Jean Paul Gaultier: ‘Puss In Boots’ Goes Haute
By Mari Davis
Photos by FW

PARIS, Jul 8, 2004/ FW/ --- When Jean Paul Gaultier (photo at left) delves into history, he goes all the way, touching every aspect, honoring the correct person while creating the most imaginative and delightful fashion. On the last day of the haute couture season, Jean Paul Gaultier was at his best and presented possibly the best show for the season.

It’s “Puss In Boots” goes haute, a seeming take from French author Charles Perrault (1628-1703) fairy tale about a cat who made his master rich and powerful. Jean Paul Gaultier made it very apparent from the onset, opening with cocoa brown leather pants, and gold top with a cowl neckline worn with olive green knitted leg warmer, that is in actuality part of the boots. Paired with a leather cape with fringes and orange leather gauntlets, the couturier made a subtle reference to Hermès where he also designs the womenswear collection.

“I suppose it was Hermès couture in a way,” Gaultier told the International Herald Tribune. But it is more than that. It is Jean Paul Gaultier’s magic all the way.

Because who can put thigh high boots with 9 belt buckles with S&M inference and another one made from ostrich feathers on the same runway and get away with it except Gaultier. Everything gelled and made sense, including the leather arm warmer morphing into a purse that is studded with rivets.

Or that he jumped from different places on different stages of world history, following the history of the boot. From the English Stuarts who left England, and went to the far reaches of the world, so did Jean Paul Gaultier, bringing his audience from Europe, to Africa, to the Americas, wherein some of the Stuarts settled and their boots became the progenitor of the cowboy boots.

Hence Erin O’Connor wearing a Mexican style hat is part and parcel of the story because as history will tell, Texas, where the modern cowboy boots originated was once part of Mexico.

It’s not just about history though. It’s also about cavalier women, whom the designer has highlighted several times on his runway.

And the most important thing of all, something the couturier never said, but as a fashion observer, I have always known --- the collection reflects and shows Jean Paul Gaultier’s design genius. And that is the reason why he is currently the crowned king of French fashion.

Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier