Steidlville

With his unique talent of capturing emotions using lenses, colours and words, artist François-Marie Banier inspires both his subjects and viewers to “conquérir le rêve” (conquer the dream). Vive la Vie is an intimate monograph resulting from a collaboration between Banier and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. Based on a series of sessions arranged by von Furstenberg with model Natalia Vodianova, the images are layered with visual and emotional complexity. By combining his various skills photography, painting and writing— into individual artworks, François-Marie Banier creates narratives that compel both the eye and the mind. Vodianova exposes her true, unmasked self, creating a blank canvas upon which raw womanhood is revealed, far from the stereotypes of fashion photography.