HOW JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SHAPED THE WORLD OF WOMEN’S FASHION FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Since 1976, Jean Paul Gaultier has been using humour to break taboos and further the cause of women's liberation. His vision of fashion has always put women and their bodies centre stage. Gaultier turned the world of women’s fashion on its head to further their liberation, and to present them in all their myriad forms, subtleties, rough edges and sensibilities. He flouted the conventions of the world of fashion and society in general — what a contradiction and so like Gaultier! Since his early days, Gaultier has strived to free women from the shackles and conventions of fashion.
He has always enjoyed exploring what femininity means, and challenging the way in which women are represented. Raw, powerful femininity, every which way and without compromise. And his vision found its mark and changed attitudes! Finally, here was a fashion designer who showed the world what real femininity looked like — unique, powerful, normcore, eccentric! Broken noses, perfect bodies, flaws... looks that spoke volumes and attitudes that radiated life experience. Gaultier created an iconoclastic vision of fashion that empowered women, and conveyed compelling and controversial messages. Every women was (and is) invited to take part — diverse, mixed, unconventional, non-stereotyped, curvaceous, skinny... No body shaming. Gaultier's hallmark? Joyful and inclusive fashion for all women!