Whilst some sleep and dream, Lepage dreams whilst wide awake. Jean-Francois Lepage has established himself over the years as a greatly respected and highly talented French photographer, offering an extremely unique insight into the world of fashion. Seen as not only a Fashion based photographer, but also a Visual Artist, he has creatively merged the two worlds together in order to execute a series of beautiful pieces to date.
His collection of photographs, paintings, collages and drawings have the power to soothe yet keep the viewer on edge simultaneously. Each offers an almost surreal interpretation of the world as we know it, capturing the moments of the subconscious even when acting consciously. From dissected body images to collaged faces on foreign body’s, each image is both gripping and grotesquely enticing. It is almost as if his pieces were strategically collaged together to create a final piece that at first, appears unified, but at a second glance reveals layers upon layers of much deeper, socially avoided truths.
The models used for his shoots are flawless and the makeup, hair and setting are all exaggerated and strongly considered to create more dramatic and eye catching images. A sense of eroticism is achieved through partial nudity, perforated garments and dream like facial expressions whilst another of his pieces reveals a more innocent, vulnerable and childlike side to adults through a model sitting, curled up on a sofa gripping onto a teddy bear with her face hidden behind a dress-up mask.
Overall, Lepage has made it impossible not to read more deeply into Fashion photography and subconsciously dissect the image in order to discover the overall message sent out. Through his work, Fashion is idolised… and Art is indeed appreciated.