Jean Paul Gaultier

Luxe Lingerie from La Perla for Valentine's Day

Filed under: Apparel

Luxe Italian lingerie brand La Perla has something for everyone this Valentine's Day, from its latest haute couture collaboration to the traditional luxury classics the brand is famed for. As we first reported earlier this year the famed firm, founded in Bologna in 1954, teamed up with French designer Jean Paul Gaultier on a vintage-inspired capsule collection for the fashion-forward. Prices for the limited edition range from $600 - $1,200. Equally appealing are La Perla's classic creations (above), many of which are made with ultra-luxe leaver's lace. The name "leavers" derives from the antique looms used to create this lace in an extremely complex and costly manufacturing process. La Perla uses the original looms as they're the only machines capable of working with a high number of threads, reproducing the intricate work of handmade lace. The result is distinguished by extremely fine detail. Check out the gallery for an eyeful.

Gallery: La Perla V'Day 2011

Tags: Italy, Jean Paul Gaultier, La Perla, lace, lingerie, Valentines Day

The Fashion Statement: Haute Couture's Lightness of Being

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

The Haute Couture Spring 2011 shows have yet to wrap up in Paris this week and, already, we know the end of the story. Designers are walking the tightrope between pale blush, pinks and nudes on the one side, and bright saturated jewel tones on the other. Similarly, styles are either soft, feminine and ethereal or dramatic and rich.

"There's a sense of lightness that we're seeing, particularly in the materials," says Joanna Manganaro, an editor specializing in womenswear at trend forecasting firm Stylesight. "Chiffon, tulle--everything is done in a light-handed way. It feels featherweight. It's something more modern, more uplifting."

That was clearly the case with Givenchy. Riccardo Tisci, a designer better known for being dark and severe, delivered a collection of gowns in pale yellows, barely-there pinks and light nudes as a tribute to Butoh dander Kazuo Ohno. In the end, he remained true to his reputation for boldness. When the models turned, they revealed the backs of the gowns that were embroidered in neon orange, chartreuse and fuchsia.

Christian Dior (pictured above) had a more traditional view of things. John Galliano paid tribute to René Gruau, an illustrator who created the house's iconic images from the '40s and '50s. Remember Dior's New Look from the '40s? Galliano (who has a new look himself--a shag haircut) reinterpreted the New Look in in electric blue, fuchsia, brown, emerald green and red taffeta and satin. One of the highlights was a flaring white skirt topped with a burnt-orange jacket with shoulders out-to-there.

Gallery: Full Bloom

Tags: armani prive, Chanel, Christian Dior, Elie Saab, Givenchy, Haute Couture Shows, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Kazuo Ohno, Lady, Rene Gruau, RiccardoTisci, Stylesight

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The Fashion Statement: Designer Kids Lines Boom

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Charity, The Fashion Statement

A week ago, I wrote about the hordes of celebrities with baby bumps on the red carpet during awards season. Well, designers must have been some kind of soothsayers, because several spent a good part of last year developing and launching children lines. Soon, they will no doubt see the fruits of their labor (sorry), as more and more of these privileged babies are born.

Jennifer Lopez's twins, Max and Emme, were the stars of Gucci's advertising campaign to publicize its designer munchkin wear (0 to 8 year-olds) which debuted late last year. Lopez said this week she only agreed to let her kids be photographed because it was for a good cause. Gucci pledged $1 million to UNICEF's Schools for Africa initiative.

Tags: Carolina Herrera, dolce and gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, jean paul gaultier, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith, Preen, Ralph Lauren, stella mccartney, Tommy Hilfiger

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La Perla Launches Jean Paul Gaultier Collection Createur in New York City

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Italian luxury lingerie company La Perla launched the new Jean Paul Gaultier Collection Createur for the first time in the United States on Thursday, December 9th at its Madison Avenue flagship boutique in New York City. As my colleague Jared Paul Stern noted earlier this year, the luxury line by the talented French designer has prices ranging from about $600 for bras and panties to $1,200 for more intricate pieces. "In my latest prêt-à-porter collection I revisited the conical bras and corsets worn as outerwear," Gaultier stated back in July. "Lingerie is part of my core beliefs and my heritage."

Gaultier's designs for La Perla combine the femininity and seductiveness of La Perla with Gaultier's bold styling. The line features waist-cinching corsets, slips, extra high briefs and bustiers, in black and pale pink with accents of coral and teal. The line also features pieces reminiscent of Gaultier's designs for Madonna, including her infamous pointed bra cups from the 1990 Blond Ambition tour. This exclusive collection will be available in January 2011 at La Perla boutiques nationwide, select department stores, Jean Paul Gaultier boutiques, and select high-end fashion stores.

