 |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
PORTRAIT
Signe Vilstrup is one of Scandinavia's leading fashion photographers. Born in 1977, and currently based in
Copenhagen, she also divides her time between Paris and Milan for work. The career of this self-taught photographer began as a fashion photographer in 2002. Her portfolio of images is today as impressive as it is astonishing, she is known for a large number of fashion editorials in magazines such as Vogue, Elle or Vanity Fair. She creates beautiful, fascinating and magical universes for a wide range of fashion brands or international magazines. Vilstrup is also a filmmaker and creative consultant for fashion and music campaigns. A soft, deep and emotional femininity permeates her photographic style. Her work is delicate, romantic and poetic; a true anchoring of the dream in time and space. Her photography always has a unique touch that tells stories that we can only imagine. From her very fashionable and quite sexy style, a brilliant use of the environment and striking storytelling skills shine. Signe Vilstrup reinvents himself for each of his series, the common thread at the level of his universes seems foggy, we evolve between natural and soft lights and artificial neons, between disturbing universes and retro universes. All in all, Signe Vilstrup always captures our eyes, continually leaving us wanting to see more.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Could you describe your style, like a good friend would?
That’s a tough question. So I just asked a friend. She said, my style is dreamy, artistic and quite dark. When I have my hands free at least! But at the same time, I think I’m quite versatile. I like history and theater but I enjoy doing certain tasks without the commercial constraints, more in lifestyle scenes, funny and light.
What image left a mark on you?
A photograph of Sally Mann, the girl with a chocolate cigarette. This is probably the image that got me hooked on photography. I remember clearly when I saw it on the cover of the German magazine Press, I was about 14 years old and I was instantly intrigued... Knowing nothing about the technical part of photography, I borrowed my father's old SLR camera, and tried to recreate it with my little sister as a model. She was terrified, crying and screaming, but I kept going until I got the desired result. And it wasn't a bad result! And I still work that way, pushing the boundaries to achieve what I want?
What are you trying to show behind your photos?
I have always loved the process of creation and research that precedes a shoot. For example, for the story “Queens Bath” for Tomorrow's Journal, I studied Renaissance paintings and tales about women bathing in milk...
Cleopatra, Elizabeth I of England... Just to name a few! I am very intuitive when I work, and I can't say there are any grand solemn philosophies behind my images, but they are often built on historical inspirations.
- Find the rest of Signe Vilstrup in Normal Magazine n°8 -
