Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.
Yann Turchi| Courtesy of Bryant Artists
Yann Turchi, Hairstylist
Hometown: Thionville, Moselle, the French countryside
Based: Paris
Representation: Bryant Artists
How would you describe your work? What’s your trademark?
That’s always been a tricky question for me as I’ve always tried to stay very versatile, but I’ve realized through the years that I’ve also always tried to stay true to what I like.
How did you get into your chosen career?
I first really got into hair by necessity; back when I was a teenager, my mum wouldn’t bring us to the hair salon because of the lack of options for textured hair, so I decided to pick up the clippers. I started doing it myself and my brother’s hair because we wanted to look good! Then, I fell in love with the craft and started my hair journey.
What have you watched/heard/read lately that has inspired you?
That’s another tough question especially in these dark times we’re experiencing, but for the past three years, I’ve been digging a lot of history/culture books to learn more about my own culture and others’ southern/ancient culture. I believe all the responses to our future already exist in our past, and learning that through books and a recent trip to Ethiopia, one of the most ancient cultures in our world was crazy, exciting, and inspiring. I recommend it; it has helped me widen my horizons a lot.
What do you love about what you do?
I love how, through the years, it allowed me to develop a freedom of expression by working alongside legendary talents that have inspired me a lot and traveling the world to challenge my perspective to come back to normality and put what I’ve learned into my projects.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced professionally?
I think it’s dealing with this pressure we’re all confronted with: time.
What’s one thing outside of your work that you would like people to know about you?
I’m a big book nerd.
Who do you think is one to watch?
Louis Souvestre is definitely one to watch. I love his approach and versatility.
Selected Work
Bodil Ouédraogo | Image courtesy of Bryant Artists
Framed Intimacy, 2023
This shoot was my first published work as a photographer, and I am pretty proud of it – it represents many things I love in one picture.
Natalia Vodianova | Image courtesy of Bryant Artists
Vogue Italia April 2021 covers by Paolo Roversi
I am super proud of my second Italian Vogue cover with one of my dream photographers to work with since I started my career, Paolo Roversi.
Sunira Da Silva | Image courtesy of Bryant Artists
Personal work with Gabriel Moses, 2024
I love the texture I created in this picture and how strong the model looks.
Luna Bijl | Image courtesy of Bryant Artists
Paco Rabanne, 2022
This image is a big souvenir and milestone for me.
Image courtesy of Bryant Artists
MOKORO, 2022
I was super happy to be part of this project as we went to Kenya for a week to discover the work of this incredible woman, Joan Otieno, who started looking after women in her community and teaching them how to be creative with recycled material.
