Jean Paul Gaultier on the Catwalk: A Canadian First
The first time Montreal, let alone Canada, lay witness to a show featuring the talent of a designer of Gaultier's calibre, thousands gathered on downtown Montreal's McGill College Avenue on August 3, 2011 to preview Jean Paul Gaultier's 2011-2012 fall-winter collections, a show made possible by the Montreal Fashion & Design Festival, a uniquely democratic event for such a commonly elitist milieu.
Â
Rubenesque or boyish figure, spring chicken meets winter swan, impossibly chiseled face versus beautiful everyday anyone, the show featured a mix of professional models -- including Gaultier alumni Francisco Randez and Eve Salvail, both Montreal natives -- and street-cast individuals of different ages, heights and sizes, a testament to Gaultier's career-spanning habit of breaking couture's typically unforgiving body rules. And genders confounded in usual Gaultier fashion, all pun, with men in heels, fishnet stockings, skirts and corsets. And agism was fed to the dogs with mature women donning the runway in addition to young counterparts sporting grey, beehive wigs.
Â
First came the men under the theme of James Blond, an obvious wink to the silver screen spy, with longtime Gaultier muse and model Tanel Bedrossiantz at the opening and closing helm, who, in spite of walking 80 Gaultier shows throughout their 26-year collaboration, admitted feeling intimidated by the sheer number of people attending the Montreal outdoor fashion show, a notable rarity in an industry better known for its restricted, closed-door catwalks than its open-air, everyone's-invited celebrations.
Â
Other highlights included "granny chic" from Gaultier's 2011-2012 fall-winter women's collection, a decidedly mature one characterized by tweed suits, silk and satin prints and pussy bows galore.
Â
Finally, Gaultier -- who wasn't actually present for his own show -- sprinkled in iconic pieces from collections past, including a cone-bra dress reminiscent of Madonna's Blond Ambition era and the tulle dress made famous by the once-upon-a-time plus size model Crystal Renn, who, since her memorable 2006 appearance, lost weight.
The first time Montreal, let alone Canada, lay witness to a show featuring the talent of a designer of Gaultier's calibre, thousands gathered on downtown Montreal's McGill College Avenue on August 3, 2011 to preview Jean Paul Gaultier's 2011-2012 fall-winter collections, a show made possible by the Montreal Fashion & Design Festival, a uniquely democratic event for such a commonly elitist milieu.
Â
Rubenesque or boyish figure, spring chicken meets winter swan, impossibly chiseled face versus beautiful everyday anyone, the show featured a mix of professional models -- including Gaultier alumni Francisco Randez and Eve Salvail, both Montreal natives -- and street-cast individuals of different ages, heights and sizes, a testament to Gaultier's career-spanning habit of breaking couture's typically unforgiving body rules. And genders confounded in usual Gaultier fashion, all pun, with men in heels, fishnet stockings, skirts and corsets. And agism was fed to the dogs with mature women donning the runway in addition to young counterparts sporting grey, beehive wigs.
Â
First came the men under the theme of James Blond, an obvious wink to the silver screen spy, with longtime Gaultier muse and model Tanel Bedrossiantz at the opening and closing helm, who, in spite of walking 80 Gaultier shows throughout their 26-year collaboration, admitted feeling intimidated by the sheer number of people attending the Montreal outdoor fashion show, a notable rarity in an industry better known for its restricted, closed-door catwalks than its open-air, everyone's-invited celebrations.
Â
Other highlights included "granny chic" from Gaultier's 2011-2012 fall-winter women's collection, a decidedly mature one characterized by tweed suits, silk and satin prints and pussy bows galore.
Â
Finally, Gaultier -- who wasn't actually present for his own show -- sprinkled in iconic pieces from collections past, including a cone-bra dress reminiscent of Madonna's Blond Ambition era and the tulle dress made famous by the once-upon-a-time plus size model Crystal Renn, who, since her memorable 2006 appearance, lost weight.