French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier passed away on March 31 at age 78. News about his demise was announced through his Instagram account.
Born in 1943 in Le Havre, France, Demarchelier developed his interest in photography during his teenage years and later on began working as an assistant photographer. In 1975, he relocated from Paris to the U.S. and launched his studio. During that time, he made a name for himself by capturing images for fashion magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Allure, among others.
Being one of the favorite photographers of fashion glossies led him to produce campaigns for luxury labels like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and more.
Apart from his magazine and advertising works, Demarchelier was known for being the personal photographer of the late Princess Diana. Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, music superstar Beyonce, talkshow host Oprah Winfrey, and supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Gigi and Bella Hadid were among the noted personalities who posed in front of his camera.
In 2007, he was honored as Officier de l’Ordre des arts et des lettres (Officer in Order of Arts and Literature) by the French minister of culture for his works. Cementing his pop culture status were his appearances in the movies “The September Issue,” “Sex and the City,” and referencing his name in “The Devil Wears Prada.” He also graced the television screen as a guest judge in the 15th season of the reality show “America's Next Top Model.”
His career was challenged in 2018 when he, and other photographers, was accused of sexual misconduct by previous models he worked with, to which he denied the allegations.
According to the Instagram post, the esteemed photographer is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons Gustaf, Arthur, and Victor, and three grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Patrick Demarchelier.