FRENCH STRIPES AT THE JEAN PAUL GAULTIER EXIBIT - SEOUL
I visited the final stop of the rebellious French designer's career retrospective in Seoul, South Korea...
After a five year international tour that drew a million fans, "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk" made its finale at 3Seoul's Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). The works included his bold, and often humorous designs like the infamous "Vogue" corset worn by #Madonna during her Blonde Ambition Tour. #JeanPaulGaultier is known as the enfante terrible of the fashion world because he always challenges concepts like identity, culture and gender. I have always loved his incorporation of stripes and as tribute, I wore a marinière look of blue and white and complimenting buttons in my bun as homage to the spirit of Paris and to #Gaultier.
“Blue and white stripes are refutably Parisian and reference the Breton jersey, worn by French sailors in the mid-19th century which was made fashionable by Coco Chanel at the end of WW1. Through out the history of fashion the bars have represented a message by the wearer of their place in society as an economic and cultural marker."
The exhibit was divided into five sections that represented individually distinct themes and a gift boutique...
The Odyssey of Jean Paul Gaultier – begins the exhibition with an exploration of several signature Gaultier motifs – the blue and white striped sailor shirt in all its themes and variations, spectacular mermaids and virgins, and welcomes the visitor with singing mannequins and a special cameo by the designer himself.
The Boudoir – explores Gaultier’s fascination with lingerie and underpinnings culminating in his signature collaboration with Madonna for her Blonde Ambition tour.
Skin Deep – a risqué, provocative gallery featuring garments inspired by themes of bondage and body art.
Punk Cancan – features the dichotomy between the typical upscale French couture client and the street punks of London.
Urban Jungle – a multicultural clash of influences including Hussars, Mongolians, Hassidic Jews, Frida Kahlo and China. This gallery includes highlights of Gaultier’s haute couture detailing with unusual materials and techniques on view.
Metropolis – concludes the exhibition with a presentation of Gaultier’s work for film, performance pieces and his relationships with pop icons such as Kylie Minogue and Tina Turner.
"This space inspired me to want to curate and visual merchandise museum shops for fashion exhibits. I am putting it out there to see how it comes back to me."