FELI & PEPITA
Artists
FELI & PEPITA are a German artist and photographer duo, whose work has been featured in international magazines and fashion campaigns. They operate both in the commercial world and in the art world.
Their work has been shown in various international solo exhibitions in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Vancouver, Hanover and Cologne. A major theme in their photographic work is childhood and adolescence and the transition into adulthood.
The project IN MY ROOM - A portrait of a generation in lockdown - was awarded by UNICEF - Photo Of The Year 2021 with the honorable mention.
The book IN MY ROOM was published in line with the Int. Photoszene 2021.
FELI & PEPITA met at school in their hometown, Wesseling, Germany. After school they moved together to Cologne to study at University of Cologne.
They started their first collaboration in1993 with a photo book. In 2001 the two deepen their cooperation and start the project Haymarket Check. The ongoing project is about cultural codes of clothing.
FELI & PEPITA have built an impressive body of work in industries ranging from fashion, tv, costume design, and puppetry to photography and music, enriching their work substantially in art and fashion.
Their work has been published in numerous magazines, like Harper´s Bazaar, Marie Claire Enfants, VOGUE Germany, VOGUE Italia, Die Zeit, MilK Magazine, Awkward Magazine, Hooligans Magazine, et Magazine and various other publications.
They shot campaigns for Fendi, Aigner, Simonetta, Marc Jacobs Junior, Chloé, Kenzo Kids, Lanvin, Balmain, Falke.
Feli & Pepita live in Cologne, Germany.
FELI & PEPITA´s work is published in
Marie Claire Enfants | Harper´s Bazaar | Die Zeit | ZEITmagazin | Vogue Germany | Vogue Italy | MilK Korea |
Annabelle Magazine | Freundin Magazine | French Fries Magazine | Hooligans Magazine | Et L´Enfanterrible Magazine |
Switch Magazine | Junior Style London | Magie des Enfants | Tangereene Magazine | Mini Maven Magazine | La Petite Magazine
| Poster Child Magazine | Childhood Business | Babiekins Magazine | Little Revolution Magazine | Awkward World Magazine
CLIENTS
AIGNER KIDS | BALMAIN KIDS | CHLOÉ | FALKE | FENDI | GAMELAND | GIVENCHY |
KENZO KIDS | LANVIN | LITTLE MARC JACOBS | LOOK OCCHIALI | MICHAEL KORS KIDS |
OTICON | PACIFIC RAINBOW | POUPÉE | PUCCI | RASPBERRY PLUM | ROBERTO CAVALLI |
SIMONETTA | SOFT GALLERY | STADT HÜCKELHOVEN | WANDER & WONDER
AWARDS, GRANTS and FELLOWSHIPS
2021 UNICEF - photo of the year 2021 - Honorable Mention
2021 Der Greif - Final selection of »Guest Room: Willy Ndatira«
2021 CANON/ProfiFoto - New Talent Award, Finalist
2021 Arbeitsstipendium VG Bild-Kunst NEUSTART KULTUR
2021 Arbeitsstipendium des Ministeriums für Kultur und Wissenschaft NRW
2020 Photo VOGUE Award - Finalist
2020 Reclaim Award - nominated
2020 CANON/ProfiFoto - New Talent Award, Finalist
2020 Arbeitsstipendium des Ministeriums für Kultur und Wissenschaft NRW
2019 gosee award - Finalist
2019 CANON/ProfiFoto - New Talent Award, Finalist
2018 CANON/ProfiFoto - New Talent Award, Finalist
2013 Werkbund Nord Hannover, Winner
Press / Interviews
IN MY ROOM, UNICEF - photo of the year 2021 - Honorable Mention
ZDF/Heute, ARD/Tagesschau, FAZ, Tagesspiegel, December 2021
IN MY ROOM, ZEITmagazin, Christoph Amend, June 2021
IN MY ROOM, rbb Kultur - radio feature, June 2021
IN MY ROOM, WDR TV WestArt May 2021
IN MY ROOM, ttt - Titel, Thesen, Temperamente, May 2021
IN MY ROOM, VOGUE Germany, May/June 2021
IN MY ROOM, Harper´s Bazaar Brasil May 2021
IN MY ROOM, COSMO Radio,Interview, May 2021
IN MY ROOM, Kölnische Rundschau, Interview, May 2021
IN MY ROOM, Kölner Stadtanzeiger, May 2021
IN MY ROOM, ZEITmagazin, Christoph Amend, April 2021
Kids im Ruhemodus, annabelle, CH, March 2021
Walden, MilK Korea, September 2020
IN MY ROOM, Die Zeit, May 2020
IN MY ROOM, Kölner Illustrierte, Interview, May 2020
Where were you in´82?, VKFW, October 2019
Interview, Pirouette Blog, December 2018
Chit Chat Tuesday Interview, Junior Style, January 2018
Mitbringsel, Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung, September 2012
Lüg mich glücklich, Kölnische Rundschau, April 2011
Hug a tree, Reichshof Kurier, June 2010
Hug a tree, Oberbergische Volkszeitung, May 2010
