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.
Toreador Entrance: Vogue Magazine European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles at de Young Museum "Balenciaga and Spain" Grand Opening Party
The Opening Night Bash for the de Young Museum's much-awaited "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition. Even though I didn't attend (I had to fly back to LA that night), I still found photos of the FABULOUS event. The Exhibition, curated by Vogue Magazine's European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles with assistance from Fine Arts Museum Curator Jill D'Alessandro, just opened and will run through July 4Th. It spans the couturier's life and includes 120 pieces. I am returning to the City by the Bay in late June so...YOU KNOW I will be going so I'll have a complete report of the exhibition--I hope!
And now onto the Party: Well, as expected it was a "Who's Who" of San Francisco Elite who showed up, all decked out in their finest Oscar de la Renta's, Carolina Herrera's and Ralph Rucci's. All the last names that dot the grand homes of the Marina, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Hillsborough: Getty, Traina, Wilsey, Hale...they were all in attendance for this black tie-and-gown affair. I'm sure the gown departments at Union Square's Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue were abuzz this last week! No borrowing here kids, it's all purchased! Even Anna Wintour made the transcontinental flight from NYC to San Francisco for the opening.
Here are some highlights of the Party Guests and their Couture:
Chatting Divas: Vogue Editor Anna Wintour (in Balenciaga sequined gown by Designer Nicolas Ghesquiere) and Fine Arts Museum/FAM Board President Dede Wilsey (who also has a Museum Court named after her!) wearing Oscar de la Renta lace and polka-dotted ball gown.
SF Doyennes: Exhibition Sponsor, the ever-elegant Denise Fitch, wearing Ralph Rucci silk tunic with feathers, and SF Retail Icon, Wilkes Bashford
All In Black: (Left to Right) Rosetta Getty, her husband, actor Balthazar Getty, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom
Blue Blood Class: Emma Fisher (left, in Rodarte) with her grandmother, exhibition co-sponsor (and Gap co-founder) Doris Fisher and mom, Randi Fisher
Mantillas: Alexis Traina, with her husband, Fine Arts Museum/FAM Trustee Trevor Traina and singer Vanessa Carlton
Flamenco Couture: Owner of "Ricky's Exceptional Treasures" Ebay Vintage Couture Store Ricky Serbin and Nob Hill Gazette social columnist Jennifer Raiser, wearing vintage Oscar de la Renta corseted red-and-black printed silk ball-gown
Perfect Couple: Investor and venture capitalist Bandel Carano and his wife, Paula Carano ,in a vintage Balenciaga black gown that looks very similar to...
Juicy Feathers: Juicy Couture founders Gela Nash-Taylor and Pamela Skaist-Levy wearing matching black feathered vests
Black Swan Beauties: Rodarte designers Kate Mulleavy and her sister, Laura Mulleavy
A-List: Actress Gywneth Paltrow with Fine Arts Museum Trustee Juliet de Baubigny
