TRAVELING IN STYLE.....Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

Couture Mon Dieu!!!

Museum Boys: David Paul (left) and Nick Verreos (right), de Young Museum "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk" Exhibition

Last weekend, as part of my trip to Macy's Union Square San Francisco, I got some time off from my hosting duties and got to experience some "culture": I went to "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to Catwalk" Exhibition in San Francisco's famed de Young Museum. The exhibit began in March with a VIP Gala party attended by Gaultier, Suzy Menkes, A-List Hollywood Celebs, SF social mavens and drag queens alike...

The exhibition ends in August and well, I just had to see it before it was too late. My NIKOLAKI design partner--David Paul--as well as his mom Conchita (who was in from San Diego) came with me.

Signed Wall: Jean Paul Gaultier autograph, de Young Museum, "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk"

This dynamic, multimedia exhibition includes 140 haute couture and prêt-à-porter designs created between the mid-1970s and 2010, along with numerous sketches, archival documents, fashion photographs, and video clips that spotlight Gaultier’s collaborations with filmmakers, choreographers, and musicians, most notably Madonna (keep reading).

Talking Gaultier: de Young Museum, "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk"

For this presentation, Gaultier partnered with the Montreal-based theater company Ubu Compagnie de Création in the design of 30 animated mannequins who talk and sing in playful and poetic vignettes. Besides these "talking mannequins", there was a "moving runway" which also featured many of his designs.

Highlights...

Faux Suit and Native American Wedding Goddess, de Young Museum, "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk"

There were many. The exhibit was marvelous in its all-encompassing grasp of Gaultier's world. I LOVED every minute of it. It was amazing to be so close to the awe-inspiring handwork of Haute Couture and seeing the gowns and tailleur. I LOVED his "faux" suit where a gray jacket sat affixed to straps on the mannequin...and the Native American Wedding Gown: Perfection (both seen in above pics).

Gaultier Nautical Princess: A striped sweater and feathered gown creation: (right) as worn on Princess Caroline of Hanover and on the mannequin (right), de Young Museum, "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk"

Barbarella Couture: A look from Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2009 Haute Couture Collection modeled by Magdalena Frackowiak (left) and on a mannequin in the de Young Museum "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk" exhibition.

Je T'aime Afrique: A Jean Paul Gaultier "Mask" and silk tulle wedding gown from his Spring/Summer 2005 Haute Couture Collection on the runway (right) and in the de Young Museum "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk"exhibition (left)

 And then, there's...MADONNA:

Cone Bra Tribute:  Madonna Costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. de Young Museum "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk" exhibition

Of course there were several sections of the exhibition paying homage to Madonna and her costume collaborations with Jean Paul Gaultier, including the famous--or is it infamous--cone-bra.

 

Fashion Illustration Heaven: I LOVED seeing the fashion illustrations from Gaultier of Madonna's various costumes designed by the French designer (above photos)...

Ride 'em Couture: Another highlight was seeing some of the costumes Gaultier designed for Madonna's "Confessions" tour--Jean Paul Gaultier Costumes for Madonna, de Young Museum "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk" exhibition

It was a FABULOUS exhibition and I was so happy to have seen it! If you guys are in San Francisco and LOVE fashion, costume exhibits, Haute Couture, and Madonna...it is a MUST-SEE!

Click HERE for all the details.