath.
Demarchelier is referenced in the 2006 film
The Devil Wears Prada, when the "dragon lady", Miranda Priestly (
Meryl Streep), asks Andy (
Anne Hathaway), on her very first day on the job, "Did Demarchelier confirm?", leaving her utterly confused. The first assistant Emily calmly jumps into action and calls his office, replying, "I have Patrick!"
Demarchelier also made a cameo in the film version of
Sex and the City; he can be seen taking pictures during Carrie Bradshaw's fashion shoot for
Vogue magazine.. Demarchelier is most known for his photo shoot of superstar
Janet Jackson which appeared on the cover of
Rolling Stone Magazine and the
Janet album.
In 2007, Mrs.
Christine Albanel,
Minister of Culture, honored Patrick Demarchelier as an Officer dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
thumb|Photo of Alyssa Nicole Pallett taken by Patrick Demarchelier
Some of his most famous photographs : , , .
