Desireless

When we think of Desireless, the stage name of Claudie Fritsch-Mentrop, it is almost impossible not to evoke the sound of Voyage, voyage. This single, which became an international phenomenon between 1986 and 1988, resonated on the charts of numerous countries. Its music video, directed by Bettina Rheims, featured Desireless with a cold and androgynous aesthetic, a style reminiscent of other female figures of the time such as Annie Lennox or Grace Jones. The song was not only a massive sales success, exceeding five million copies, but also quickly became an anthem in European clubs, reaching high positions even in Russia.

Before her breakthrough in the music scene, Claudie Fritsch-Mentrop explored the world of fashion design and made several trips to India in 1980. It was after these experiences that she found her way into singing. A key encounter was in 1984 with producer Jean-Michel Rivat, with whom she began collaborating. The following year, in 1985, she met French composer François Tabah, with whom she shared eighteen years of life. Although she had previously been part of the group Air 89 —which should not be confused with the later Electro project known as Air—, it was the release of Voyage, voyage in 1986 under the name Desireless that marked a decisive turning point in her career.