Like a cat, Sophie Bramly has had nine lives. By turns photographer, author, producer, documentary filmmaker, marketing director, entrepreneur… When she started out as an independent photographer, she moved to New York and began documenting the emergence of hip hop in the Bronx, before returning to London in 1987 to create MTV Europe and the legendary show « YO ! », where she invited American rappers as well as the very first MCs in Europe. More recently, Sophie has authored a feminist treatise titled « un matin j’étais féministe » (One Morning, I Was a Feminist). Meet a living legend.
COULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF?
Sophie Bramly, 5’8, colorful, ridiculously optimistic, and galvanized by progress.
COULD YOU TELL US BRIEFLY ABOUT YOUR CAREER?
Instead of taking the highway, I chose the back roads, quite often changing direction: I started off as a photographer in the music business (in the 80’s), then I became a producer of music shows on television. I took care of singers after that, before diving head first into the internet (still in the music business, in the 90’s). The web rekindled my feminism (in the aughts) as well as the idea that sexuality is the best means of empowerment (I started a website, made films, audiotexts, etc.). Then, when social media showed me the less glorious aspects of human nature, I returned to photography and documentaries, which made it possible to see things my way, which is slightly different...
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT PARIS?
The feeling of being in the heart of Europe, which I’m more emotionally attached to than ever. Crossing the bridges over the Seine, where I feel like I have a perspective, in all senses of the word. Several food establishments that make me lose my head, and a few vestiges of erotic Paris that boggle the mind. The stories told by the faces of people walking around alone, lost in their thoughts.
Sophie Bramly's Yo! will be published by Soul Jazz Books in November
Instagram : @sophiebramly
Credits:
- Photographer: Alexander Guirkinger
- Artistic Direction: Cleo Charuet
- Styling: Claire Thomson-Jonville
Sophie is wearing a Milkman in Smooth Calfskin Black from our permanent collection.
