After six years since its last ready-to-wear collection, Jean Paul Gaultier has finally returned to the fashionably-dressed masses. Just five days ago, the world imagined the French fashion house was all but finished after its social media page uttered two devastating words: The End. Instead, JPG erupted to life on social media overnight announcing its newest collection.
At the helm is graphic designer Florence Tétier, the creative director of Novembre magazine. With a penchant for stretching the boundaries through art and fashion, the newest appointment is unexpected and refreshing. Jean Paul Gaultier himself was known for his avant-garde style cues and subversive notions of dressing – think skirts on men – with his legacy set to continue through the lens of archival inspiration.
Per a press release, the “summer drop” will make its debut through a sailor-themed collection paying homage to the signature striped pieces from the beloved 90s archive. “It’s very simple: People want to wear Gaultier,” Tétier said of the comeback
In addition, Tétier has tapped six designers representing five brands to interpret the signature design cues including Ottolinger’s Christa Bösch and Cosima Gadient, Alejandro Gómez Palomo of Palomo Spain, Nix Lecourt Mansion, Marvin M’Toumo, and jeweler Alan Cocetti.
“The idea was to show how we can be true to Jean Paul’s style, but also how we can translate it with people who are very different from him,” she says.
On Instagram the brand revealed a teaser to the kitschy collection which stars Bella Hadid, Qaher Har, and Omar Sesay. The collection will be released on May 28 at 11am CET or 7pm AEST.
The Jean Paul Gaultier announced his retirement from the house in January 2020. He took his final bow at the Spring/Summer 2021 haute couture show. “But, but, but I assure you: Gaultier Paris will continue, haute couture will continue. I have a new concept; I’ll tell you about it later, I’ll tell you all the little secrets. But it is going to continue,” was the designer’s final words to the world.
And continue it has.
