Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fashion Show Paris FW2015

Jean Paul Gaultier has been doing the #throwback quite a lot lately. With his retrospective exposition, naturally, and with his final ready to wear show, of course. But apart from those career milestones he has been staying true to his success numbers anyway, bringing back to life his mariniere stripes, trenchcoats and cone bras every single time. Today’s JPG couture show was no exception. His first look worn by Anna Cleveland already gave that away. Striped knee high socks and sailor hats welcomed us in Brittany as the collection evolved from rather casual into spectacle. Gold threated embroideries on a number of black outfits put the couture in the collection halfway the show. Circular skirts, towering high hats (or was it hair?), double pointy shoulders and fur detailing added some extra playfulness. Designs to love and to hate. The final creation, fully made out of animal skin/fur sure made a lot of people frown. But JPG won’t be bothered. He has earned his stripes in the fashion world and is having more fun than ever.

Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk Fashion Show Paris Womenswear SS2015

Jean Paul Gaultier’s collections seemed to be ‘best of’ collections for the last few seasons. The talented designer mostly celebrated his biggest success designs, like his signature trenchcoat, the Breton stripe, pinstripe, the corset etc. His shows with guest appearances of Madonna and Dita von Teese were true spectacles, yet new trends, hypes or refreshing ideas seemed missing. Perhaps a run up towards this weekends’ show, his last prêt-à-porter show, described by many as the end of an era. Jean Paul Gaultier, unlike some of his fellow designers, knows when to stop and he sure went out with a bang. No ordinary last runway show, but a beauty pageant was the setting for his grande finale. ‘Élection​ de Miss Jean Paul Gaultier 2015’ was divided into sections including the designer’s most recognizable work and some new side stories. A start of black and white tailoring followed up by colorful sportive and printed creations. Then some glittery ensembles, scarf printed designs, patchwork denim and shiny, streetwise gold. Some models were even dressed up as fashion’s most famous figures like Grace Coddington, Carine Roitfeld and Suzy Menkes. What an honor! And as if they were strutting the real streets models carried phones, umbrellas, flowers, footballs, cans of food and dogs. Some ‘older girls’ paraded in a few black outfits as tuxedo variations made their appearance. Mexican wrestling ladies with an attitude formed the finale of the show. And when Jean Paul Gaultier himself entered the runway wearing a ribbon stating ‘L’enfant terrible’ it was cheering and smiles everywhere. This was JPG prêt-à-porter.

Jean Paul Gaultier Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2013

Leave it up to Jean Paul to come up with a surprising show idea every season. After his Michael Jackson, Grace Jones, Boy George-styled womenswear show of last season he, this time, entertained us with a strip show. Dressed in the many Gaultier classics his models stripped down to their grey colored long johns and leather boots. We saw forties influences and seventies style details given a subtle modern touch. Pinstriped suits, overalls with power shoulders, turtlenecks worn underneath fully buttoned shirts, a red pleated skirt and a camel colored jacket with studded arms were among the most outstanding pieces. Lots of recognizable pieces JPG has previously worked on. We can’t wait till the opening of his Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk exposition in the Netherlands next month. So we can take a close look at what may have been the foundation of this collection.

Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2013

It felt like a Best Of collection and..well.. it kind of was. In about twenty minutes Gaultier presented “An homage to all the pop stars of the eighties”. Artist who, the designer himself, has dressed at the top of their game. We had a blast looking at Grace Jones, Boy George, Madonna, Amanda Lear , Annie Lenox, David Bowie and Michael Jackson look-a-likes. Yet to say JPG exceeded himself with this XL collection would be a little exaggerative. It was a spectacle and an enumeration of what Gaultier does best. Striped suits, corsets, cone bras, overalls; all styled to the max, like usual at a JPG show. It sure looked like Jean Paul had a blast putting this highly entertaining show together. Let’s hope the designer keeps on dressing great artists like the ones represented today. We would love another Greatest Hits collection in about ten years from now.

