In January 2020, all eyes were on Jean Paul Gaultier’s Haute Couture S/S 2020 show in Paris because it was his 50th anniversary show and, as he announced on Twitter, his last. Today, I received the press release that the French Maison will continue with a new concept. Each season, Jean Paul Gaultier will invite a designer to interpret the codes of the House and give the vision of Haute Couture.
Chitose Abe from SACAI will be the first designer to participate in the project and she will present the next Haute Couture collection in July 2020.
Jean Paul Gaultier about this new concept:
« The idea of different designers interpreting one Haute Couture brand came to me in the nineties for a Parisian Haute Couture House who found itself without a designer. I am pleased that this concept will become reality now with Chitose Abe of Sacai as the first guest designer. I admire her work, we have many things in common creatively and share a similar vision of fashion. I am glad to give her the complete freedom. »
Chitose Abe thought on this project:
« I have a long held admiration for Jean Paul’s unique vision of subversive femininity and his originality, both of which I’ve strived towards in my work since the beginning. It’s a true honor to be given the opportunity to be custodian of his house as the first designer of this project. »
With Jean Paul Gaultier at his Haute Couture S/S 2016 after party in Paris.
An interesting concept – I am curious to see the next show. If you have ever had the chance to experience a Jean Paul Gaultier show live, you will know what I am talking about. There are not many runway presentations that leave you that energized and happy – there is always a joyful mood, great music and amazing designs.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Jean Paul Gaultier and © Sandra Bauknecht
