Confessions of a Fashion Writer: Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2011

A Moroccan spirit influences Jean Paul Gaultier. French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier was inspired from the late legendary French couturier Yves Saint Laurent. The era in particular that was referenced was the 1970's when Saint Laurent spent a tremendous amount of time at his second home in Marrakesh, Morocco. While spending time there he was greatly influenced by traditional Moroccan dressing. With this idea in the collection there was a tremendous amounts of fabrics visible in the generous fitted tunics and sleeveless caftans. There was a mix of Moroccan inspired pieces paired with tailored suits and worn over a typical shirt and tie. It was a concoction of Saint Laurent's personal style from the 1970's and Gaultier personal touch. Pieces in the collection has this masculine touch exterior but maintained a gentle nature and something similar to the late legendary designer. The Jean Paul Gaultier look was dynamic and ready to travel anywhere in the world

The show was held at the company's headquarters show space on Rue Saint-Martin in Paris with a backdrop resembling a Hammam Middle Eastern spa with shirtless models relaxing in the background. The show opened with a black long Moroccan inspired tunic worn over a cotton shirt and tie paired with black trousers. Gaultier always presents something new and added his own personal touch with the 1970's three-dimensional print on a tunic, pants and underwear. He also referenced abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock with the white splatter paintings that were visible on the tunics, trousers and hand bags.

Admired pieces in the collection were the tunics, black trousers and handbags that had the Jackson Pollock white paint splatters. The Moroccan style tunic and caftan pieces were also very appealing and made this collection cohesive with this inspiration.

Jean Paul Gaultier referenced the late legendary Yves Saint Laurent's elegance and the way he dressed in the 1970's. There was also that special Gaultier twist in the three-dimensional and Jackson Pollock reference. The Jean Paul Gaultier man is ready to live a jet set life style and take nice holiday to Morocco. -Brent Billiman, Paris, France.