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Everyone loves Beth Ditto. If it’s not for her gifting us with karaoke classics like ‘Standing In The Way of Control’ with Gossip, it might be for bringing her unique brand of sass to the catwalk at Marc Jacobs’ and Jean Paul Gaultier’s fashion week shows.

Well, the singer/model/all round awesome gal has announced her forthcoming, self-titled, plus-size clothing line. What’s more, to celebrate this exciting news Beth has collaborated with longtime pal Jean Paul Gaultier (casual) on a limited edition T-shirt. The playful design features a front and back print of Gaultier’s iconic bullet bra – think 80s Madonna tour goddess vibes – on an oversize jet-black T-shirt dress, complete with three-dimensional adjustable corset laces on the back.

Not only did Ditto walk the runway for Gaultier, but also wore a custom gown by the designer at her wedding. Only fitting then that he be the first person for Ditto to collaborate with. “Jean Paul is the most generous, positive person, he truly loves women of all sizes and ages and knows how to make everyone feel gorgeous.” Ditto says of Gaultier. “I love that this shirt is funny and chic at the same time, like all the best people!”

Gaultier has a suitably positive view on the collaboration, which sees the designer continue in his tradition of embracing non-traditional models and stepping outside of the boundaries of the fashion industry. “Big girls are beautiful and Beth is super beautiful! Long live the beauty of shapes, boobs and bottoms. This is a new concept, a loose fit corset. And Beth fits it perfectly.”

What a dream team. Due out this Feb, Beth’s collection will focus on prints as vibrant as her personality and well-tailored pieces, with silks, rayons and beautiful embroidery – something she notes is lacking in plus-size lines. “This line is by us, for us, period. It’s my lifelong dream to get to design real clothes for big people, clothes that are comfortable and cool.” Amen to that.

Photos by Christine Hahn.

The Beth Ditto John Paul Gaultier shirt is available exclusively here, with a portion of the proceeds going towards Girls Rock Camp Foundation.

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If backpack mavericks Eastpak make you think of Travis Birkenstock and his baggy trousered skater cronies in Clueless, you haven’t seen the new Eastpak X Jean Paul Gaultier collab. Having first joined forces for the fourth edition of Eastpak Artist Studio in support of Designers Against AIDS (following in the footsteps of Raf Simon and Walter Van Beirendonck), whilst JPG is renowned for extravagance, this new collection is surprisingly pared back.

Think lush pastel tones with trademark overstitched Breton stripes. Here, simplicity, functionality and wearability are paramount. The limited edition lines dropped exclusively in Selfridges in February, but those of us who aren’t on the Forbes list can bag a bargain from the main line stores come April. Backpack’s back, alright!

Words: Brooke McCord

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Globally renowned as the enfant terrible of the fashion world, last month Jean Paul Gaultier took his final bow as a ready-to-wear designer in order to focus instead on his haute couture, fragrance and accessories lines. To mark this “end of an era”, we’re taking you on a guided tour of the designer’s theatrical, extravagant and (more than a little bit) bonkers Spring/Summer 2015 Paris Fashion Week show to highlight exactly why the playful designer will be so sorely missed.

Enjoy your moment(s) in the spotlight

Having begun his career as a Eurotrash presenter (remember THAT?!), it’s safe to say that Jean Paul Gaultier has never been one to shy away from the limelight that surrounds him. And, of course, his SS15 show was a testimony to that… The streets around Le Grand Rex cinema where the show was staged were completely gridlocked with fashion heavyweights, street style stars and gatecrashers alike. The spectacle continued inside, where the foyer was complete with a concession stand serving up popcorn and champagne before showgoers settled down to see the designer’s final show: the ‘Election de Miss Jean Paul Gaultier 2015’.

Celebrity sells

Jean Paul Gaultier has had everyone from Madonna and Dita Von Teese to Conchita Wurst on his runway. True to form, the crowd at his final show was like a Who’s Who of the fashion industry, with Rick Owens, Jeremy Scott, Gareth Pugh and Alexander Wang all cheering their design peer on from the sidelines. The catwalk also had some familiar faces strutting their stuff, with the ‘Miss Rédactrice du Mode’ section of the show featuring models dressed up as iconic Fashion Editors ranging from Franca Sozzani, Emmanuelle Alt and Carine Roitfeld to Grace Coddington and Suzy Menkes.

A catwalk show should be just that: a show  

Whether it be a topless Madonna in 1992, puppets instead of models in 2004 or the Amy Winehouse tribute show in 2008, the designer certainly knows how to make people look. This year was – naturally – no different, and when the time came to pick Jean Paul Gaultier’s pageant winner, the competition came down to two models wearing his iconic cone bra dresses (what else?). Although Coco Rocha was technically crowned the winner, Anna Cleveland promptly yanked the crown for herself when Rocha ‘fainted’ with excitement. Miss Congeniality eat your heart out.

How to make androgyny chic…

The ‘Miss Smoking’ portion of Jean Paul Gaultier’s SS15 collection referenced the designer’s exquisite tailoring and gender bending silhouettes. Trust me, when you can turn a double-breasted blazer into a convincing cocktail dress then you’ve really made it as a fashion designer.

But also how to embrace your femininity

The conical bra and basques that Jean Paul Gaultier made for Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour in the nineties are arguably what catapulted the designer to international stardom. The celebration of the feminine form is something that has become somewhat synonymous with the designer, even filtering through to the shape of his ‘Classique’ perfume bottle. So it was only natural that this chapter in his fashion life was also explored in his final ‘greatest hits’ show too.

Defy convention

It might be quicker to list the things that Jean Paul Gaultier hasn’t done in order to both shock and amaze the fashion world! But from presenting a collection entitled ‘Chic Rabbis’ (no, really) to using androgynous model Andrej Pejic as a haute couture bridal model, the designer has always revelled in controversy. For SS15, his final debunking of ready-to-wear runway conventions saw older glamour pusses taking to the catwalk with bare-chested male models. Ooh la la!

Don’t take yourself too seriously

But, most importantly (don’t you just love a happy ending?) the designer taught an industry that all too often takes itself too seriously to remember to put the fun back into fashion.  So as the golden confetti fell upon the dancing models, the designer ran on to take his final ready-to-wear bow wearing his very own beauty pageant sash, before going off stage to rapturous applause… Smiling like he always has done.

Words: Samantha Southern.

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Fashion giants Jean Paul Gaultier have recruited all-round Creative Nik Thakkar as the face of the brands AW13-14 Mens’ digital campaign.

The digital initiative showcases Thakkar, – who also act as industry muse, in a selection of signature looks, most notably the classic breton stripes teamed with a kilt, and a statement leather lace ensemble.

Thakkar, who worked alongside the brand on their 2012 Diet Coke campaign honourably explains:

“I have been in love with the brand since I can remember, and had the pleasure of working with the team last year when we shot and launched the Diet Coke partnership, so I already felt like part of the family”

The former blogger’s previous appointments have seen him team up with Louis Vuitton on their Art Of Packing project as well as showing at London Fashion Week: Men’s collection, each season with his own label ‘Ada + Nik’ which is a partnership with Designer Ada Zandition.

His personal Andro-punk identity displays diluted references of his style influencers Jared Leto and Sex Pistols member, Sid Vicious.

The campaign and accompanying 17 second short film was shot by Emma LeDoyen at Gaultier’s Paris HQ.

See the full film here:

Nik Thakkar for Jean Paul Gaultier AW13/14 Menswear Digital Campaign from Nik Thakkar on Vimeo.

Words: Shane Hawkins

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