Jean Paul Gaultier is back from a six-year ready-to-wear hiatus. Fashion’s fabulous enfant terrible, JPG himself, has handed the reins over to a new creative director, Florence Tétier, who has just released a dazzling campaign to mark her tenure.
The underwater-themed film shot by Pat Aldinger and directed by Charlotte Wales features Bella Hadid, Qaher Harhash and Omar Sesay. Bella becomes a mesmerising mermaid, swimming against the backdrop of a mystical reef while wearing clothing from the new release. Harhash and Sesay, meanwhile, are clad in sailor hats and stripes. In one shot, they are captured flanking Bella, who dons a sparkling red ship headdress.
Together with Tétier, new JPG collaborators Nicolas Lecourt Mansion, Ottolinger, Palomo Spain, Marvin M’Toumo and Alan Crocetti were invited to interpret the fresh Les Marins RTW line, paying homage to the original house codes and avant-garde spirit. JPG’s signature kitsch sailor hats, Breton stripes and cone bras – famously worn by Madonna – feature in the collection, the majority of which has already sold out on the JPG ecomm site.
As part of the new release on Lesmarins.jeanpaulgaultier.com, esteemed jeweller Alan Crocetti provided various silver and gold gems, including designs inspired by JPG’s knotted bandanas and cone bras. Jazzy second-skin pieces come from Ottolinger and poppered “ass air denim” jeans are supplied by Palomo Spain, while Marvin M’Toumo shell skirts and Swarovski-encrusted mesh bodies by Nicolas Lecourt Mansion are also highlights.
The hero piece in the collection, a futuristic “morphing dress”, first made its debut on Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring/summer 1996 Cyberbaba runway. The original vintage dress was worn Kim Kardashian West at the People’s Choice Awards in 2019, prompting a number of high-street copies. Jean Paul Gaultier nodded to the dress for spring/summer 2019 couture, sending an almost identical design down the runway. Lizzo recently wore a custom look, inspired by the Les Marins design, for her birthday celebrations. Now is your chance to snap up your own piece of JPG history.
Editor
Alice CaryCredit
Lead image: courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier