The Most podcast - Episode 57: Willy Vanderperre
The globally acclaimed photographer and rebel eternal Willy Vanderperre visits Dominique Nzeyimana at the loft.
From pastoral Belgium to the world, in a decades-spanning career, Willy Vanderperre has lensed highly influential fashion editorials and campaigns season after season.
When i-D magazine first published young Willy’s work with Raf Simons and the Antwerp Six, it attuned the fashion world at large to his gift. In the following years Raf Simons, Jil Sander, Dior, Calvin Klein, Prada, Alaïa and many more all leaned on Willy Vanderperre’s eye for creating culture-shifting and cerebral imagery.
As a favoured front page snatcher and editorial contributor, Willy Vanderperre - who has been good friends for years with print god Jefferson Hack - has been published on the covers and pages of DAZED, Another/Another Man, System, DUST, LOVE, W Magazine, Vogue, 032C and more.
Willy Vanderperre has captured modern muses like Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, Arca, Lupita Nyong’o, A$AP Rocky, Solange, Dev Hynes, The XX, Mahershala Ali, Kate Moss, Willow Smith, FKA twigs, Zendaya, Michelle Williams, Margot Robbie – the list is endless and incredibly impressive.
His art prompts instant recognition: a Willy Vanderperre shot connects rock-hard and squarely. His eternal fascination with youth, isolation, angst, queer longing and pop culture references has burgeoned into a visual language that extends to all senses, whether they’re expressed through stills or moving parts. Various works of his have been on view at prestigious museums like the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and MoMu in Antwerp.
At this particular moment in time, Willy Vanderperre’s first feature film ‘Heartlands’ is setting the underground alight.
In a future-classic sit-down, Dominique and Willy discuss the renegade’s upbringing, self-defining spirit & contrarian nature as he has lived his life questioning barriers from rock bottom moments to the top.
Hear how the artist started drawing from a young age & leaned into his own expressiveness through fashion and music. Willy also voices his admiration and views on the new generation(s), and how his lauded filmography went through naked, wasted and sacred stages to bloom into ‘Heartlands’ - his breathtaking debut feature film.
A timeless conversation on everything to know from the man himself, sharing priceless morsels on a life and career forged in your own way, with your own unique voice.
Listen, download & subscribe via these links:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DXYHvQ
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WnyjCC
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(c) Willy Vanderperre for V Magazine - make-up by Peter Philips
(c) Willy Vanderperre - Raf Simons for Fantastic Man
(c) Willy Vanderperre - Kate Moss for Another Magazine
(c) Willy Vanderperre - cast of ‘Heartlands’ for i-D magazine
(c) Willy Vanderperre