«It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patrick Demarchelier on March 31st, 2022,» the caption read.
Born on August 21, 1943, in Le Havre, France, Demarchelier’s journey in the world of photography began in Paris at the age of 20. However, it was in the United States that his career truly flourished. Starting as an assistant, he eventually became renowned for his work with American Vogue. In 1975, he made New York his official base, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Demarchelier’s creative partnership with stylist Grace Coddington was a defining element of both British Vogue and American Vogue. One of his standout moments in photography was his iconic cover shot of Linda Evangelista for the September 1992 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
His illustrious career included capturing campaigns for some of the most prestigious luxury fashion houses, including Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani. He also had the privilege of being Princess Diana’s personal portrait photographer. Furthermore, Demarchelier contributed his talent to the iconic Pirelli calendar on three separate occasions, in 2005, 2008, and 2014.
However, in 2018, Demarchelier faced allegations of sexual harassment following a Boston Globe article that accused him of inappropriate behavior towards several models during his career. He vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Patrick Demarchelier is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons Gustaf, Arthur, Victor, and three grandchildren. His legacy in the world of fashion photography remains indelible.