Jean Paul Gaultier has courted eyeballs of the fashion world for his flamboyant behaviour, theatrical shows, designs which have been called religious at times and Madonna’s conical bra. But then, that’s how fashion legends are made, aren’t they? Mr Gaultier has introduced concepts which may be called eccentric by some and pure genius by others, such as making innerwear as outerwear, using stretch fabrics for skintight bodysuits and creating non gender-confirming dresses. Before him, nobody could have thought that these could be sold as luxury!
Introducing another such high fashion, unique concept is Mr Gaultier’s collaboration with Swarovski for his Summer 2014 Haute Couture collection. Although this is not the first time the designer has used Swarovski in his creations, this time, it’s certainly in a more prominent way.
A highlight of the collection is the reinterpretation of the humble denim jacket, which has been given a punk look with Swarovski crystal spikes and studs. To make these figures, Swarovski merged its crystals with these edgy 3D forms to create the crystal spikes and studs. The Diamond Rocker jacket, as it is called, is a sleeveless denim jacket and inspired by the leather biker jacket. Coupled with a satin dress on the ramp, the jacket glowed to perfection during the catwalk.
Mr Gaultier, commenting on his inspiration and aspiration for this jacket, says, “I’ve tried to realize a vintage denim jacket, that, all of a sudden, becomes studded by a haute couture biker, as if the biker himself would have done it, and clearly all this is magical, completely unique and the real Haute Couture.”
Technically, the denim biker jacket is created with metallic blue Swarovski components and incorporates spikes set like rivets, spike pendants, Chaton spikes banding and studs of various sizes. The accompanying accessories – the mega wrap-around earrings and the clutch – have received similar treatment as well.
There are other shimmering outfits in this collection. Reminding one of fluttering, delicate butterfly wings, the collection was light, and seemed like magic as it realized on the ramp. Though blue seemed to be the favourite shade of the designer, the collection, mercifully, gave a chance to shades of wine, red, pink and orange as well. Butterfly and Venetian feather headgears added a further dramatic effect to the show.
Standouts from the collection are a dress with multicolored mesh butterfly motifs and metal trimming; a crocheted dress combining a light fishnet material with metal trimmings and overlaid with multiple embroideries; and a stunning jet dress adorned with transfers reproducing a guipure motif. Something different from the Gaultier stable, the Swarovski crystal effect was extended to 15 other creations with the show-stopper earrings and bracelets made with Swarovski Crystals.
And speaking of show-stopper, the sultry Dita Von Teese made that appearance in a butterfly corset in the shades of black, blue and grey. And we think only she could have pulled off that one!
Beautiful and fantastical to the core, the collection speaks the language of Jean Paul Gaultier, yet shows a unique side of the designer.
