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Tag: Paris
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Couture from Paris
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All Aboard Chanel
The fashion world is buzzing about the Chanel Cruise Collection from Paris. Yes! It was confident, alive! Once again Mr. Lagerfeld has proven why he is a maestro of fashion and showmanship. All Aboard! In the Grand Palais, if you can sell a collection based on the location, get the credit cards ready, the setting was noting short of breathtaking with a replica of an ocean liner built to show his latest feminine looks. Hats, quilting, tweed and sliced denim, and sailor looks were abound.
Chanel has always been a brand about a woman with class, certain status in life. But that has not stopped the Parisian brand from being modern, elegant evolution. Wherever this ship is sailing, make sure to book a ticket.
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Menswear Trends for Spring 18
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FRANCE 24 Paris Fashion Week
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Hermes Menswear
Black and Paper liked the Spring 2018 collection from Hermes. It was accessible, relaxed from a brand associated with absolute luxury. There are the classic touches of leather jackets; soft and light.
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A Tribute to a Fashion Legend
Part 2 of the Black and Paper interview with photographer Brice Hardelin on his exhibition L’Homme Couture: A Photographic Odyssey.
Brice and I had a good time talking about his work over a glass of white wine. His career is going forward in many directions. He had just completed a well received male firemen calendar. He gave me a tour of his collection displayed on the wall of the hotel before continuing our interview.
How did the W Hotel in Paris become involved in this project?
My agent called to ask if I wanted to be a part of Paris Artist. It is an association of 150 artists in the city. The Paris Artist asked if I wanted to exhibit at the hotel. I organized a meeting. I liked the style of the W. It is young, dynamic. When the association asked the hotel who they wanted, the team chose me. I know my pictures are provocative but the W Hotel was supportive of my work. There was no censorship.
What do you think of the artistic state of the world?
There are lots of things. It is too Politically Correct. It is more and more commercial and boring. . If you look at the big fashion magazines there are only places for big names and ads. There is no space for new people. And for the big brands would stay away from images like these on the wall in front of you. For them it is going too far. For me it is not far enough.
Is there a lack of freedom?
No! None! There is no freedom at all because they want the same pictures for their clients. I have nothing against it because they have beautiful products but when you are a person with a different vision who likes to mix things like an African Mask with a Cartier Necklace no magazine would publish it.
What do you think Instagram Photographers who are no considered professionals?
I understand the platform but I have a problem with the business they are doing because they are making people think they are famous. For me they are holiday, vacation pictures. It is nothing! (Laughing) It is reality television. On Instagram everyone wants to know what you are doing for lunch but no one really cares. A person sitting on the toilet then the viewer goes to another image of another person sitting on the toilet! MEANINGLESS! What is the purpose of having 50.000 followers and none of them can buy the product! I use it of course like everyone else.
I am an old fashion photographer. I like prints Internet in a way is the death of photography. I No one wants real pictures. They want one picture after another, quantity over quality.
What is your next project?
The exhibition runs until January. I have an exhibition in Belgium, then, I am looking for an editor for a book of my work. I have editorials but I am thinking about a shoot in Africa.
L’Homme Couture is on display at the W Hotel Paris until January 3rd 2018.
Part 1 of The Black and Paper interview with photographer Brice Hardelin at the W Hotel Paris.
What is the L’Homme Couture Exhibition?
The ideal started with an editorial I did 4 years ago men with women’s accessories and jewelry. I was approached to an editorial for Mellerio, the oldest jewelry house in Paris. The brand was celebrating its 400th anniversary. I had this idea to take a picture of a girl and a guy in their jewelry. They were a bit of surprised because the jewels are normally worn by a woman. The results were fantastic. I liked the images a lot so I decided to continue the story. That is what inspired my exhibition L’Homme Couture.
Is this a gender free exhibition?
We should be beyond labels. If you think about fashion history, men were extravagant. During the Greek and Roman empires, the Renaissance, and the 17th century men wore jewelry and make up. Now everyone wears suits and sports clothes. It is boring! I am a fashion photographer. Except some details, it is all the same. I wanted to show something different, something to make people react. There is no label on this. I am a man born in the 1980’s. There were all these pop groups from David Bowie and Duran Duran who wore make up and stylish clothes. Suddenly in the 21st century, all is conservative.
What attracts you to the male form?
I like muscled guys but thin. Fashion models are quite long. I was fashion photographer for women at first. When I came back from living in Montreal for a time, an agency contacted me to shoot a girl and guy for a test. The agent liked the images of the guys. After that I was getting booked to shoot male models. Other agencies in the city started sending me only male models. I was boxed into the reputation of working well with men. I have been doing it for 10 years. I do editorials with female models but with men time is not constrained. I can shoot fast and explore other elements. With female models there is more time needed to set ups on the hair and make-up.
What style of photographer are you?
Portraitist first then I am a fashion photographer. For me the person is more important than the clothes. I like character and attitude in front of the camera.
L’Homme Couture is on display at the W Hotel Paris until January 3, 2018.
Part 2 of the Brice Hardelin interview will be online soon.
For more information go:Brice Hardelin
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Read the Black and Paper exclusive interview Coming soon.