ARTFUL INSIGHT: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier

Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria was blessed to host Jean Paul Gaultier’s first international travelling exhibition dedicated to his revolutionary French couture.

The exhibition closed on Sunday to continue its world tour, with the final attendances reaching an amazing 226,918 people. 

“I just made it in time before the huge retrospect exhibition of Jean Paul Gaultier ended at the The National Gallery of Victoria.

 

The exhibition covered more than 140 garments, photographs, sketches, film and videos. It showcased Gaultier’s unconventional and playful works, which were featured in numerous runway shows, film, television, concerts and dance performances.

The costumes are as expected, theatrical and full of surprises, often provocative. Gaultier effortlessly combined medieval with contemporary, punk and formal wear with pop culture influences.

I found this spectacular overview of Gaultier’s work both cheeky and inspirational particularly due to the way it was presented, following different themes, rather than chronological display. I loved the mannequin’s interaction with the viewers by means of projection of facial expressions onto the blank mannequins, making them ‘come to life’.”