The DeYoung - Jean Paul Gaultier

I've been meaning to get these off my camera for two weeks now.  I went to the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at The DeYoung in San Francisco two weeks ago.  It's up until the end of August so I highly suggest going, even if you're not into fashion.  Seeing the craftsmanship of these couture gowns is really impressive.

Right away the curve of the room and the deep blue light were disorienting.  Then you realized that the mannequins were talking to you.

No cameras were allowed but I stole these few seconds.

The exhibit started out with his mariner phase.  The black and white strip motif interpreted many ways.  The bottom half of the dress on the left is made of feathers and the one on the right is intricate layers of lace.

This was an outfit worn by Kylie Minogue.  But instead of Australian pop, these mannequins we signing operatic tunes.  The resonant holy music, talking mannequins and deep blue lights were a very impressive start.

The next room moves into the lingerie and cone bras that Madonna made famous:

I'm a big fan of polaroids.  Pointy cone bra alert top right!

Besides gowns there were some impressive photography of the clothes.  This ethereal piece was one of my favorites.

The next room had a seedier strip club vibe. Unfortunately my camera sucks for low light and it was very dark in there, but a few pictures give a pretty good idea of what it was like in there.

But I don't know any strippers that would wear these skeleton and blood vessel body suits.  Well, I don't know any strippers at all, but if I did, they probably wouldn't wear these body suits.

Or this one which mimics the body's musculature.  It looks really flat in the picture but the texture and dimension of the muscles and veins was impressive.

Here is some more footage I stole, my favorite of the three pieces was the skeleton body suit.

Another piece that really stood out to me was this native american bride.  I kinda have a thing for headdresses.

This dress really symbolizes couture to me.  While all the pieces are hand made and one of a kind, this one had a plaque that read:
 "Leopard Skin" beaded evening gown with rhinestone "claws".  Time needed to create: 1,006 hours. 

Damn my crappy camera!

I also have a thing for lady's with pirate ship hats.

This is from his Russian inspired collection.

Then there was the punk phase.

Part of the punk inspired pieces was this trash piece.  Zoolander anyone?

Rhinestone skulls.  I also have a thing for skulls.

Head to toe print.  The volume and diversity of his designs is what impressed me most.  JPG just keeps creating.

Even though JPG is french, the exhibit wrapped up with a very patriotic piece.  The feathers are a giant red, white and blue american flag.

In pictures some of the pieces can look cheesy, but up close you can see the craftsmanship and talent that went into their creation and execution.

-L