Book Description
This volume is the first comprehensive survey dedicated to the evolution of Jean Paul Gaultier’s womenswear collections, tracing more than four decades of groundbreaking creativity from the designer’s debut in the late 1970s to his final runway presentation in 2020. Through an extensive selection of original catwalk photography, the book offers an in-depth look at how the legendary French designer redefined contemporary fashion with his provocative and innovative vision.
As the tenth installment in the officially authorized Catwalk series, this publication continues the collection’s renowned editorial and production standards. Bringing together Jean Paul Gaultier’s most important womenswear collections, it combines runway imagery, archival information, and expert commentary to examine how the designer—often described as the “enfant terrible” of French fashion—challenged conventions and forged a distinctive creative identity that continues to influence the industry today.
Since the 1980s, Jean Paul Gaultier has consistently pushed the boundaries of fashion, blending street culture, haute couture, popular music, and subcultural influences into a bold and unmistakable design language. He challenged traditional notions of gender, beauty, and identity, while pioneering greater diversity on the runway by featuring models of different ages, ethnicities, and body types. From Madonna’s iconic cone bra to Björk’s unforgettable stage costumes, countless creations have become defining symbols of his remarkable career.
Organized chronologically, the book presents each womenswear collection alongside introductory texts exploring its inspirations, concepts, and key highlights. Carefully curated runway photographs showcase garment details, accessories, beauty looks, and show designs, while capturing some of the most celebrated models in fashion history, including Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, and Bella Hadid. Together, these images provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of Jean Paul Gaultier’s creative vision and cultural impact.
More than a visual archive of a celebrated fashion house, Jean Paul Gaultier Catwalk is an essential record of how contemporary fashion has challenged conventions and redefined cultural values over the past four decades. An indispensable reference for fashion designers, researchers, collectors, and anyone interested in the history of modern fashion, the book stands as a definitive tribute to one of the industry's most influential creative voices.
Details
Contributor: Laird Borrelli-Persson
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Format: Hardcover
Dimensions: 27 × 19 cm
Pages: 632