Edwige

Edwige was one of the most famous Parisian nightlife models, late 70s early 80s. She was crowned "Queen of Punks" after appearing on the cover of "Façade" magazine with Andy Warhol, "The Pope of Pop," with whom she made her first trip to New York. He mentioned her in his "Diaries", photographed her, took her to Studio 54 and the Mudd Club where she met the elite of the NY underground: Maripol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, the punk and No Wave groups. On Edwige's return to Paris, Fabrice Emaer, owner of the Palace (über famous Parisian nightclub) offered her the door for its opening in '78. (She was later replaced by Jenny Belair and Paquita Paquin.) Edwige and her blonde disshevelled short hair was photographed by the most famous photographers in the world, such as Helmut Newton, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Pierre & Gilles among others. She also occasionally walked the runway for Jean-Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler. In 1979, Claude Arto approached her and together they formed Mathématiques Modernes, a new-wave pop duet. Their single "Disco Rough," produced by Jacno, came out in 1980 and was the NME's "single of the week." Album art was by Pierre & Gilles. The album "Visiteurs du Soir" followed in 1982. Edwige also appeared in various movies, most fun she says was Phillipe Gautier's "La marque du destin" with Pascal Greggory; Arielle Domsbale's directorial's debut film (again with Pascal Greggory), and Jean Marie Perier's "Sale rêveur" with Lea Massari and Jacques Dutronc. Edwige then left Paris for Japan where she worked as a model and started a local band. Throughout the 80s, Edwige went back and forth from New York to Paris. In New York she sang with Robert Arron and promoted several nights at Area, Danceteria, and the Palladium. She had her own nights, "The Beat Cocktail Lounge," and "The Lazy Lounge." In Paris she continued to record and sang at the Bains-Douches with yet another group, formed in New York, Jungle Geisha (she sang and played sax.) She then played in Eric Mitchell's "Eurydices in the Avenues" with Vincent Gallo, and starred in "Because the Dawn" a short film by Amy Goldstein, which received a prize at the SF Film Fest. In 1987 the night darkened... Edwige left for a Hindu ashram in India for several years, rediscovered herself, learned yoga and began to teach. Back in force in the 90s, she started to sing again, and returned to nightlife with parties at Tunnel and Life, and sang at Bard'O with the legendary Joey Arias. With Erich Conrad she started the famous parties "Beige". She worked in nightclubs, sang occasionally, worked on set decors (TV, music videos, commercials and special events) and lived happily in Brooklyn.