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The photographic project ICONIC began in 2016 and evolved since then into a huge work of art and passion.

With the help of fashion designer Lucie Vervellea and visual and makeup artist Joris Souris, I was able to recreate with innovation and accuracy more than 150 photos of artistic and historic figures who shaped the world as we know it.

In order to make the project flawless, artistic and physiognomic skills were required as well as historic and biographic knowledge of each icon.

Here's a mesmerizing glimpse of this work. You can also check out my work at the links below.

More info: Instagram | etienneclotis.com | Facebook | Vimeo

#1

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain

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J. Pell
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cobain, a male Ophelia, drifting on a river of melancholy and madness. Beautiful work.

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I am Etienne CLOTIS photographer and director. I am passionate about images. I love to tell stories for 20 years already!

I am passionate about all forms of art, as a child, I did dance, singing and theatre, then I went back to the Conservatory to make films, but one day I fell in love with photography!

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    #2

    Michael Jackson

    Michael Jackson

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    #3

    Freddie Mercury

    Freddie Mercury

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    "Iconic" was born thanks to my passion for Marilyn Monroe, I find it extraordinary that someone who has died for years can still be so present in the collective culture.

    One day I photographed a look-alike of Marilyn and it was the beginning of the creation of "Iconic". I partnered with a talented makeup artist, Joris Souris and a stylist who is passionate about her profession, Lucie Vervellea.

    #4

    Carrie Fisher

    Carrie Fisher

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    #5

    Vincent Van Gogh

    Vincent Van Gogh

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    The challenge was to dive into the life of a character because it was not possible for me to just copy a photograph or a vague idea of the icon we wanted to photograph.

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    The goal was to get to know the character, to find my vision of his or her life! What period to represent? How to dress him or her? What’s gonna be recognizable? For that I read between 2 and 3 biographies per character, it takes a lot of time! But it was still an exciting adventure!

    #6

    Janis Joplin

    Janis Joplin

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    J. Pell
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “...take a piece of my heart. My friends and I were camping and mourned her death by the quiet lake, watching the campfire as it slowly died.

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    "Iconic" represents three years of work, it is now a book with more than 180 photographs inside. It is with this book that I got my Master's in photography and I am very proud of it!

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    You can check out the book here!

    #8

    David Bowie

    David Bowie

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    #9

    Albert Einstein

    Albert Einstein

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    Em B
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Brilliant choice in MY opinion! He did math even in the toilet! That's not so hard to believe...

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    #10

    Twiggy

    Twiggy

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    Margot Piasecka
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. Twiggy was a true sign of changing time.

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    #11

    Marlene Dietrich

    Marlene Dietrich

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    #13

    Napoléon

    Napoléon

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    Jamie Holtsclaw
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I actually love this. His posture, the clouds in the background. Very thoughtful piece.

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    #15

    Elizabeth Taylor

    Elizabeth Taylor

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    Allana Rose
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a very powerful visual and a deep statement on Elizabeth's power and beauty if the day.

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    #16

    Pablo Picasso

    Pablo Picasso

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    #18

    Audrey Hepburn

    Audrey Hepburn

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    Hari Onago
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The model looks like that singer Ariana Grande, but she is hardly iconic, unlike Hepburn.

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    #19

    Olivia Newton And John Travolta

    Olivia Newton And John Travolta

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    Lara B.
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait?? You wanna tell me that this is not the real John Travolta? Wow!! This looks soooo like him!!!

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    #20

    Jackie Kennedy

    Jackie Kennedy

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    Kristin Connon
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    white gloves would have been a dramatic touch. Still, a powerful image though.

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    #21

    James Dean

    James Dean

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    MissMePhoenix
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like Dave Franco, which is understandable

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    #23

    Jimi Hendrix

    Jimi Hendrix

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    Em B
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE JIMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome job bringing him back!

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    #24

    Grace Jones

    Grace Jones

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    #25

    Louis Xiv

    Louis Xiv

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    #26

    Maria Callas

    Maria Callas

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    #28

    Nina Simone

    Nina Simone

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    #29

    Charlie Chaplin

    Charlie Chaplin

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    #30

    Jeanne D'arc

    Jeanne D'arc

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    Kristin Connon
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I could be wrong, but my humble opinion is that this is not an accurate representation of the spirit of Jeanne D'arc. Fishnets? Really? This is the only one of these I didn't care for though.

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    #31

    Marilyn Monroe

    Marilyn Monroe

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    Allana Rose
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. Doesn't not do MM justice although it is a pretty picture of whomever this girl is.

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    #32

    Le Petit Prince

    Le Petit Prince

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    #33

    Jean Paul Gaultier

    Jean Paul Gaultier

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    Kc Nordquist
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK, wanna pull that zipper the rest of the way down....

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    #34

    Alice In Wonderland

    Alice In Wonderland

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    Kc Nordquist
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She looks a little too elfish and knowing, Alice is supposed to be innocent and perhaps a touch naive.

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    #35

    Elvis Presley

    Elvis Presley

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    Margot Piasecka
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like a plastic doll. No charisma, no expression ... sigh ... what a pity, Elvis is dead

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    #36

    Coco Chanel

    Coco Chanel

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    All's Gravy
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A swastika brooch would have been a clever touch!

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    #37

    Juliette Gréco

    Juliette Gréco

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    2 different stages of her life. Very nice.

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    #38

    Johnny Hallyday

    Johnny Hallyday

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    ADHORTATOR
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    there are so many doppelganger of Johnny in France....

    #39

    Evita

    Evita

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    Kristin Connon
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice pic, but it looks more like the portrayal of Madonna's portrayal of Evita than Evita herself.

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    #41

    Catherine Deneuve

    Catherine Deneuve

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    Margot Piasecka
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry not the LEAST resemblance ... and not even 0.1 percent of this fabulous womans charisma ... I'm sure the artist could do better 😊

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    #42

    Cher

    Cher

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