The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: from the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

Opening on March 24, 2012, the de Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park presents, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, the first exhibition devoted to the celebrated French designer and his personal themes of "equality, diversity and perversity."

Dubbed fashion’s "enfant terrible" from the time of his first runway shows in the 1970s, Jean Paul Gaultier is one of the most important fashion designers of recent decades. Very early on, his avant-garde fashions reflected an understanding of a multicultural society’s issues and preoccupations, shaking up—with invariable good humor—established societal and aesthetic codes. More of a contemporary installation than a fashion retrospective, this major exhibition features approximately 140 ensembles spanning over 35 years from the designer’s couture and ready-to-wear collections.

The multimedia installation is organized along six different thematic sections tracing the influences, from the streets of Paris to the world of science fiction, that have marked the couturier’s creative development:

- The Odyssey of Jean Paul Gaultier – begins the exhibition with an exploration of several signature Gaultier motifs – the blue and white striped sailor shirt in all its themes and variations, spectacular mermaids and virgins, and welcomes the visitor with singing mannequins and a special cameo by the designer himself. 
- The Boudoir – explores Gaultier’s fascination with lingerie and underpinnings culminating in his signature collaboration with Madonna for her Blonde Ambition tour.
- Skin Deep – a risqué, provocative gallery featuring garments inspired by themes of bondage and body art.
- Punk Cancan – features the dichotomy between the typical upscale French couture client and the street punks of London.
- Urban Jungle – a multicultural clash of influences including Hussars, Mongolians, Hassidic Jews, Frida Kahlo and China. 
- Metropolis - concludes the exhibition with a presentation of Gaultier’s work for film, performance pieces and his relationships with pop icons such as Kylie Minogue and Tina Turner.

Fashion photography is also a major focus of attention, thanks to loans of never-before-seen prints from contemporary photographers and renowned contemporary artists including Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Erwin Wurm, David LaChapelle, Richard Avedon, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Steven Klein, Mert Alas & Marcus.

Date: until August 19.
Location: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco de Young Museum. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. San Francisco, CA 94118. USA.
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 5.15pm. Fridays from 9.30am to 8.45pm.

See some of the creations of Gaultier in the following slideshow: