Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibition: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk!

I finally made it! I had been looking forward to this exhibition since it was first announced but have had trouble working it into my busy summer schedule.

Talking & singing mannequins

The Architecture Museum (Arkitekturmuseet) has recently changed its name to Architecture & Design Center (Arkitektur och Designcentrum). A good idea, in my opinion, as Swedish design is a popular concept internationally and it also allows the museum to host a number of great exhibitions... like the current Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk!

Madonna in Gaultier

For those who do not know who Jean Paul Gaultier is... he is a famous French fashion designer, known best for working closely with Madonna on several of her tours and videos (who can forget the famous cone bra?), putting skirts & kilts on men and designing the wardrobe for several movies, including The Fifth Element and The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover.

Wheat corset dress

Often referred to as "l'enfant terrible" of the French fashion world, he was one of the first fashion designers who made fashion popular and accessible to the everyday person (on a broad scale) and not just for hardcore fashionistas. Always a bit controversial and rock & roll... many of his runway shows have caused the Establishment to gasp or shake their heads.

Punk!

If you are visiting Stockholm in the upcoming months (last day is September 22, 2013) then you have the opportunity to see his fabulous fashions up close. I was very impressed with the exhibition as it is much larger and comprehensive than I had anticipated. It contains 120 outfits, sketches by the designer, fashion editorials featuring his creations and movie clips. The fashion covers almost his entire career with both haute couture and pret-a-porter represented as well as his work with Madonna and in Hollywood.

For the shy lady...

Some of the mannequins sing and talk through a clever use of video images superimposed on the mannequins' faces. You are able to get quite close to the fashion ensembles, so keep an eye on the detail work. I was especially amazed the leopard corset that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be solely intricate beadwork and not fur.

Beaded detail.

The museum is located on the island of Skeppsholmen, adjacent to the modern art museum (Moderna Museet). The easiest way to get to the museum from the Rival Hotel is by ferry... click here for more information. Entrance costs 120 SEK for adults, 100 for senior citizens and free for children under 19 as well as holders of the Stockholm Card. One good thing to know: you can purchase a combination ticket that allows you entrance to Moderna as well, where they have a great Pop Art & Design exhibition right now (cost 200 SEK).

Indian wedding dress.