Up the majestic steps and we've entered The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). The crowd goes silent at a superimposed projected image of Gaultier's face wrapped around the mannequin. He's dressed in his signature stripes and I feel like I'm standing next to this Icon...the artist, himself. He begins speaking in French and now more than ever, I wish I understood. Shame on me I've only had about a decade of French classes embedded into the Ontario Education system to learn the language.
There is what sounds like an ongoing church hymn, creating the ambience with Gaultier's baroque styled headpieces and immaculate lady gaga inspired suits. I feel like I'm in mass again. I'm not sure if it's the mirror reflection above the mannequins, or the actual audience that's making the room grow smaller. It's dark, but light at the same time. I'm referring to the physically dark ambience and the eery eyes of these almost touchable creatures, contrasted with the airy mood and friendly sailor stripes of Gaultier's projection. His comical chuckle in between speech lightens the mood, and although it's a bit frightening, I love everything about it.
Slowly making our way into the back, underlying religious themes subtly surface in high end fashion photographs documenting 35 years of Gaultier's legacy. And of course, what better to pair the religious themes than with a David Lachapelle?
After, photo among photo, we reach the dark and heavy velvet curtains. Pulling them back and walking in, I feel like I've entered a different world, modern runway pieces and nostalgic vintage pieces are glowing under the carefully placed spotlight.
Pull back the curtains for the next exhibit, and it's almost like I've walked into a Rhianna video. Heavy chains and sadomasochism pieces staring me right in the face. It's all a contradiction to the timeless gowns sparkling under the spotlight only directed in those select areas of the room.
Part III is a little more romantic, you've got a wide panoramic city scape background and it feels like Paris at night. The dazzling pieces emerge from the dark walls, with amazing textures and great detailing, only an insect could appreciate.
The variation of gorgeous pieces steal the limelight from the 2 dimensional photos on the walls, but I can't help notice a lovely one by Stephane Sednaoui. Just in the moment I'm about to snap a photo, museum security boldly advises "mannequins only."
Slowly making our way into the back, underlying religious themes subtly surface in high end fashion photographs documenting 35 years of Gaultier's legacy. And of course, what better to pair the religious themes than with a David Lachapelle?
After, photo among photo, we reach the dark and heavy velvet curtains. Pulling them back and walking in, I feel like I've entered a different world, modern runway pieces and nostalgic vintage pieces are glowing under the carefully placed spotlight.
Pull back the curtains for the next exhibit, and it's almost like I've walked into a Rhianna video. Heavy chains and sadomasochism pieces staring me right in the face. It's all a contradiction to the timeless gowns sparkling under the spotlight only directed in those select areas of the room.
Part III is a little more romantic, you've got a wide panoramic city scape background and it feels like Paris at night. The dazzling pieces emerge from the dark walls, with amazing textures and great detailing, only an insect could appreciate.
The variation of gorgeous pieces steal the limelight from the 2 dimensional photos on the walls, but I can't help notice a lovely one by Stephane Sednaoui. Just in the moment I'm about to snap a photo, museum security boldly advises "mannequins only."
An overstayed visit at the exhibition, and my time is up. I feel like I've walked out knowing Gaultier inside and out for the past 3 decades. I never thought I could like him more... but now some how, I do.
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