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Each of the photosets by Parisian fetish photographer Christophe Mourthé
invokes a provocative fetish fairytale. Whether shooting exquisite models
in darkly sensual, padded cells or porcelain pinups in life-sized birdcages,
he creates a visually stunning environment where underground fantasy worlds
become reality, and a viewer can blissfully succumb to the illustrated narrative.
Mourthé spoke with us about merging his visions with his models to
produce his art.
Sez G: Where do you live? Do you travel for shoots or do the
models come to you?
Christophe Mourthé: I have lived in Paris, the center of fashion, for 25 years, and I generally work here. I have had expositions in the US, Italy, Germany and Amsterdam, and my photographs are all over the world.
Models usually approach me through the internet. My first model from the web was Dita Von Teese, who contacted me because she loved my work. I love hers as well, so we had very nice collaboration. She is quite unique.
Sez G: You've developed a very imaginative style of fetish photography. When did you begin uniting fashion and glamour with fetish in your art?
Christophe Mourthé: I began shooting for the theater in the '80s. Soon afterwards,
my work became more oriented towards fashion and eroticism because I was
hired by Playboy as well as a famous fashion magazine in France.
Since then, I have continued to do a mixture of both.
I have also shot of a lot of French rock stars. As a youth in the '70s, I would spend all night at the famous Parisian discotheque, Le Palace, which was like New York's Studio 54.
But perhaps most influential was the nurse I had when I was a young boy.
She was very pretty… blonde and sexy. She wore high boots with short dresses,
and I remember her well. So, all these things have influenced my direction
in the erotic world.
Sez G: Your shoots are so artistic, creative, stirring and colorful.
Can you walk me through the general process of them?
Christophe Mourthé: Models who contact me are often very enthusiastic, and there is always a lot of communication between the two of us before a shoot. We merge our fantasies to create our best work. We're not concerned about what some customer wants, simply how to get the images that we want. Everybody wins with this kind of collaboration.
I shoot the models as I love them. They are the basis for all of my inspiration. Clothing and locations are decided after the general direction has been established. Often, designers send me clothes to get some photos from me of the famous models wearing them.
Sez G: Is there anyone else on the set with you?
Christophe Mourthé: I work with Walter Denechere, my personal make-up artist and Titi-R, my hair stylist. I have an assistant as well when I need it. I know of many photographers who require 2 or 3 assistants and a lot of other people to help them, but I really try to create an environment based on intimacy and trust. I prefer to do the lighting, arrange the outfits, etc. myself.
Sez G: You shot a very hot 2006 calendar featuring Penthouse Pet of
the Year 2001 Zdenka
Podkapova. How did your collaboration with her develop and what's your
relationship like with her now?
Christophe Mourthé: I met her in '99 through a photographer from Prague who brought her to my studio in Paris. She was new and timid, but so amazing. We were immediately comfortable working together, and have produced some of our most important photos together. We are still very friendly and have a lot of trust in each other. She comes to France regularly to shoot with me. She is certainly one of the best models in the world.
Sez G: You've also done a wide variety of shoots with Emily Marilyn and Dita. Do you have any muses?
Christophe Mourthé: I have only ever worked with muses! Models seem to like working
with the same photographer for several different shoots, allowing them to
become both more comfortable and more intense. The friendlier we are, the
higher the quality of work we produce.
Some of my models were unknown before shooting with me. It is a wonderful
reward when your favorite girl becomes a star! Marlène, Thallia,
Julia Channel
or Clara Morgane
in France are the best. Dita is wonderful, as I've said. Zdenka is amazing,
and Emily Marilyn a top quality fetish model. A month ago I shot with Kyla
Cole, and it was a very nice new meeting.
Sez G: Tell me about one of your most interesting photo shoots.
Christophe Mourthé: Once I was on holiday when a friend of mine phoned me. For a few days, he had a very rare, unique stuffed African elephant. I came back to Paris immediately and phoned Zdenka in Prague. She was excited and came to France for a day to shoot with it. We produced several unique and amazing photos, but we'll never have the opportunity to do it again. The elephant is in a museum now.
Sez G: With so many independent, fetish projects, do you still do work for Playboy and Penthouse?
Christophe Mourthé: I will always be independent. Liberty is supreme! Of course I'll continue to work for the top companies like Playboy. It's difficult to go much further with erotic art.
Sez G: What's next for you?
Christophe Mourthé: An explosive biography covering 25 years worth of secrets in my erotic world and work. Actually, some of the pictures from it are currently on display in an erotic museum in Venice. Zdenka will be back in a few weeks. Dita just sent me mail saying, "See you soon." And Emily Marilyn will be here in the spring. Life is nice...
To learn more about Christophe Mourthé, visit www.christophemourthe.com.
Christophe Mourthé - by Sez G.
