Gaultier’s latest design, Animated Mannequins

Gaultier speaks to us.  The exhibit, The Fashion World From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, mesmerizes with animated mannequins who talk to us, sing in chorus, and even wink at you! But wait, we are here for Jean Paul Gaultier’s COUTURE?!@! Once we found the virtual Gaultier doll speaking to us, we were reminded to go back and survey the frocks, not just the faces!

Animated dolls. Gaultier was inspired by the Montreal-based theater company, Ubu Compagnie de Création, after witnessing their show where the actors were mannequins with video projected faces. For this exhibit, they collaborated in the design of 30 animated dolls to enliven the quirky couture fashions.

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk at the de Young Museum from Mia Nakano & Visibility Project on Vimeo.

Frocks. This exhibit spans 35 years of Gaultier’s iconic fashions and fabrics – ranging from found objects to the divine – highlighted by his signature twist of gender and materials. Among the 140 designs are a corset with woven straw, a nude body suit with red beaded veins, and a hounds-tooth berka pant suit complete with cigarette holder.

Thank you, Gaultier, for animating the designs with life and enhanced video winks.