The Fashion World Of
Jean Paul Gaultier
-From the sidewalk to the catwalk-
‘This exhibition is the study of pure creativity.’
‘It embraces contemporary couture fashion as an art form.’
‘It revises individuality and youthfulness.‘
Opening to the public on Wednesday, 9th April – Jean Paul Gaultier’s fashion rampage continues its world wide tour, this time stopping off at London’s Barbican Centre. Having been lucky enough to get a sneak preview and to be at the press launch and private view…..(no sadly not as an invited guest but as the hired help!) I got to listen in and look on as the fashion elite paraded through the Barbican art gallery to take in over four decades of JPG’s ‘witty and boundary pushing’ designs.
At the press launch Jean Paul spoke passionately about his ‘special relationship’ with London saying all his memories of visiting were of having fun, gaining inspiration and always feeling the unique energy that can only be found on the streets of London. He went on to express that parts of the exhibition where to pay homage to his love of the look and spirt of the British fashion scene.
He reminisced about one of his first trips to London in the 1970’s, seeing the ‘Rocky Horror Show’ live on stage and loving it! He said only in London would you find people with such a sense of fun, and that even now you can still see a bit of ‘Rocky Horror’ in his designs.
The exhibition which is on tour going to eight different venues around the world has had some very special additions made just for the London showing. JPG said he was very inspired by the Punk movement in London in 1973 and so a mohawk measuring one meter in height was added to the show, as well as some of his most recent British muses such as the late Amy Winehouse (pictured above.)
Making this exhibition even more unique and bringing it right up to date are some very special mannequins. Wanting a cinematographic experience Jean Paul and curator of the exhibition Thierry Maxime decided to project faces onto each of them. When asked why, Jean Paul simply said, ‘it’s peoples faces that inspire me.’
So as I said earlier, even though I would have loved to be one of the many fashion folk that attended the V.I.P launch alas, I was not. There’s me, at the back (with the specs) working the event, however I got just as much inside scoop as the rest of the world wide press! I may be an outsider, but I always manage to find a way in.
Making his Royal entrance to the launch party held in the Barbicans Stunning Conservatory, Jean Paul Gaultier had a very special plus one, Her Majesty the Queen! …..Or what was it an extremely good look a like?! For his outfit he decided to pay homage to Ms Jolie (below). While guests enjoyed countless glasses of champagne, entertainment by Rufus Wainwright and of course the exhibition itself the models and promotional artists handed out gift-bags all with one of JPGs’ signature scents inside.
After seeing the exhibition myself I can guarantee that if you’re in to your fashion or simply enjoy a good art gallery trip, this one is not to be missed! It even has the iconic body corset worn by Madonna in her 1990 ‘Blond Ambition’ World tour!! With over 190 haute couture and ready to wear garments created between the 1970’s and now, there is plenty to see. So go on pay a visit 🙂
Over and out,
Little Miss Winney x
The Fashion World Of
Jean Paul Gaultier
-From the sidewalk to the catwalk-
Open:
Sat – Wed 10am – 6pm
Thu – Fri 10am – 9pm
Bank Holidays 12pm – 8pm
Tickets:
Standard – £14.50
Concessions – £ 12.50
barbican.org.uk
Box Office – 02076388891
