Latest news with #JeanPaulGaultier
Euronews
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Falling in Love 'is possible only in Berlin' says Jean Paul Gaultier
"I went to the Garden of Love, And saw what I never had seen." Thus begins William Blake's 230 year-old poem 'The Garden of Love'. And what a bloom has it inspired in the shape of musical sensation Falling in Love, at the Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin. "I just remember how it was the first time I read the first two lines," writer and director Oliver Hoppmann explains. "I went to the Garden of Love and saw what I never had seen. And that was just, wow, that struck me, because there's pretty much everything in there for a show. There's a reference to nature, to love, I mean, what else do you need?" Well, it turns out what else you need are a supporting team of 60 performers, 50 musicians and countless backstage and office staff. Oh, and an audience, which now collectively amounts to half a million spectators. Some of whom, much to my initial dismay, clapped along rather a lot. The show centres on a young, creative but rather lost character called 'You', a deaf poet whose inability to conform leaves them dejected until an immersion into the lost Garden of Love opens a realm of possibilities. A magical place where they may finally find words, and a voice that is heard. That it is a spectacle is doubtless. From the get-go, Falling in Love showers you with light, with colour and with a wow factor that doesn't ever really go away. Your eyes dart left, right, up, through, beyond, and at every shift there is a new colour, a new depth, another stonking guitar-riff. And while you're blown away by the sheer magnitude of this visual carnival, the remaining part of your senses will not be surprised to discover that the entire thing has been curated by the French fashion stylist Jean Paul Gaultier. "Jean Paul and I, we've known each other for quite some has become a friend of our house because he loves the shows at Frederickstraße Palast," continues Hoppmann. "He travels here privately to see shows. So we have been in regular contact. And when we came to that idea of that new show, that poem, that garden of love, we said, okay, who could be that person who brings that spark in a couture way to that?" There is of course only one answer. Enter Jean Paul Gaultier. "I have had the pleasure and the privilege to design again many costumes for Falling in Love, but I also worked with other designers: Matières Fécales and Sasha Frolova. The challenge was to choose great collaborators who would share my and Oliver's vision for the show. And after our initial meetings and exchange of ideas and first sketches I was happy to give them almost a carte blanche for their sections of the show," Gaultier explains to Euronews Culture. The layered production design and the scale of that design gives you a tangible 360 degree sensation. The costumes are truly spectacular with echoes of Gaultier's iconic outfits in The Fifth Element but also The Hunger Games which, although designed by Judianna Makovsky, betrayed a Gaultier influence in places. "I have some codes that are part of my style and my fashion vocabulary," he says. "The corset and the cone bra is one of them. I always want to create something new but at the same time I use my fashion codes as my vocabulary." Theatrically it shares some elements with the We Will Rock You musical that ran for 12 years in London, and not just the wall of guitars. The flagrant pantomime nature that pervades much of the interaction is a common by-product of writing it large. And this is as large as indoor theatre gets. From the kick-off number Diamond City, it's clear the show is going to be a kaleidoscope. And you need such a thing when the whole audience is not bilingual and therefore the jokes sometimes fall flat. The audiences have comprised many nationalities but the top five are France, Switzerland, the US, Austria, and Denmark. There is cheeky titillation (the lower cheeks to be precise) and super-hench pecs on show in a celebration of athletic prowess and beauty. Choreography and technical elements come together to form something genuinely beautiful; a dancer abseiling down a waterfall enchants the mind while a wonderfully-engineered fountain dance is candy-popping fun. And all the camp, kitsch, multicoloured vibrancy sometimes finds its way into the audience. There's no fourth wall here. We're allowed into the pop video, the dream, the trip. The guitar-toting character of Leon is part game show host, part Worf from Star Trek. I wonder if all this colour has left characterisation as a second thought. The colours don't really inhabit the character types they represent in any physical or vocal way which leaves us having to try to recall them. Gaultier himself admits his greatest challenge on this production "was the soloists and how best to express their nature and their feelings through the costumes." There is something tribal about the colours here. We have three camps: red, green and blue, all in their various ways offering modes of expression to the poet to colour their world. The theme of deafness and isolation is encapsulated by the character of 'You', which brings a profound level of meaning to the carnival. "I try to focus on vision, on touch, on vibrations," says Justyna Woloch, who plays the deaf character of 'You'. "There is, built into the stage, a vibration plate in the middle of the hexagon that was purposefully made for people with hearing problems to be able to feel when to really be on the music and not be off the beat." Woloch is not deaf but took over from deaf performer Hearns Sebuado when she took the role of 'You'. "The plate helps me as well because, of course, I hear music and I immediately start moving but I really consciously have to try to stop hearing it, which is really hard. And so many times during the show I'm touching the vibration plate and trying to really block out all the sound." To