Rafael Pavarotti

The Musée des Arts décoratifs presents the work of Brazilian photographer, Rafael Pavarotti, for the first time in France from 2 October 2026 to 2 May 2027.

More than 200 prints are exhibited and juxtaposed with photographs from the museum, ranging from the biggest covers of the greatest fashion magazines to portraits of international pop culture stars like Rihanna, Harry Styles, and Beyoncé, as well as campaigns he creates for major fashion houses.

The result is a colourful and powerful style, creating strong and unique images. Rafael Pavarotti's personal history, born in the state of Pará in the Amazon rainforest in 1993, resonates in his approach to photography.

The strong women in his family, his grandmother's brightly coloured crockery, and the natural environment in which he grew up all play an important role in his sources of inspiration. Rafael Pavarotti taught himself photography at the age of 12 by borrowing his father's camera.

Four years later, drawn to fashion photography, he left for Rio, then São Paulo, London, before settling in Paris. He has produced numerous series for prestigious fashion magazines such as Vogue, i-D, Acne Paper, and even for The New York Times.

His photographic style has established itself in the fashion world and has marked campaigns for many houses, including Dior, Balmain, Margiela, Ferragamo, and L'Oréal.

In February 2022, he distinguished himself with the cover of British Vogue featuring "As the world turns," which showcased nine Black models.

As an Afro-Indigenous artist, Rafael Pavarotti states his desire to work for future generations by creating models that will allow all children to recognise and project themselves, regardless of their skin colour.

By highlighting bodies underrepresented in fashion, he questions the political and social dimension of this industry.

He conveys this message through colourful, powerful photographs, sometimes playing with a pop or surrealist spirit, and which tell stories: his own, but also those of the models whose participation he seeks.