Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

"Leopard Skin"

Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art was far from the ordinary- it was out of this world.  Thick black stripes crawled alongside the outer walls of the exhibit, making me feel as if I could hear Jean Paul Gaultier inviting me to take a peek inside of his creative mind.  As I entered his sanctuary, I felt my heart race- where should I look first?! Floor length gowns, sailor get-ups, and sexy corsets surrounded me.  I truly was in fashion heaven.  The mannequins (more like providential wearers), came to life with animation- I wish I was the lucky owner of these incredible designs!  The mannequins even began to speak in different languages about the garments they were wearing!  My steps shortened as I weaved in and out of each themed room, not wanting my trip into the mind of a genius to end.  A mermaid-style latex bodysuit covered with scales shimmered from across the room, giving the illusion of an ocean.  A shell cone bra completed this mermaid look, bringing me back to the nineties.  Madonna’s top hit “Like a Virgin” played over and over in my mind.  Just when I thought this song would be stuck in my head forever, I entered one of the six sections in the exhibit titled “Urban Jungle.” Madonna’s lyrics immediately stopped playing in my mind- I was breathless.  A beaded gown titled “Leopard Skin” literally made my heart skip a beat.  It was incredible! Brown, gold, crimson, and white beads create an illusion of the real skin of a leopard.  This gown took over an astonishing 1,000 hours to make. But let me tell you, the hard and laborious work certainly paid off.  My eyes glanced over the entire room, each piece catching my eye.  I  sauntered around the jungle, my stride lengthening with the desire to see every individual piece.  The sight of the exit sign brought me back to reality, my time with Jean Paul Gaultier had sadly ended…well, at least for now.    

Jean Paul Gaultier in this month’s Harper’s Bazaar exclaimed:

 “It’s very good  for my work to be a chameleon.”