illustrate the genesis of this element of the show, Hoppmann tells me about a deaf poetry slam that he attended 10 years ago where he suddenly understood the frustration of those with hearing impairment. "I'm a hearing director in a room of non-hearing people with performers on stage who are only using sign language, German sign language, to recite their poems. And I didn't have a clue what they were saying. There were, like, verbalisations and an audio description." "There was a verbal translation for people who were hearing and couldn't understand sign language," he recounts. "But, you know, a director always wants to be ahead of time, right? You want to know what comes next, what happens next. And I couldn't because I had always to wait until I got the translation. I really felt it. I'm the last person in the room that understood." It is without a doubt impressive that the themes of deafness and isolation are part of something so vast, loud (in both colour and sound) and inclusive, and the Palast itself plays a fundamental part in the proceedings. With an unrivalled stage area of 2,854 square metres, and near-perfect sight lines for the whole audience, as well as a trailblazing air-conditioning system via the actual seats, unusually visual treats can be clearly observed in comfort. Also playing a role is the wider geographical context. The inimitable city of Berlin. "I love Berlin," admits Gaultier. "I have been coming regularly for years. There was still the wall dividing the city the first time I visited. And this show is possible only in Berlin with its unique history and unique feeling." Disco ball shoulder pads, bike helmets, glitter g-strings with regency wigs run amok on the enormous stage. Every number is a brilliant pop video leaving little room for sentiment but plenty of fuel for entertainment. Gaultier is resolute on what's important. "It is a show, a Grand Show and I think it is most important that the audience enjoys themselves, that they enjoy the story, the music, the dancing, the special effects, the costumes. Whether that enjoyment is through form or the substance is not crucial for me," he says. Another thing that will not have escaped the audiences are the extraordinary number of crystals in the design. This is thanks to a partnership deal with Swarovski who provided a staggering 100 million crystals in all cuts and colours, which I am assured is a new world record in live entertainment. I'm not convinced there was an old world record to beat but it certainly fits the 'sky's the limit' remit. Profundity may be hard to detect among a sea of crystals but there are important themes at work amongst the glitz. There's an anthropological callback to Levi Strauss in the play's symbolic handing-over of the written word from the character of 'Me' and then to the character of 'You'. Walls created by isolation are broken, which takes on its own emotional evocation after the confinement of the global pandemic. The astonishing acrobatic performers (audiences genuinely screaming with disbelief at the physical feats) fall out of windows onto trampettes and ping back up again only to throw themselves out again is a nice metaphor for human romantic behaviour. The silly shapes we bend ourselves into for love and visibility. And on the philosophical note, when quizzed about upcoming fashion trends, Gaultier responds with something that probably should be on a poster. "I don't look at fashion as much as I used to. And trends are just trends but the style is something that stays. If you are too fashionable then very quickly you become unfashionable. As the French say La Mode se démode." Falling in Love is booking until 5 July 2025.
Emirates Woman
a day ago
- Business
- Emirates Woman
Editor's Picks: 35 seriously good designer sale finds we can't keep to ourselves
From bold boots to covetable bags, you'll find all the must-have styles in this edit, whether it's for an outfit refresh or gifting something special for your loved ones this Eid Al Adha. Here, Emirates Woman curates the best of designer sale finds – from Celine, Victoria Beckham, Alaïa, and more – to shop from your favourite online retailers. OUNASS: Up to 60% off Ounass's end-of-season sale has officially landed — and it's brimming with covetable pieces worth adding to cart. Expect up to 60% off across a curated edit of luxury and contemporary labels, from cult-status accessories by DeMellier and Manu Atelier to statement heels from Paris Texas and party-ready pieces by The Attico. Your summer wardrobe refresh? Sorted. BLOOMINGDALE'S: Up to 70% off If you needed a sign to shop, this is it. Bloomingdale's is offering up to 70% off across its designer lineup — think Celine sunglasses, sleek handbags, and occasionwear ready to impress. With two-hour delivery across the UAE, it's perfect for last-minute gifting or spontaneous outfit upgrades. MYTHERESA: Extra 10% off sale items The Mytheresa sale just got even better. For a limited time only, enjoy an extra 10% off already marked-down styles with the code SALE10 (minimum spend: €500/AED2,092). From wardrobe staples to designer finds, now's the time to snag those wishlist items before they disappear. NET-A-PORTER: Up to 50% off The seasonal sale at Net-a-Porter is in full swing — and it's as chic as ever. With up to 50% off across all categories, this is your chance to score standout pieces from the likes of Khaite, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Jacquemus. Be warned: these fresh finds won't stay in stock for long. Scroll through the gallery below for 35 editor-approved sale finds: – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Instagram @mittth
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Straits Times
The not-so-sustainable reality of buying second-hand fashion
