Jean Paul Gaultier: Shipwrecked

Couture week has come and gone once again, and the show that had everyone’s jaw on the floor and phones in the air was Jean Paul Gaultier. Gaultier is known for allowing designers to guest design for his brand each couture season. Previously, we have seen Simone Rocha, Glenn Martens, and most recently Ludovic de Saint Sernin. The collection was entitled La Naufrage, which translates to Shipwreck, meaning the looks had a sense of under the sea aesthetics to them, with a sprinkle of references too, of course. 

The show opened with a seafoam, off-the-shoulder corset with a sheer skirt paired with it, giving a bit of a mermaid recently washed up on the shore vibe. As the show continued, it became clear that the references were mythical and nautical. Every look had a sultry, slow walk to accompany it, and a feeling of awe overtook you as you continued to view each piece. Ludovic is known for this sultry, mysterious, and slightly whimsical feel in his collections, so it wasn’t shocking when we saw it on the JPG runway, but somehow this collaboration felt more equal than ones in the past. It almost felt as if they were one.

My favorite look is look 11, inspired by Cindy Crawford in Hawaii by Herb Ritts in 1988. A picture of the statuesque model covered in sand inspired the dainty but dark beaded gown, a wonderful piece with a beautiful backstory to accompany it. I am certain this isn’t the only look with a referential backstory, for example, look 18 is a direct reference to JPG Autumn Winter 2000. The research and thought that went into this collection is what makes it wholeheartedly couture. It is full of pieces that make you think, feel, and remember, which is what fashion should always feel like for us; especially couture.

The collection has left us awestruck and maybe even hoping that we too, will be shipwrecked and end up on the island of LDSS and JPG.