 

Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk Fashion Show FW2012

Tough, funky, crazy, grungy, four words to describe the Jean Paul Gaultier that was a little bit of everything. The French artist showed suits, leather jacket, lots of coats and some evening dressed.

Dark leather looks were followed by bright animal details (snake prints and fur) and later changed into metallic velvet pieces. All looks were very much layered. And the strangest clothing combinations popped up. Like a leather jacket worn over a suit, a parka combined with a LBD and his beloved trench coat turned into a skirt.

The collection felt young, indicated by the models duo colored hair, graffiti printed outfits and in your face fur. On the catwalk looks might seem a little over the top, but if you leave out the crazy JPG styling you’ll end up with some great, quite wearable show stopping pieces.

 

 

Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

At Jean Paul Gaultier richly styled models walked the runway. They were dressed to the max in full on forties looks topped off by funky fedoras.

One of the most eyecatching things about the collection was a brick print, which we funny enough already saw at Moschino and which Marloes Blaas is planning on showing us during Amsterdam Fashion Week as well.

Some of the designs (strong coats) looked like an immediate hit, others (the colorful fur vests) not so much. There were of course some typical JPG items in the mix, like a few (maxi!) skirts, striped sweaters (in velvet red) and shiny trenches/parkas.

Presented on the runway it all appeared to be a little too much of everything. But when you look past the rich styling and just observe the unique designs on their own you’ll see a true artist has been working his skills..

Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2012

Seeing a nice outfit you’d like to buy? Just write down the number the model was holding. The Jean Paul Gaultier show went on like shows back in the days; narration in French and English and models holding cards with look numbers on it. They even got dressed where everyone could see them; at the backdrop of the show.

The collection was signature JPG; trench coats, stripes and lingerie. This time he made many of his looks oversize with flare maxi-lengths.

The pieces all had a lot going. Never was a pair of pants just a pair of pants. JPG added unexpected (but fun) details to every look, like pockets, slits, cutouts, draping, sheerness and asymmetry. Not to mention the extreme accessories (nose piercings, multiple earrings, necklaces and bracelets with black pearls and crosses and tattoos.

It was the grungiest JPG collection we’ve seen in a long time, but we kinda liked it.

Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2012

Jean Paul Gaultier kept it simple during his ss2012 presentation, the showroom was the dressing-room was the stage. So the audience, sitting at the tables where normally buyers write their orders, witnessed the models getting dressed and send off to the catwalk. It was a nice setting to underline the commercial purpose of JPG’s collection. Because it’s all about selling, no.

And commercial it was, from the Hawaiian prints to the sailor-sweaters. There were tailored jackets, fluid silk pants and natty shorts, but also the biker jackets and sporty blouson jackets with tailored pants. It was low key, but effective. Nothing new, all salable.

Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

Jean Paul Gaultier likes joking around with fashion a little. And so he did yesterday, by taking La bourgeoise sans age as his muse. You know, those maturing beauties who dress their age but still want to shine a little. And they are sooo French.

Gaultier took the traditional dressing of the upper class – tweeds, tailored trousers, cardigans, blouses, deux pieces, pinstripe – and reworked them. The models came dressed as matrons in gray beehives and kitten heels and were totally covered up, no button was left unbuttoned. There were even turtlenecks worn under long, straight dresses. And during their walk the models liberated themselves from something, a glove, a shoe, a coat. It was fun to watch and the message was clear: mature women look great in Jean Paul Gaultier!

Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2011

Jean Paul Gaultier’s menswear show was one big spectacle. It started with turning & flipping ninjas and the introduction of Blond. James Blond, the androgynous model Andrej Pejic with his long blond wavy hair.

The collection was filled with tuxedo’s in the most diverse examples; tuxes with hot pants and fishnets, tuxes with long, navy-buttoned skirts, and a whole passage of neoprene jackets and tuxes with wet suits. Golden pants were padded, jackets were embossed. And in between all that funny fashion JPG also introduced his brand new collection of shades, he designed for Alain Mikli. Pure fashion entertainment.

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