Barbara Klemm:
Madonna, Haute Couture, Paris 1993
(c) Barbara Klemm
Interview with Barbara Klemm
(detail)
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FT: ... Another picture that highly
impressed me and moves me until today
is your photograph of Madonna at a
fashion show. When and where did you
take this picture?
The picture was taken in 1993. I was
commissioned by the FAZ to photograph
the haute couture in Paris. It was the
evening of the Versace show.
FT: On the one hand the picture is a
portrait but on the other a fashion
shot. How did this picture come about?
What’s the story behind it?
The editor of the FAZ, Brigitte
Scherer, was not that interested in
the Versace collection at the time.
That’s why I concentrated more on
the audience and the atmosphere right
from the start.
FT: Were you standing directly opposite
of Madonna? What was your position?
My position was on the other side of
the catwalk.
FT: Madonna is the only one in the
picture dressed in white, her eyes are
directed upwards, her gaze appears
concentrated, a bit transfigured. When
looking at the picture it seems as if
she were shining among all the others.
She’s sitting in an illuminated circle,
while the others are grouped around
her in the dark. As far as I know, you
do not manipulate your photos. How do
you explain that? Where does this shine
come from?
The shine comes from the catwalk which
was lit by alternating light, from
below as well. Her white dress and
blond hair intensified this effect,
as did the dark clothes of the people
sitting apart from her, who were her
“family”.
FT: Did she have a charisma that made
her stand out of the crown, made her
different, something one would call
an “aura”?
Madonna’s charisma fascinated me from
the moment she first appeared shortly
before the show. That’s why I mainly
concentrated on her throughout the
show. At the same time it was important
for me to make it clear that the photos
were taken during a fashion show.
FT: Did you have the impression that
Madonna was more important at that
moment than the fashion show?
For me she was.
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