Paris Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier AW13

ean Paul Gaultier decided to present next season’s collection in his historical home, the Salle Wagram, where we saw some of his most memorable collections of the eighties and nineties – around the time when Madonna and the conical bras designed for her launched him into the fashion limelight. 

Like invitations, the choice of location can also lend itself as a foreword to the collection, and from this choice it would be safe assume there will be some sort of trip down memory lane – that it was.

There were long, flowing pleated skirts, modified marinière stripes and a myriad of furs in the form of coats and trenches. The pointy bra did of course make an appearance in shapely peplum jackets, though this time it was more akin to body armour. 

Doused in nostalgia, the collection had a punk-esque, glam rock vibe to it as the models sported scruffy David Bowie slash Ziggy Stardust mullets and layers of leather. As a whole it felt more like variations of his iconic pieces as opposed to a fun, new take on them - simply put, it was a reel of his heyday moments in fashion.

Images: Style.com

My piece above is published on www.theglassmagazine.com where I regularly contribute.

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring Summer Couture 2013

There was not a trace of doubt about the theme at Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture show – with the catwalk bathed in warm amber light, guests seated in sections named after famous Indian dishes and Edith Piaf’s song La Vie En Rose in Hindi played in the background, it was clear inspiration was drawn from the exotic – India.

It was a case of two different worlds – quintessentially Parisian couturier meets the spices of the East – gracefully colliding into one another.  The collection began with a tight colour balance before swiftly bursting into a fanfare of flame, saffron and chartreuse. Patchwork gowns, lavish embroideries and Indian style layering were all present, as were some of Gaultier’s trademark pieces – the trench coat in shimmering gold snakeskin and of course the Blonde Ambition corset.

While Gaultier did not necessarily break new ground, he did have one surprise up his sleeve for the finale – the bride’s structured overblown skirts lifted to give birth to four sweet little children.

Images courtesy of style.com

My piece above is published on www.theglassmagazine.com where I contribute regularly.