It's totally amazing. Sensational even. A must see. The exhibition was created in 2011 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. More than 1.3 million people have seen it so far as it has travelled the world. They have added a selection of Australian Muses to the final room for this Australian event. Melbourne is the only Australian venue for this show. Yes, it's worth a special visit to Melbourne to see it. It's that good.
Rather incredibly JPG tells us at the start of the exhibition that he was initially not keen about the exhibition because he thinks that an exhibition can look like a funeral. Let me tell you, Jean Paul Gaultier From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk is not funereal in any way. It is not a static retrospective, it is more the best installation art you've ever seen.
We had just seen a stage version of Grease a few nights earlier. And here Grease is still inspiring fashion, decades later! |
To walk in to every room was jaw dropping. Literally. |
JPG talking to us via Canadian technology. You can see why Billy Idol thinks JPG designs for him. |
The animatronic models were incredible. Quite mesmerising. |
Philosophy. |
Every room is a different themed experience. The Boudoir.
Angel's Leap/Saut de l'Ange Black Swan collection autumn-winter 2004-5 |
Croissants always end up on your hips right? |
My favourite room I think. Punk Cancan. The English were the first to appreciate JPG's work.
For those of us who will never go to a runway show |
This is as close as we'll ever get. |
At first glance things can look so conservative. |
But they're not really. |
I particularly loved these three Paris themed dresses.
Skin Deep. An extraordinary room exploring the notion that clothes don't have a gender (he excludes bras and medieval codpieces), and the notions of outer wear nudity. No, it's not for everyone.
Amsterdam recreated. |
Urban Jungle. An astonishing room. I didn't get enough time in here. JPG takes inspiration from many peoples, codes and traditions.
And then reinvents it for Eurovision. Parrot feather bolero and crepe jumpsuit worn by Dana International for the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest |
There's so much here. |
Even shopping trolleys get the Gaultier treatment. |
Of course not everything is what it seems. |
A mere 1600 hours and about a bajillion beads and you can create anything. |
The detail everywhere is astonishing. This on a pair of pants. |
Muses. The final room explorers Jean Paul's muses- international and Australian. Kylie. Cate. Nicole.
A frock worn by Cate Blanchett in the Muses room. I love the vaguely creepy chair. |
I'm not sure how I resisted these. |
The cars moving in for the Friday night celebration. Sadly, I couldn't stay... |
These photos convey but the merest glimpse of the JPG experience. If you really can't make it to Melbourne before February, then check it out online. Or better still head to Paris between April 1 2015 and August 3 2015 to see it at the Grand Palais. Oh, if only I could. The exhibition will then go to Munich in September 2015.
Open daily, 10am–5pm
Until Feb 8 2015
NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Until Feb 8 2015
NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Friday Nights at Jean Paul Gaultier
5.30–9.30pm from 24 Oct 2014 – 6 Feb 2015
(excluding 26 Dec 2014 & 2 Jan 2015)
5.30–9.30pm from 24 Oct 2014 – 6 Feb 2015
(excluding 26 Dec 2014 & 2 Jan 2015)
JPG isn't my Paris really, but I'm still dreaming.
Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme from Paulita at An Accidental Blog |
3 comments:
thank you for stopping by. how sis you resist the striped bags
Wasn't it incredible - the faces on the models were so mesmerising as to (almost) detract from the clothes. And I loved those Eiffel Tower heels too (perhaps not so good for Parisian cobblestones!). It was definitely one of the best fashion shows I've seen in a gallery.
That's brilliant, thank you so much for sharing this Louise.
BiTi
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