I pride myself on being a savvy second-hand shopper. A gently used vintage Jean Paul Gaultier blazer from a second-hand store in Taiwan; a silk Moschino scarf from a flea market in Tokyo; a novelty Kate Spade box clutch from a charity sale in Singapore – these are just a few of the treasures I have unearthed over the years at a fraction of their original prices. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blackpink's Jennie Models Bold Looks in Jean Paul Gaultier Campaign
LIFE IS A CABARET: Awaiting the first collection by its new permanent creative director Duran Lantink, Jean Paul Gaultier has released a pre-fall 2025 collection fronted by none other than Blackpink's Jennie. Created by the design studio at the Paris maison, the pre-fall collection includes corsetry, tailoring and trompe-l'œil motifs, all signatures of the house. Looks were created around the four elements: water, fire, earth and air. More from WWD EXCLUSIVE: Rosé, Jay Chou and Lewis Hamilton Discuss Their Suitcase Stickers Jean Paul Gaultier Is Officially a Cabaret King Jennie Revives Mugler's 1992 Les Cow-boys Collection for Coachella 2025 Weekend Two 'This campaign felt like stepping into a dream,' Jennie commented in a release. 'Every look had its own energy — fluid, fiery, grounded or light — and I loved expressing all those sides of myself through Gaultier's incredible design. 'Jean Paul Gaultier has always inspired me to be bold, and this was truly a celebration of that spirit,' she added. Max Siedentopf, an Emmy-award winner, directed the campaign, with styling by Minhee Park and Leopold Duchemin, hair by Seonyeong Lee, makeup by Joyoun Won and nails by Cam Tran. According to the Gaultier house, Jennie 'appears as a modern-day showgirl, commanding the stage of this visual universe. Her presence, both grounded and ethereal, brings a new dimension to each look — flirting with instinctive strength and authenticity.' While strongly associated with Chanel, where she has been a global ambassador since 2017, Jennie is known for her eclectic fashion tastes, wearing looks by Mugler and Georges Hobeika for her recent appearance at Coachella 2025. Jennie attended the Jean Paul Gaultier couture collection created by guest designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin last January in Paris, wearing a beaded nude illusion gown from Gaultier's spring 2008 couture collection. View Gallery Launch Gallery: Jennie is the 'Ultimate Showgirl' in Jean Paul Gaultier's Pre-fall 2025 Campaign [PHOTOS] Best of WWD Janet Jackson's Best Fashion Through the Years [PHOTOS] Aishwarya Rai's Cannes Film Festival Fashion Moments Through the Years: Every Look [PHOTOS] Queen Camilla's Royal Style Throughout King Charles III's Reign [PHOTOS]
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Love this one' say beauty buffs fans as they rave about a £2 dupe of Black Opium – and it's almost 48x cheaper
WE all love a cheeky bargain - especially when we find something that feels just like a high-end brand. Thrifty beauty buffs are now raving about a Advertisement 2 Home Bargains has stepped up its beauty game in the recent years - and this perfume has already become a hit amongst shoppers Credit: ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK 2 Unlike the affordable £2 perfume, the real deal by YSL will set you back more than £90 for a 50ml bottle Credit: YSL The popular discount retailer has stepped up its beauty game over the last few years - and its latest additions to the shelves are certainly not here to disappoint. According to fans of the mega store, you can now snap up a dupe of the posh While the high-end version will set you back an eye-watering £97 for a 50ml bottle, Home Bargains customers can purchase Opal Black for a mere £2. Black Opium is described by Yves Saint Laurent as a "captivating floral gourmand scent" with dark, roasted notes of coffee. Advertisement READ MORE ON BEAUTY So if you love the aroma but don't want to spend close to £100 on a perfume, this £2 version is perfect. With such an epic price difference, it comes as no wonder that the Home Bargains perfume has already taken the internet by storm. One mum, who remained anonymous, took to the to rave about the purse-friendly buy. She wrote in Advertisement Most read in Fabulous ''They go through so much and they smell amazing, I'll be back for the other dupes.'' But while many seemed to love the Woman makes a mega beauty mistake before leaving her home all glammed up One beauty buff warned: ''These fakes smell lovely when u spray them, but don't last too long. Noted Aromas do good copies and they last longer.'' Someone else agreed, writing: ''Smells nice for about 20 minutes then you can't smell it anymore.'' Advertisement A mum chimed in: ''I have this my daughter got me it. Smells lovely.'' The best perfume dupes on the high street WE all love a good perfume, but they can also be pricey. So why not try a dupe from the high street instead? Here's some of the best: *If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue Marks & Spencer: Apothecary Warmth, £9.50 - dupe for Le Labo's Santal 33 - BUY NOW Sea Salt and Neroli, £13 - dupe for Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino - BUY NOW Midnight Blossom, £10 - dupe for Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium - BUY NOW Soft Iris, £10 - dupe for Chanel Coco Mademoiselle - BUY NOW Zara: Energetically New York, £25.99 - dupe for Le Labo's Santal 33 Nude Bouquet, £12.99 - dupe for Dior's Miss Dior Applejuice, £12.99 - dupe for DKNY's Be Delicious Sublime Epoque, £22.99 - dupe for Armani My Way Aldi: Empress, £5.99 - dupe for Paco Rabanne Olympéa Feminine, £6.99 - dupe for Coco Mademoiselle Masculine, £6.99 - dupe for Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male Hotel Collection No39 Poppy and Barley, £6.99 - dupe for Jo Malone's Poppy and Barley ''Love this one,'' a fourth commented. Zara is now also flogging a dupe of YSL's Black Opium. Gardenia is selling for £15.99 per 90ml bottle, Zara's website shows. Advertisement Zara describes Gardenia eau de parfum as "captivating", offering a "white floral fragrance". Orange blossom, coffee notes, peach and raspberry make up this silky scent.
