Legendary French fashion photographer, Patrick Demarchelier, died on Thursday, March 31 at age 78.
His official Instagram account shared the news in a post on Thursday stating, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patrick Demarchelier on March 31st 2022, at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons Gustaf, Arthur, Victor and three grandchildren.”
The acclaimed photographer was born in Paris in 1943 and began his career in New York City in the ’70s. He went on to work for every influential fashion magazine and fashion brand for the next five decades, photographing every supermodel and pop star in the process, including Madonna, Janet Jackson, Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bündchen, Beyoncé and more. He regularly shot covers for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and worked on major high-fashion campaigns for the likes of Dior, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Chanel, as well Zara, H&M, Express among others.
Outside of fashion, he was most notably Princess Diana‘s personal photographer in the ’80s and ’90s, capturing one of her most iconic images, her 1990 portrait donning a tiara, jewels and gown.
An outpouring of love came in the comments on Instagram with supermodels Christie Brinkley and Amber Valletta, and fellow pros within the fashion world including hairstylists Garren and Sam McKnight, and makeup artist Mary Greenwell paying respect to the photographer.
Brinkley expressed her adoration for Demarchelier writing, “I loved working with Patrick. I loved just hanging with Patrick on the many trips we did. I just loved him. He was a creative genius but in a casual seemingly effortless way, and he was fun and funny in his broken Franglais. My heart goes out to his beloved Mia, and his cherished Gustave Arthur and Victor and to his brother Eric. 💔”
Valletta began her comment by saying, “I’m so sadden by this news. Patrick was one of the first photographers to work with me. He is fashion history and legendary photography. We will miss him. I am sending love and good thoughts to his family. ❤️❤️❤️”
Garren wrote, “My prayers and thoughts are with his family and Friends. I’ve known and worked with Patrick my entire career since 1975 and he was pure joy and everyone he photographed fell in love with him. I will miss him terribly💔 gone too soon.”
McKnight shared a photo posing with Princess Diana on his Instagram in tribute to Demarchelier. “Oh, dear Patrick, how you made us laugh. Thank you for having me around for the beautiful ride. Rest in Peace my friend. @patrickdemarchelier.”
Greenwell commented, “This is such sad news. I have the most wonderful memories of being with Patrick and I am so sorry for his family. We were always laughing and he made ‘work’ such fun. You, Patrick, will always have a special place in my heart. I am sending all my love and sympathy to his family 💔🙏💔💔💔.”
The photographer was memorably referenced in The Devil Wears Prada, when Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) asks a new Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), “Did Demarchelier confirm?” Emily (Emily Blunt) chimes in replying, “I have Patrick!” He also had a cameo in the Sex and the City film when he photographed Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) as she modeled for Vogue.
In 2018, Demarchelier was accused of sexual misconduct by 50 models, in a report by the Boston Globe. At the time he denied the allegations telling the outlet, “People lie and they tell stories. It’s ridiculous.” Following the accusations, Vogue‘s publisher Condé Nast announced they wouldn’t be working with him for the “foreseeable future.”
