Jean Paul Gaultier in film

A Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show will make a cameo appearance in the next film by Cédric Klapsich, maker of "The Spanish Apartment" and its sequel, "The Russian Doll." Rather than seeing last season's fashions again, Gaultier restaged his sporty-themed spring-summer show in December exclusively for Klapsich's cameras - and with only waist-down views of the models.

The film, "Paris," is in postproduction and stars Juliette Binoche, Romain Duris and Audrey Marnay.

www.jeanpaulgaultier.com
26 January 2007

Gaultier on tour with Madonna

Jean Paul Gaultier will be on tour with Madonna. Not in the literal sense, rather she will be wearing his intricate and sexy designs on stage, just as she did sixteen years ago during the Blonde Ambition tour.

Madonna's "Confessions" tour, which starts in America next week before heading to Europe, will see the queen of self transformation take to the stage in looks that range from kinky equestrian and haute harem to what might be described as Biblical chic - an off-the-shoulder blouse and velvet cropped pants accessorized with a crown of thorns. Also, in keeping with the disco flavor of her latest album, there will be a flaring white pantsuit à la "Saturday Night Fever" and a sparkly pink jumpsuit.

Gaultier gave WWD a preview of the costumes for a show that is meant to "turn the world into one big dance floor." Hardly a stranger to the stage, and one of the most physical performers in pop, Madonna had strong opinions about how the clothes had to be made to withstand the demands of the choreography. She said no to magnetic or button-style closures, insisting on plastic snaps. Sleeve linings had to be slippery to be easily peeled off sweaty arms. And her hats, some sprouting heavy horsehair, are secured with a complex system of elastics.

Gaultier, according to WWD, is looking forward to checking out several stops of the tour, which comes to Europe in August and September.

16 May 2006

Gaultier's new BF

Jean Paul Gaultier has a new best friend. Her name is Kateryna Yushchnenko, wife of Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko. The pair first met in Kiev in May during the Eurovision song contest. "We hit it off," said Kateryna. "And when he said he would do a collection about Ukraine, I knew I had to be there."

Kateryna made a point of attending Gaultier's show during the Paris Haute Couture week last week. His collections were indeed inspired by Eastern European patterns. Flashes of trch colours, gypsy skirts, cossack trousers and Ukrainian and Romanian embroidered materials contrasted with the structured lines of silk outfits bordered with sable.

Kateryna told WWD that she plans to bring a group of Ukrainian designers to the Paris haute couture platform. "We may get them here as early as October, "she said. "It's a great moment creatively for our country right now."

www.gaultier.com
14 July 2005

Gaultier launches unisex fragrance

Jean Paul Gaultier is launching his first unisex fragrance. The idea is to return to traditional perfumery where there were no women's and men's genres. Perfumes were made for the individual, a Gaultier spokeswoman says.

The black-and-white advertising visuals by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, highlight a man and woman floating towards each other in magnetic attraction. In the spots, the couple also suddenly separate like magnets do. The doubling strategy continues in press advertising where two Liquid Touch samples will appear in double page spreads.

Following a period of exclusivity at French department store Galeries Lafayette from early September, the line will arrive in international markets from September 26 through October and in the US early next year.

www.gaultier.com
3 July 2005

Gaultier appoints new president

Eric Labaume is to be the new president of French fashion house, Jean Paul Gaultier. He was appointed by Gaultier after Donald Potard was forced to leave the firm over two weeks ago. The 53-year-old Labaume, an experienced executive, took over as president last week. Potard quit the company after 20 years because of the losses the firm was suffering during the past few years.

French luxury brand Hermes owns 35 per cent of Gaultier and the company's management had been concerned with the house's lapsed sales. Labaume has experience managing luxury brands, including Ines de la Fressange and Balmain. He began his career at the major French manufacturer, Mendes, which is part of the group that controls the famous Lacoste sportswear label.

The house of Gaultier said in a statement: "Monsieur Jean Paul Gaultier chose Monsieur Eric Labaume for the variety and quality of his experience in the luxury sector, and notably in the areas of production and distribution. His competence and mastery of the fashion métiers will allow him to guide the future development of the house."

www.gaultier.com
19 April 2005

Gaultier boss resigns

Donald Potard, president of fashion house Jean Paul Gaultier, has resigned, causing tongues to wag about the state of the company.

Potard was a childhood friend of Gaultier who was promoted to president of the company in 1990. His management skills were as unconventional as Gaultier's designer skills, which is what he attributed the success of the company to. "We did couture after ready-to-wear, perfume before couture and we opened boutiques almost as the last step."

By way of explanation for his departure the 53 year old said: "My aim was to transform a small ready-to-wear company into the youngest luxury house. I now consider my mission accomplished."

In 1990 the company's revenues amounted to GBP 4.1 million, while last year's revenues totalled GBP 19 million. However, the house has been in the red for the past two years and the industry has speculated that Hermes, which owns 35 per cent of Gaultier, was losing patience. Last year, Gaultier was forced to fire 31 staff in an effort to save money. Hermes declined to comment on Potard's departure.

Managing director Christophe Caillaud is expected to take over the day-to-day duties from Potard until a replacement can be secured.

www.gaultier.com
5 April 2005

Gaultier eye-to-eye with De Rigo

French fashion house Jean Paul Gaultier signed an agreement granting De Rigo, a leading eyewear company, a license to produce and distribute Jean Paul Gaultier optical frames and sunglasses starting with the 2006 collection. The new collection of sunglasses and eyewear will complete the range of Jean Paul Gaultier's lines of accessories, fully reflecting the identity and style of the fashion firm.

The new 2006 Jean Paul Gaultier Eyewear Collection will be presented at the Silmo Exhibition, in Paris, during October 2005 and distributed beginning in November 2005 worldwide, with the exception of the Japanese market.

23 January 2005