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Jean-Paul Gaultier, the French couture designer, who rose to the top of his game in the mid-80s and a 90s is back on top this season. Best known as one of Madonna’s preferred designers, most people remember him for Madonna’s cone-bra featured in the 1990 Blond Ambition Tour. He is also known for bringing kilts (man skirts) back into fashion.
Gaultier, who has had no formal training, got his first break as an assistant to famed designer Pierre Cardin. In went on to work with Jean Patou and Jacques Esterel. Among his many achievements, Gaultier was one of the first designers to use full-figured models on the runway.
This year we see actresses like Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, and Naomi Watts wearing his designs. Featured in this year’s collection was the ripped and torn effect, combined with beaded tops and silk-draped skirts. Some of the Gaultier’s 2011 line also includes square-shouldered jackets, nautical stripes, biker jackets and even a metal breastplate. Known throughout the industry for his trench coats, this year’s line features accordion pleats.
The success of Gaultier’s line this year is the jewel in the fashion year that features a Gaulteir retrospective at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit entitled “From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” is scheduled to run from June 17 through October 2. The exhibit celebrates thirty-five years of the Gaultier label. Look for the exhibit to travel to the Dallas Museum of Art in November and to the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco in March 2012.
