Jamaican musician, supermodel, actor and muse Grace Jones met the French artist, illustrator and photographer Jean-Paul Goude in New York one night in the late 70s. In a 2009 interview with WWD, Jean-Paul described how their relationship started: “In 1977 or ’78, I met Grace and it was a period of decadence. People were still doing lots of drugs and I had been working so hard for so long and she made me part of her lifestyle, made me go out dancing at Studio 54. She became an obsession and we did everything together.”
They went on to create some of the most iconic album covers of all time, and imagery that has influenced photography for decades. Though their romantic relationship faltered, they have a son, Paulo, and continue to be friends. It is no surprise then, that Jean-Paul appears in Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, a documentary filmed over a decade by Sophie Fiennes about Grace’s incredible life both on stage and at home with her family in Jamaica.
In a clip premiering exclusively on i-D ahead of Bloodlight and Bami screening events tonight, Grace wears a disco ball bowler hat by her favourite milliner Stephen Jones as Jean-Paul shoots her clutching a bottle of champagne. Sitting down together after the shoot Grace speaks candidly about their romantic relationship, telling Jean-Paul, “I always still say you’re the only man made me buckle at my knees.” Watch the video for his reaction, and catch Bloodlight and Bami in cinemas from tonight.
Grace Jones & Friends Live is in cinemas nationwide for one night only on 25 October and Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami is in cinemas from 27 October.