A winter wonderland at Jean Paul Gaultier

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jul 5, 2017

“It’s a winter’s tale!” exclaimed Jean-Paul Gaultier after he took his audience on a tour of many tony ski stations, with the odd digression thrown in to Rajasthan and even Mexico.

Never in the history of après-ski has so much style been seen on the slopes. Opening some stone gray Prince of Wales suits – composed of divinely cut mini-double-breasted jackets, long culottes and matching down waistcoats with huge shoulders; and continuing with classy blazers that morphed into fur at the waist.

For those who love a ski bunny, why not narrow sky pants complimented by a nipped at the waist blouson with balloon sleeves made in a silk that looked like snow crystals? Walking over to a dinner of raclette et fondue à la Savoyarde in a cozy chalet, then try on the cable wool Alpine scene cardigan with fur trim and cuffs. For dancing in a Jet Set disco in Klosters, definitely the Aran sweater mini cocktail. Indeed, the seating was divided into sections with names like Aspen or Meribel.

Staged on a fake snow runway, before giant photos of snow covered Paris landmarks – Place de la Concorde all in white - inside the designer’s 3rd arrondissement headquarters near ever-funky rue St Denis.
 
Jean-Paul remains a master of the fashion special effect; finishing with a pair of wonderful velvet gowns in a photo-shop velour image of snowy Paris with dripping with fabric icicles. And his finale included one remarkable silver shearling coat finished with images of boy gods, prairie flowers and Paris graffiti.
 
Gaultier will always have a special place in French hearts. One was reminded of that at the backstage, where he was mobbed and showered with compliments by Carla Bruni, Amanda Lear, Farida Khelfa and Catherine Deneuve.