Gallery: Jean Paul Gaultier Collection Createur

Tags: bustier, bustiers, jean paul gaultier, la prairie, lingerie model

Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Luxe Socks

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

When it comes to the winter season, there is no doubt that socks are a must among the many other items you'll need to keep you warm. Especially long socks. With the windy days we've been experiencing on the east coast, ankle socks are just not cutting it.

Lately, I've been borrowing my husband's socks, (because apparently our dog likes to only chew on my socks) but that can only last for so long. It's time to spend a little cash and purchase my own warm socks.

I came across Jean Paul Gaultier's Knee High Socks and instantly fell in love with the design. Who knew a mixed matched collection of prints could look so good together? But I can't bring myself to part with $345 for one pair of socks. A handbag yes, a pair of socks, not so much.

But for those that have a little extra cash to spend or want to warm the feet of a loved one, Gaultier's Wool Socks, which were originally seen during his A/W 2010-2011 runway show, might make for an unexpected stocking stuffer.

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Tags: jean paul gaultier, socks, winter, wool

Jean Paul Gaultier's New Collection for Roche Bobois Featured at Kips Bay Decorator Show House

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Celebrity Design

Jean Paul Gaultier designs collection for Roche Bobois

One you enter the townhouse showcasing the 38th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House on the Upper East Side of New York, you can't help but notice the stunning pieces including a striking modular sofa that grace the grand entrance hall. The sofa is unmistakingly Roche Bobois but with a twist. Each of the pieces was designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and part of a collection he exclusively created to commemorate Roche Bobois' 50th anniversary of international design and development. Roche Bobois is the winner of the Luxist Awards' Readers' Choice Award for Best in Furniture.

The Jean Paul Gaultier collection for Roche Bobois includes a bedroom set, sofas, complimentary furniture pieces and accessories. Born in 1952 outside of Paris, Gaultier is an internationally renowned designer and couturier who likes to shake up conventions, redefine classics (as he did most recently for Hermes), and play with opposites.

A centerpiece of the collection is the Mah Jong Couture modular sofa (a portion of which is seen in the image above). The modular composition features hand-made padded cushions, straight and corner backrests. An optional adjustable feature on backrests is available. It is priced at $31,610 for nine elements. Gaultier's hand-trolley mirror, also seen above, features red lacquer and steel tubing. It retails for $2,690. (L. 45 X H. 160 cm.)

Gallery: Jean Paul Gaultier for Roche Bobois

Jean Paul Gaultier's Mah Jong Couture modular sofa

Tags: awards-main, furniture, furniture design, furniture store, interior decor, interior decorating, interior design, interior designer, jean paul gaultier, kips bay, Kips Bay 2010 Decorator Showhouse, kips bay showhouse, luxist-awards, roche bobois

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Jean Paul Gaultier Slingbacks

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

Upgrade your worn-out sandals and check out Jean Paul Gaultier's playful pair. Retail shops and magazines may be visually enticing it's customers to purchase a new wardrobe for back to school (which I have already fallen victim to for my daughter) and the Fall season. But, the weather across the US has us thinking that Summer is going to last longer than usual and Fall has a long way to go before it actually arrives. All the more reason to improve your sandal collection and buy a new pair that will last till the weather changes.

Gaultier's camel colored sandals ($437) have a punchy hint of yellow along the vamp and wrapping around your ankle which perfectly sets off an otherwise subdued and unassuming shoe. What a simple detail that has impact! Another feature that I love but no one will ever really see is the pink and beige striped sole. I love when designers pay attention to detail and really think about every part of a product to make it complete. And even though you have a colorful strip of yellow, these stylish sandals will match virtually any outfit your wear.

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Tags: jean paul gaultier, sandals, shoes, slingbacks

The Fashion Statement: Paris Couture Pares Back

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

The haute couture shows in Paris are in full swing, but rather than enjoy the spectacle, fashion watchers have the nagging suspicion they are witnessing the end of an era.

Sure, clothing that can cost as much as a house, have little relevance in today's world-only a handful of women in the world can afford the custom-made pieces. And fashion houses like Jean Paul Gaultier, pictured above, create the looks mostly for press and to promote brand awareness and maintain an image. (Dita Von Teese guest strutted in black wire and stockings.) But the Great Recession has sped up the decline of an institution of fashion, the highest level a designer can achieve, the crème de la crème of the biz. It's sad!

