French photography couturier Jean-Marie Périer and his best works (21 photos)

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Photography is an art, and anyone with a camera who creates something unique has every right to be called an artist. But among photographers, there are special creators, recognized as geniuses. Among them is Jean-Marie Périe, often called the couturier of French photography.

The Making of a Genius

Jean-Marie Périe made a worldwide name for himself photographing celebrities. His lens captured rock stars, models, artists, actors, politicians, and athletes. The master photographer created a vast gallery of celebrity portraits, many of which have long been recognized as iconic.

The Beatles. Staircase. 1966

The photographer began his career in the early 1960s, when he was barely 20 years old. He worked as a photojournalist for Salut les Copains, a publication dedicated to the youth music culture of the 1960s. It was then that Périer took his first famous photographs of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Vivienne Westwood London 1994

In the 1990s, Jean-Marie Périer collaborated with Elle magazine, for which he created a gallery of famous couturiers. His photographs feature Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, and Vivienne Westwood in unusual, sometimes even playful looks.

Yves Saint Laurent. Paris. 1998

"The Beautiful Years of Life"

Jean-Marie Périer was born in 1940 on the western outskirts of Paris, in the small town of Neuilly-sur-Seine. He discovered photography at school, and by the age of 16, it had become his profession. He became an assistant to photographer Daniel Filipacchi, who worked for Paris Match, Marie Claire, and Jazz magazine.

The Beatles. Cigarettes. 1964

According to Périer, it was Filipacchi who introduced him to the world of photography, which he had considered nothing more than a hobby. In the early 1960s, the photographer completed his military service in Algeria, where he also never parted with his camera. Returning home, Jean-Marie accepted an invitation from his boss and mentor, Daniel Filipacchi, to join the staff of Salut les Copains magazine.

The Rolling Stones on a train en route from Marseille. 1965

Périer worked for the youth publication for 12 long years. He later recalled this period:

"These were the most wonderful years of my life, without any restrictions in work, imagination, or money, which allowed me to photograph the way I wanted... Thanks to Salut les Copains, I had the opportunity to become friends with many musicians, singers, and bands who were just beginning their careers."

Jacques Dutronc. Paris. 1969

Périer's professional relationships with celebrities often developed into friendships. This helped the photographer create relaxed and very atmospheric portraits. In 1980, Jean-Marie Périer left Europe and moved to the United States. Overseas, he became interested in fashion and advertising photography.

Alain Delon. 1966

In the World of Fashion and Advertising

For over 10 years, Périer constantly moved between Los Angeles and New York, working on projects for Ford Motors, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and other major companies. In the early 1990s, he returned to France and immersed himself in the world of haute couture. He created portraits of such legends as Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Sonia Rykiel, Valentino Garavani, and Karl Lagerfeld.

John Malkovich. Los Angeles. 1995

Now the master of French photography is well over 80, but he continues to work. Jean-Marie Périer also holds exhibitions of his work around the world, trying to be present at the opening of each one.

Yves Saint Laurent. Paris. 1995

Mick Jagger. USA. 1972

Karl Lagerfeld. Hamburg. 1995

Monica Bellucci in an evening gown by Dolce & Gabbana. 1998

Salvador Dalí and Françoise Hardy. Cadaqués. 1968

The Rolling Stones. Los Angeles. 1965

Sylvie Vartan. Paris. 1967

New York. 1963

Sylvie Vartan and Brigitte Bardot. Rome 1967

Sylvie Vartan and Brigitte Bardot

The Beatles. Red Door. London, March 1964

Self-portrait