PATRICK DEMARCHELIER [Hardcover]

Patrick Demarchelier (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2009

This monograph is the definitive guide to the career of one of the most prodigious fashion photographers of our time. From his earliest work at Harper's Bazaar to his now mythic collaboration with Vogue, Patrick Demarchelier has single-handedly redefined the fashion photograph and the fashion industry along with it. His celebrity portraits have shaped the public personae of figures ranging from Princess Diana to Madonna. Demarchelier is everywhere at once, with a photographic sensibility that is as iconic, incisive and as varied as his subject matter.

Published to coincide with the exhibition Patrick Demarchelier: Images et Mode a Paris at the Petit Palais, Paris, and featuring more than 400 of Demarchelier's most telling photographs, this volume provides an invaluable fashion reference point, all the while charting the course of our own cultural obsession with celebrity and beauty. All proceeds go to the charity Police--Action Solidaire.

Born outside Paris in 1943, Patrick Demarchelier relocated to New York in 1975, where he began his editorial career with Harper's Bazaar and Hearst Publications. His photographs appear regularly on the covers and in the pages of publications such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, among many others. He was the 2007 recipient of the Eleanor Lambert Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He continues to live and work in New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Steidl (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3865217362
• ISBN-13: 978-3865217363
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 10.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #985,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece from a prominent fashion photographer, January 25, 2000

By 

J. Lizzi (Costa Mesa, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Patrick Demarchelier: Photographs (Hardcover)

With this wonderful depiction of form and expression, Demarchelier shows his mastery of presenting the face, the body, and the mood through an incredible feel for lighting and contrast. His adeptness at capturing the nude female form brings out incredible beauty without the slightest hint of pornography.

What you get: 82 black-and-white photographic plates, most of which are formatted to fill the entire page. With a few exceptions, all were taken from the late-80s to the mid-90s, and about half were taken from fashion magazines or designer ads. Most are of people, the majority of whom are recognizable (to me) celebrities. About one-forth feature the nude or semi-nude female body. For good measure, a couple pictues featuring members of the Demarchelier family are also included. All photographs are presented "stand-alone," with no notes or credits; however, this information is clearly referenced at the back of the book.

What you see: a straightforwardness of subject matter. Where other photographers might dazzle by snaring a moment in time from an event (e.g., Robert Doisneau), Demarchelier presents his subjects with no mystery as to what the viewer is to behold: the intricacies of the baobab branches in contrast to its massive trunk; the variations in lighting between two figures, one illuminated, one silhouetted, seated in front of a window; or the calm, confident gaze of Christy Turlington wearing only a tangle of wet hair, and a sheet around her hips. The side-by-side photos of Helena Christensen are perhaps the best of her ever, as may be the one of Turlington. Not to forget the face: the shots of Versace, César, Corbassière and Nastassja Kinski are absolute gems. I'm having a hard time puting this book down, and I'd love to know who that is hanging from the tree on the front cover.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Black & White Fashion, Portraits, Nudes, December 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Patrick Demarchelier: Photographs (Hardcover)

I'm floored that this book is not more popular! It clearly is not getting enough exposure, as it is currently one of the best photo books available today.

Although Patrick Demarchelier is known as a fashion photographer, most of the images of top models and celebrities in this book are really portaits, many of them nudes. These photos are masterpeices of B&W portaiture. Among the great photographers who have published photo books, there are less than 5 I know that are in Demarchelier's league.

There are so many great images in this book. The nudes of Helena Christensen and Cindy Crawford are especially superb. Incidentally, contact sheets from the nudes of Cindy Crawford were recently expositioned by DeMarchelier.

If you appriciate great black and white photography, you will probably love this book.

If you are interested in looking at photos of celebrities, you will probably love this book.

If you are offended by nudity, even artistic nudes, you should probably avoid this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection through simplicity, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Patrick Demarchelier: Photographs (Paperback)

This book features the most perfect photograph of Christy Turlington ever taken. It also features a stunning cover--not to be missed and an amazing photo of Cindy Crawford. The photo of Turlington alone was worth the price of this book.