Signs of decline are all there. Shows have been reduced to six spanning three days. Sets have been pared back. Givenchy eschewed a show altogether to stage "presentations," or museum like display on dress forms-a sure sign of financial conservatism.

"Why not just hang a sign on the door that says, 'Shut?'" wrote Cathy Horyn yesterday in The New York Times.

Tags: Chanel, Christian Dior, Dita Von Teese, Elie Saab Couture, Givenchy, haute couture, jean paul gaultier, Paris Fashion Week, Paris haute couture, runway, runway fashion, runway models, runway shows, RunwayFashion, RunwayShow, Valentino

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Jean Paul Gaultier Designs Luxe Lingerie for La Perla

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Quirky French fashion maven Jean Paul Gaultier has collaborated with luxe Italian lingerie brand La Perla on a sexy new collection of retro-inspired underthings. Available as of November with prices ranging from about $600 for bras and panties to $1,200 for more intricate pieces, the costly collection will include corsets, bustiers and other items designed to enhance the body's curves. Black and powder pink dominate the color palette along with a few coral and baby blue pieces. "In my latest prêt-à-porter collection I revisited the conical bras and corsets worn as outerwear," Gaultier notes. "Lingerie is part of my core beliefs and my heritage. It has been nearly 30 years since I created my first corset dress. This collaboration was a natural and logical step, especially since La Perla is the pearl of lingerie, with the best savoir-faire." Two limited edition pieces will be presented on July 7th during Gaultier's couture runway show in Paris.

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Tags: corsets, fashion, fashion designer, Jean Paul Gaultier, La Perla, lingerie, Paris

The Berkeley's Roof-Top Midnight Movies, Martinis and Manicures

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

One of the chicest boutique hotels in London has just added a little more glamor by transforming the spectacular roof-top terrace of its spa into a midnight movie theater, complete with home-made popcorn, mini ice cream cones, martinis from its famous Blue Bar and even manicures.

The Berkeley, which is located in fashionable Knightsbridge, is offering the latest fashion documentaries on a big screen under the stars. On Friday nights until the end of August, hotel guests and Londoners alike are invited to The Berkeley to enjoy mini ice cream cones and home-made popcorn as they sit underneath beautifully lit palm trees watching documentaries that offer a behind-the-scenes look at some of the world's leading fashion houses. Featured documentaries will include: Le Jour D'Avant, featuring Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel, Proenza Schouler and Jean Paul Gaultier, Signe Chanel, Valentino: The Last Emperor, The September Issue, Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton, and Lagerfeld Confidential.

As guests enjoy the featured presentation, therapists from The Berkeley Health Club & Spa will give manicures that feature a choice of Chanel's latest Les Pop-Up nail varnish. If you feel a chill in the air, mulberry blankets are on hand.

The Berkeley's Midnight Movies, Martinis & Manicures packages start at £485 ($725) plus VAT based on double occupancy and include an overnight stay with access to the roof-top cinema. A special Midnight Movies, Martinis & Manicures package is also available for Londoners for £85 ($127) per person which includes full access to the movie theater between 10 pm and midnight, two signature Blue Bar cocktails per person, snacks and a mini-manicure with Chanel's latest summer colors.

The package is subject to availability and is available on Fridays in June, July and August, weather permitting. Reservations can be made online or by calling the following toll-free numbers: (866) 599 6991 in the United States and 0808 238 0245 in the United Kingdom.

Tags: awards-main, Chanel, hotel, hotel deals, jean paul gaultier, karl lagerfeld, Knightsbridge, London, Louis Vuitton, luxist-awards, Marc Jacobs, The Berkeley, Valentino

The Fashion Statement: Who is Christophe Lemaire?

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, The Fashion Statement

If you don't know who Christophe Lemaire is, you're not alone. Last week, French couturier Hermès made the announcement that by fall of next year, creative director Jean-Paul Gaultier will be out and Christophe Lemaire will be in. See my colleague Deidre Woollard's post.

So who is Christophe Lemaire? Even people in fashion industry, who tend to be aware of any and all up-and-comers, were scratching their heads. Sure, Lemaire has been at Lacoste for the last decade and breathed new life into the brand. And, yes, he's had his own line since 1991. But haute couture houses at the level of Hermès is usually the stomping ground of well-established and well-known designers. Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, to name a few. Surely, Michelle Obama's inauguration gown designer Jason Wu has gotten more ink of late.

