Topolino apprenticed at L'Atelier Parallèle in Marseille, where he learned the basics of his trade: hairstyling, fashion, make-up and manicure. The 80s saw a revival in fashion. It was the moment he chose to move up to the capital and shake up the codes with his chic, inexpensive signature, mixing cultures and eras.
His inspiration comes purely from his imagination and his view of the world of childhood, nourished by fantasy, fairy tales and legends. Topolino loves clowns and cartoons.
In 1995, just ten years into his career, his bubbling talent was a marvel to behold. A friend of designer Fred Sathal and hairstylist Barnabé, they formed the Marseilles trio that swept the capital.
Topo is the little mouse we were able to tame long enough to invite him to express himself in his city and at the Musée de la Mode. Time also to seal a beautiful friendship.
This first exhibition consecrated an artistic, creative and spontaneous discipline, the Art of Make-up. Topolino became the most sought-after make-up artist and the most inventive for designers such as Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy, star photographers from Mondino to Nick Knight, and the most cutting-edge magazines Vogue, The Face & ID.
Topolino's intimate scenography recomposed his "home", with chests of drawers to hold souvenirs, sofas to welcome visitors as friends, time to share his work, leaf through his magazines and present the personal work of his assistants.
Here's what poet Julien Blaine had to say about him: "He who turns women into fairies. He diverts all materials. He recovers everything (Zip bandages...). He floods you with a world of glitter. With his Marseilles accent, he has fun with everything. He's the one that the biggest names in photography snatch up. He gives us food for thought about an age-old art form that he constantly renews with tenderness, humor, passion and talent."
