Fashion Mission Montreal: Next Stop, Musee des Beaux Arts

The Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Musee des Beaux Arts was the raison d'etre for my Montreal visit. After seeing the McQueen exhibit in New York (opening day, no queue!) I was adamant about catching JPG during its short run (through October 2, 2011) so close to home. 

This tribute to the l'enfant terrible of fashion begins with a most impressive display of nearly live mannequins. Faces of real people are projected and animated onto mannequin heads for an effect that is sometimes surprising and mildly disturbing.  (More on the mannequins here.) Aside from Gaultier's work itself - which includes 130 emsembles, sketches, photographs and films - they are the most riveting part of the exhibition.

I've always been a fan of Gaultier's punk sensibilities, and have closely followed him since his pointy corsets for Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour (saw that too!). In today's world I find his point of view and expression against oppression more than relevant - I find it necessary.

Meow...

Top hat made of hair

Hat designed from vintage hair dryer