On March 31, 2022, at the age of 78, Patrick Demarchelier has passed away.

The French-born creative was known for his shots of models and celebrities including Princess Diana, who chose him as her personal photographer in 1989. An alliance that made him the first non-British photographer to be hired by the royal family. Demarchelier’s death was confirmed on his Instagram account. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patrick Demarchelier on March 31st 2022, at the age of 78," reads the post. "He is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons Gustaf, Arthur, Victor and three grandchildren."


Diana, Diana, Princess of Wales, in British Vogue.

Demarchelier started his career in Paris at the age of 20, by moving from Le Havre, his city of origins. He spent some year as assistant of famous photographer, including Henri Cartier-Bresson and Hans Feurer. Nine years later, in 1975, he opened his first U.S. studio and started working with Vogue. In the decades that followed, his work appeared in several fashion magazine in the United States and abroad.


Amber Valletta. Harper's Bazaar US, 1993.

Demarchelier photographed Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez and Sophia Loren for the famed Pirelli calendar from 2005 to 2008. In addition to his editorial assignments featuring celebrities and models, Demarchelier did advertising shoots for several fashion houses such as Chanel, Target, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. He has also made the album covers for Madonna, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson, among others.


Azzedine Alaïa and Yasmeen, 1991.

In 2007, he was honored as an Officier de l’Ordre des arts et des lettres by the French minister of culture. In 1989, he published his first book, “Fashion Photography: Patrick Demarchelier,” and in 2011 “Dior Couture". His works are exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.

Photo Cover: Dior Haute Couture, 2011. All images @ Patrick Demarchelier's account Instagram