The imagination of a man like Jean Paul Gaultier almost escapes description. For nearly four decades, the world has seen his irrepressible vision take shape in ways that not only changed the game but actually exploded it–whether on the human body, in the cinema, or all over our interiors. Today, one of the last standing couturiers at the helm of his own empire, Gaultier continues to perfect and probe the relationship between fashion and enterprise. Humberto Leon interviewed him in celebration of his very first international retrospective–The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts–which opened Friday, June 17.

Humberto Leon: Happy belated birthday! What did you do to celebrate?
Jean Paul Gaultier: Thank you. I am on this detox diet at the moment, so I couldn’t even have my birthday cake – I just had a tiny slice.

HL: What was your favorite birthday party of all time?
JPG: I don’t usually make a big fuss of my birthdays; it is something private and intimate. I did have a party for my fiftieth birthday, and I arrived in drag.

HL: This year also marks the 35th anniversary of your first runway collection. And despite nearly 4 decades in the industry, your designs continue to feel new and fresh. How do you seek inspiration?
JPG: Inspiration is never a problem; I usually have too much of it. I sometimes want to say too many things at once. Everything I see can inspire me: the cinema, theater, music.

HL: With Jean Paul Gaultier, you have cultivated a brand in a way that hadn’t been done previously, using a lifestyle approach that explored markets beyond standard ready-to-wear. How did this 360-degree view of fashion–which included home design, children’s wear, and beauty–come about? Did you learn about branding from your apprenticeship with Pierre Cardin at age 18?
JPG: No, I learned about freedom from Mr. Cardin. There was an absolute freedom in his studio. I would give him a drawing of an outfit, and he would say, “Great, you can do that now as furniture”. I worked for him in 1970, and he had just opened a theater, but he also did his shows there. He had assistants from all over the world–it was the first time I tried Japanese food with my colleagues from work. It was a great time, and it taught me that you have to have a free spirit to succeed.

HL: You have had some illustrious help yourself. What do you think of former assistant Nicolas Ghesquière’s work for Balenciaga?
JPG: I think that he’s doing a very good job for Balenciaga.

HL: If you were to leave your brand, what qualities would you look for in a successor?
JPG: Well, I don’t know–not leaving yet.

HL: You continue to work with some of the most exciting musicians in the industry, from Madonna to Kylie Minogue to Lady Gaga. Are there any other contemporary pop stars you have your eye on?
JPG: I have had the privilege to have worked with those that I admire, whether it be Madonna [in music] or Pedro Almodóvar in the cinema. I don’t know, there are interesting people out there, but they have to want to work with me.

Read the rest of the interview here.

Humberto Leon Interviews Jean Paul Gaultier is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Piper Heidsieck have called on Jean Paul Gaultier to collaborate on a special limited edition bottle for their Brut Cuvee. The bottle is said to be inspired by Gaultier’s own designs and the Parisian night life. The bottle is also accompanied by a ice bucket and glasses as part of the collaboration.  The exclusive bottle is available from Piper Heidsieck.

Source: Highsnobiety

Piper Heidsieck x Jean Paul Gaultier ‘Brut Cuvée’ is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

While window shopping in Paris, Humberto of Opening Ceremony spotted these at the Jean Paul Gaultier Pataguas flagship store. An exclusive collaboration, these Jean Paul Gaultier Pataugas were not to be produced past this current season. However, Opening Ceremony stores have managed to create one more exclusive run of these for the US Opening Ceremony stores!

Available for both men and women, I would be quick about it! These will not be around for very much longer! Shop here.

source

Jean Paul Gaultier Pataugas at Opening Ceremony is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Source: Selectism

‘La Suite Elle Decoration’ by Jean-Paul-Gaultier is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Its that time of the year again, and Fashion Week’s are hitting us left, right and centre. Its hectic from a press standpoint, but even more so behind the scenes. In preview at colette, “The Day Before” is a box series published by Arte and directed by Loïc Prigent, made up of 4 documentaries where the journalist films the daily life of a fashion brand, 36 hours before their fashion shows.

Experience the rhythm of Sonia Rykiel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld and New Yorkers Proenza Schouler. “The Day Before” is a series where we find the intensity of life, with moments of joy, stress, humor and anxiety. An anthem to fashion, an ode to life, presented on preview at colette for 3 weeks from January 15.

Available online for €34.00.

Loïc Prigent is the man behind the great Marc Jacobs documentary released in 2008, if you enjoyed that, this box set is an extension of the same raw insight. If you haven’t seen the Marc Jacobs documentary, heres a clip below, but you need to see the whole DVD, its a must see for anyone interested in fashion.

The Day Before | Loic Prigent Box Set is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Levi’s continue their long line of collaborations, if you take note at those relationships that have really stood out, you can’t go past the likes of Junya Watanabe, Damien Hirst, Robert Geller and Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fenom line, Jean-Paul Gaultier is likely to be added to that short list. The iconic french designer takes his own signature approach to the classic denim items, by using horizontal stripes and bondage detailing. The small capsule collection consists of 2 jackets, denim jeans and shorts.

Images: Milk/HS

Jean-Paul Gaultier X Levi’s is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

These pieces have been shown in various cities such as London, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York, Moscow, Dubaï, Melbourne and of course Paris. These astounding designs will be presented at colette March 16th-21st and at Maison Baccarat March 24th-30th before being auctioned next April 7th at 8pm at Artcurial, to raise money for the RAMSAR convention, which Evian supports for more than 10 years.

Baccarat x Jean-Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Evian Collection is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Playing with materials and light so that only the crystal-clear brilliance of water shines through, the designer illustrates Evian “heart and soul” in a collection of  unique bottles. These few jewels dressed-up by pure and precious Baccarat crystals will be presented at an event in Paris before travelling the world to be exhibited at exclusive locations. The collection will be auctioned off and the proceeds donated to RAMSAR, whose work in preserving the planet’s wetlands has been a cause dear to Evian over 10 years.

By playing with traditional rules, Jean Paul Gaultier has created something that is both contemporary and surprising.

Jean Paul Gaultier For Evian is a post from: SLAMXHYPE