From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

Jean Paul Gaultier Descends Upon Brooklyn

As an MBA student, I get the opportunity to attend a lot of awesome events organized by my classmates. This Saturday, the Luxury and Retail Club organized a private showing of the Exhibit: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk (http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/jean_paul_gaultier/). The Exhibit is until February 23, 2014 and this is the only East Coast Venue.

I signed up for this over a month ago and did not realize I would have to get up early on a Saturday to attend this event following a week of intensive classes (as in all day from 10am to 7pm). Then I realized that I was being lame and need to stop whining and get my ass to the museum!

The Brooklyn Museum is located in Prospect Heights. It is about a 30 minute train ride from campus or my apartment. With this new information, I will need to head back again! It isn't that far - you'd be shocked to believe many Manhattanites feel that Brooklyn is a far away land.

Brooklyn Museum

This is the outside of the museum in case you were wondering what it looks like!

Even though we had a private viewing, it did take our tour guide a little bit to get to the actual exhibit. She took us to several other pieces of art in the museum that were influences for Gaultier. I respect that and appreciate the knowledge though I was mostly focused on just getting into the Exhibit before the masses descended!

At the beginning of the exhibit, a pre-recorded video of Gaultier is projected on a mannequin. The overall effect is creepy and captivating. This technique is used throughout the exhibit. You feel like the eyes are following you! AH!

Jean Paul Gaultier is here to welcome you!

Growing up, JPG wanted a doll but his parents didn't fulfill his wishes. As the creative and inspired genius that he is, JPG put some stylish underwear on his bear. As a side note, JPG does not ascribe to the many gender rules we have. He believes that clothing is gender neutral unless it serves an explicit purpose (a cod piece or a bra being the only two).

Un-BEAR-ably cute

I really enjoy Cindy Sherman's work and there was a piece of her wearing Gaultier lingerie. Naturally, I had to snap a pic.

Cindy Sherman

I took WAY TOO many photos. Below, I picked some of my favorites to share with you. I encourage you to visit and see for yourself as the photos do not capture the exquisite detail and artistry of the pieces.

This is ONE PIECE of lace!

One of the main exhibit rooms. The walls ARE NOT spray painted. It is oil painted on and will be painted over when the Exhibit wraps up - intense!

Check out that cod piece!

I wonder what surprise is on the other side...

CAN CAN you see it?

Is that a heel? No! It is the Eiffel Tower. Beautiful detail

Look at the meat dress!

My favorite piece!

The final room has a backdrop of Manhattan

I love the feather detail. So delicate!

Animal lovers don't worry! That isn't an animal skin, it is made out of GLASS BEADS! It took over 1,000 hours to make.

This is an incredible show. It made me appreciate the detail that goes into high fashion, Haute Couture clothing. This isn't Zara or H&M. This is the real deal. SEE IT!

Cheers,

Liz