Which is why we're all the more intrigued by this choice. "I think the appointment of Christophe is very ambitious," Hermès' general artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas told The New York Times. "Maybe in five years I will look back and think it was a terrible mistake-or a wonderful surprise. I like that. I think we need that. Hermès is really born out of movement. It's not that we were avoiding a famous name. What comes first now is talent."

Tags: Christophe Lemaire, Hermes, jean paul gaultier, Kelly bag, Pierre-Alexis Dumas

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Gaultier Officially Out At Hermes

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Another fashion world shake-up. WWD has reported that French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier will be leaving his job as the creative director of Hermes' women's ready-to-wear division. Gaultier, who had the job for seven years, was brought in by Jean-Louis Dumas, former president and chief executive officer of Hermes who died earlier this month.

Replacing Gaultier will be Christophe Lemaire, the man lauded for reinvigorating the Lacoste brand. He has served as that company's artistic director since 2001,Businessweek reveals that the spring-summer 2011 collection in October will be the last one created by Gaultier for Hermes. Hermes will retain its 45 percent share in Gaultier's eponymous brand.

Tags: christophe lemaire, hermes, jean paul gaultier, lacoste

Jean Paul Gaultier Collection Debuts At Target

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Today marks the debut of the Jean Paul Gaultier Designer Collaborations line at Target. The French designer is perhaps most famous in the States for styling Madonna for her "Blonde Ambition" tour but he has also the house designer for Hermès. Gaultier's line for the American department store is designed to pay "homage to the wide range of personalities that make up the diverse styles of American women." The line includes simple pieces like a black strapless dress, belted trench coat and a classic Gaultier striped shirt. Other styles include tattoo leggings and a tattoo-print t-shirt, swimsuits and a cropped leather jacket, the most expensive piece at $199.99.

Will Gaultier succeed at Target? There is a possibility that some of the pieces may be to edgy to connect with the core Target shoppers. It also tends to depend on the store. Targets in more fashion-friendly places will probably sell out fast but in certain Targets I saw the recent Rodarte collection lingering in the clearance racks, so a designer name is by no means a slam dunk for fast fashion success at Target.

Gallery: Jean Paul Gaultier For Target

Tags: jean paul gaultier, jean paul gaultier target, Target

The Fashion Statement: It's a Cinch!

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Women's Wear Daily, the so-called bible of the fashion industry and my former employer, wrote an interesting article this week about how corset sales are up in the U.K. thanks to the influence of Rihanna (above) and Lady Gaga.

The piece said women in London are snapping up corsets in the intimates departments and wearing them to the discos. It's such the rage, Selfridges Oxford Street posted a 70 percent increase in sales in November compared with the same month last year. The article goes on to say that the trend of underwear worn as outerwear is more popular that ever.

Rihanna and Lady Gaga are not the first divas to go corset crazy, of course. The corset, which has existed in womenswear for hundreds of years, now represents sex, fetish, bondage, body modifications -- all the good racy stuff that shocks us and slightly turns us off and really turns us on. It worked for Madonna. Why not Rihanna and Lady Gaga? And why not a million other girls?

In my 15 years covering the fashion, I've always suspected the edgiest fashion (streetwear, rock and roll, punk) appears to change more slowly than conservative fashion (contemporary, designer). Because it doesn't have to. Spikes always provoke us. Punk hair that resembles a frill-necked dragon always pushes our buttons. Exposed body parts always unnerve us just a little (OK, maybe not all of us). Corsets always work. Every time.

There are a few other masters of the shock game and all of them make ample use of the corset. Jean Paul Gaultier, of course, through Madonna in the '80s as I mentioned.

Tags: Alexander McQueen, AlexanderMcqueen, Corsets, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Vivienne Westwood, VivienneWestwood

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Will Gaultier Leave Hermes?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Could fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier be out at Hermès? Fashion Week Daily reports that the designer may be resigning from the company after the Paris show in October. Gaultier produces his own collections of ready-to-wear and haute couture and has been the creative director at Hermès for six years. Gaultier has continued to bring excitement and status to the luxury brand whether he's bringing us a luxury version of the cowboy look, aviator chic or traditional Hollywood glamour. If he's out at Hermès those are some big shoes to fill.

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Tags: fashion, hermes, jean paul gaultier, JeanPaulGaultier