Montreal exhibits fashion like fine arts |

By Myriam ‘M♥’ Richard

Don’t we love firsts? Some come spontaneously, others we anticipate. And today we must certainly have reasons to anticipate! From June 17th to October 2nd, the world of fine arts meets that of fashion as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts ushers in the first international exhibition to celebrate fashion’s Enfant terrible – designer Jean-Paul Gaultier, who also is celebrating the 35th anniversary of his eponymous label.

The exhibition, titled The Fashion World of Jean-Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk celebrates the creativity that year after year made Gaultier a reference in avant-garde fashion. The history of his creativity-filled life, cutting edge signature style and unprecedented inventiveness will be put on display under the curated eye of Thierry-Maxime Loriot and leadership of Director and Chief Curator Nathalie Bondil. Local companies were chosen to take part of the creative concept that forms this exhibition such as Montreal’s design firm Paprika for the 424-page catalog’s graphic design and theater company UBU for the design and staging of the ingenious audio-visual projection concept that will entertain visitors during the exhibit.

I mean, we’re not only talking about the display of clothes on mannequins and playing runway shows here, but additionally the presentation of sketches, stage costumes, never-before-seen prints by famed photographers such as Steven Meisel or artists like Warhol and David Lachapelle, videos, concerts, and the list goes on. I can’t barely contain myself while reading the written preview of what will be seen then.

If you love fashion like I do as a branch of the tree of Art or just want to visit a one-of-a-kind exhibit, The Fashion World of Jean-Paul Gaultier is one to visit. Bondil said of the exhibition that she wanted to “create an exhibition on Jean Paul Gaultier more than any other couturier because of his great humanity”. This exhibition, as Gaultier states himself is “not only a retrospective but a creation in its own right”. That is enough of an embodied enticement. Of course, this is a mere before-taste of the actual experience of being there and of course, I will duly write a review after going. The best, evidently, is to make your own review by being there yourself. Save the date – June 17th to October 2nd, 2011. I can’t wait to read what you have to say about it!!

Live. Laugh. Love. Fashion.