Haute Couture (SS07): Jean Paul Gaultier

Religion is a delicate subject to use as fashion inspiration and the French designer Jean Paul Gaultier trod a fine line between reverence and blasphemy in his haute couture collection


Gaultier took the Virgin Mary as an iconic symbol, furnishing his models - including the burlesque performer Dita Von Teese - with halo head-dresses in stained glass, plastic, flowers and metal.

The models' hair was styled in the manner of medieval religious paintings, combed in long strands on either side of their faces, which were painted with coloured tears.

An ecclesiastical mood, reminiscent of painted, wooden icons and Russian Orthodox churches, permeated the clothes which were often robe-like, in jewel-toned silk and pastel chiffon, with hooded cloaks, floating panels and trains.

Other gowns featured prints and patchwork details of angels and cherubs among stylised clouds.

The British model Erin O'Connor appeared in a long gown, printed like stained glass windows in a church, with a fabric "corsage" of a naked baby boy perched on her left shoulder.
Other models appeared in elaborate crocheted gowns with their hair twisted into metal halos to resemble the rays of the sun.


The collection was inspired by the elaborate costumes and regalia of the former Maharajahs of India

Colour analysis: in each outfit, he used different valuse ( different lightness of colour)

Haute Couture (SS07): Jean Paul Gaultier

jean paul gaultier. the virgin mary never looked so cool

I loved JPG's retrospective ss07 collection, but I think I'm loving his HC collection even more. I love the minimalism with decadence idea. It's really beautiful. I really love the halo head-pieces (I'm definitely sensing some religious theming ... ) and the 20's channelling that's going on! Anyway, this collection, as well as being fabulous, has impeccable hair and make-up and that is VERY important. It's gotten me VERY amped for JPG aw07!!


part 1

part 2

Eugenia - in a beautifully stylish LBD with , pockets and PIG-TAILS! Adoring.

Beuati - this sits perfectly. Exactly how HC should be! Great fabric, too.

Lily - another perfect fit, and a perfect model-choice, too. The colour looks fabulous on Lily and I love the sleeve-length.

Erin - as soon as I saw this, I thought: stained-glass windows in a cathedral. Exactly!

Morgane - sparkly disco combined with churchy goodness ... is this a theme, Mr. Gaultier?

menswear collection of Jean Paul Gaultier

"Saying that this fabric or that colour is for a boy and another colour or fabric is for a girl is as ridiculous as saying this vegetable can only be eaten by a boy or this drink is only suitable for a girl. It is so silly; but we do it all the time."

Since his first menswear collection in 1984, Jean-Paul Gaultier has constantly questioned traditional ideas about men's appearance and behaviour. Gaultier believes that there is no clothing, with the exception of the bra, that is intrinsically male or female. He made his most definitive statement on the subject when he launched the "skirt for men" in his Spring/Summer collection 1985 collection "Et Dieu Créa L'Homme" ("And God Created Man"), a pastiche of Roger Vadim's classic 1957 film "Et Dieu Créa La Femme" which starred Brigitte Bardot.

The (in)famous bustier designed by Jean Paul Gautier for Madonna's "Blond Ambition" Tour in 1990, and (on the right) the men's bustier designed for Madonna's dancers on that tour.