Curators statement
FELI & PEPITA come from the world of fashion. Their works are inspired by a variety of textiles and fabrics that are used either as stand-alone material for their artworks or - as in their photography - focus on a special quality in each case. The independent characteristics of the material - the curvature of its surface, the haptic structure, the individual reflection of light - is the starting point. The two are working along the possibilities which derive from the material itself; its essence is conveyed into new contexts through form- finding. Often, the work concentrates on specifics of the material, such as flesh-colored stockings turn into soft, fragile animal skins, or a lively mosaic forms from fashion photography of fur coats. However, there are also surprising turns in which, for example, the inconspicuous potential of black plastic cords is activated into a thick shiny Rapunzel braid. Color combinations, patterns and structures are central in the photography of FELI & PEPITA. The compilation of many similar images to one common work directs the sight on both, the totality and the individual image. Here, the fashion related background crystallizes into an interest in the cultural codes of clothing. The two observe accurately how subtle features of recognition, often used by their wearers for conscious and fine distinction, are democratized by their own success through increasing publicity. In the end, these features spread themselves in form of plagiarisms and imitations far beyond their original contexts, like the well known Burberry pattern. FELI & PEPITA mark the variety of materials that determines the western everyday life as a carrier of cultural references. They are always able to tell a bit more than what seemed possible at first glance.
Melanie Bono, Curator, Munich, Germany
VITA
Pepita von Ehrenfeld
Born in Wesseling, a german industrial city, she lives and works in Cologne.
At the age of 12 she discovers her talent for painting and develops her passion for art and fashion.
Studies of art, art history, african studies und islam science at University of Cologne.
Since then she does paintings, photographic works and installations.
She worked as fashion stylist for fashion, commercials and celebrities.
Freelance fashion editor for magazines like Kid´s Wear Magazine, Donna, Stern, Bunte, Gala, Cosmopolitan and Fashion Today.
The first collaboration with Feli Saint Michel on the project “Oostendenaars“, by photo artist Johannes Booz, which was exhibited at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Oostende, Belgium and printed as book.
Costume design for the movie „I love you baby“, directed by Nick Lyon.
Numerous travels take her to the United States, to work in LA, Miami, San Francisco and New York.
For many years she visited several times Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Other travels take her to countries in Asia, like India, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
As stylist she collaborates with many famous photographers like Tim Petersen, Nick Clements, Markus Jans, Andy Tan, Elliston Lutz and Marcel Hartmann, to name a few.
Since 2007 she works together with Feli Fla on their common art production and photographic work.
Feli Saint Michel
Born in Bergneustadt, the son of a German-Algerian couple moves immediately with his family to Wesseling, Germany.
Studies of German literature, political science, sociology and philosophy at University of Cologne.
Member of several music bands and projects, like Sally Davis Junior and New Sonic. Concerts, performances and LP / CD´s
Freestyle video / photographic works and sound installations.
Beside his musical work he becomes a Puppeteer for german TV Show „Hurra Deutschland“.
Always interested in people, he starts working as a freelance casting agent and walks around with his camera to find new talents and faces.
Works as copywriter for the international advertising agency Grey.
Since 2001 he works as photographer, fashion stylist and costume designer for music videos, advertising and fashion. This work takes him to numerous places around the world.
He runs the party series Discorobics and Dorfdisco in Cologne clubs as DJ and host.
WDR WestArt
VOGUE Germany, May/June 2021