Rafael Pavarotti. Photographer

For Rafael Pavarotti, colour becomes a language. From 2 October 2026 to 2 May 2027, the Musée des Arts décoratifs is dedicating a major exhibition – the first of its kind in France – to this Brazilian photographer, whose vibrant and theatrical images have had a profound impact on contemporary fashion photography. Born in the state of Pará in the Amazon rainforest in 1993, he draws on the landscapes of his childhood, his family’s colourful objects and Brazil’s Afro-indigenous cultures to create an instantly recognisable visual world.

Featuring over 200 prints, the exhibition traces his rise to fame through iconic magazine covers, commissions for leading fashion houses and personal projects. Visitors will, in particular, discover his portraits of Rihanna, Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Madonna and Bad Bunny, in which the intense colours and sculptural staging lend the subjects an almost mythological presence.

A new voice in fashion photography

The exhibition also unveils several series that have become defining moments in his career, such as his male portraits published in Double Magazine in 2019 and the images created for Perfect Magazine, including the portraits of Adhel Bol and Marguerite. Visitors will also be able to discover some historic covers of British Vogue, notably the 2022 As the World Turns issue, which showcased a new generation of models with multiple identities.

Throughout the exhibition, sketchbooks, magazine pages and silhouettes displayed on mannequins reveal the various stages of the photographer’s creative process. The exhibition also explores his collaboration with designers such as Balmain, Dior, Balenciaga and Chanel, whilst highlighting his commitment to more inclusive representation in fashion. It concludes with a reflection on the Amazon and the natural world, reminding us just how deeply Rafael Pavarotti’s personal history permeates his entire body of work.

Fashion takes centre stage in Paris Region’s exhibitions.