So as I talked about in a previous post (here), my sister
and I went to the Vogue Festival just over a month ago. It was such a fun day
and Jean Paul Gaultier’s talk was absolutely the cherry on top.
French haute couture designer Gaultier has always been an
interest of mine. His designs have always been fun if not a little
controversial at times which I really admire. He was accompanied on stage by
model Erin O’Connor who he knows personally and profssionally. O’Connor remembers
first thinking of Gaultier as the Wizard of Oz, O’Connor was Dorothy and she
‘didn’t want to go home’. They both commented on their shared shyness something
you wouldn’t expect from such big characters in the industry. Gaultier
explained that his grandmother was his first muse who introduced him the corset,
something that Gaultier has remained interested in. Gaultier then confessed he
was not very accepted at school. Being a boy he was expected to enjoy football
which he didn’t, claiming he wasn’t very good at it. His interest was textiles.
He made a fake Balenciaga dress for one of his teddy bears, a reliable model
for his childhood creations.
Gaultier then went on to discuss his education. He says that
when he was young magazines were his source of learning about fashion. He would
devour fashion magazine after fashion magazine. He felt that if he could draw
clothes he’d find acceptance somewhere. It is because he could draw, he
believes, that he found his place in the industry. If you can’t communicate
your designs on paper you’ll struggle. McQueen was apparently the only one
Gaultier knew who could communicate his designs without necessarily drawing
them.
I loved Gaultier’s thoughts on variations of beauty. On make
up Gaultier told O’Connor he didn’t want it to ‘hide’ a model ‘I love it when
you can see different beauty’. O’Connor agreed that she was always allowed to
be herself in Gaultier’s clothes. He always wanted to convey a message, ‘you
were one of the first to challenge gender conformity’, O´Connor reminded him.
Gaultier of course being one of the primary designers to encourage skirts for
men in the eighties which brought both criticism and elation. Using fashion to
challenge gender stereotypes was a brave move on Gaultier’s part but one I
would like to see in more designers. There once was a day when women could not
wear trousers and look at us now. We have already come such a long way in
evolving views of gender and fashion is such an interesting and actually very
powerful part of this. Gaultier was really part of the catalyst for changing
gender perspectives not only in the industry but, from this, society as a
whole. I really hope these ideas continue to develop.
I really felt proud of the fashion industry as Gaultier
spoke. It’s a competitive industry. One that can shape society to an extent and
it’s so moving to know that there are individuals that are working in fashion
because it’s their dream; oh and for Gaultier because he’d love to dress the
Queen Mother.
Did any of you catch the industry experts talking at Vogue Fest? What are your thoughts on Gaultier?
H XX
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