Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Paris Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier's Homage to Amy Winehouse

 

To be quite frank, I never thought I'd see the day where "Amy Winehouse" and "haute couture" would share the same sentence, but the late Back to Black singer was the clear inspiration for Gaultier's Spring Summer 2012 collection in Camden this week.

The collection collaborated and captured Amy's style signatures and the catwalk was awash with beehived bouffants, winged eyeliner, above-lip beauty spots and the inclusion of several models indulging in a cigarette mid-strut. 
Retro silhouettes and attributes, such as cinched waists, elongating pencil skirts and flaring rockabilly dresses were prominent, as were typical Winehouse staples: an array of tropical colours of which she was so fond, peek-a-boo bras, pencil skirts, hooped earrings and even a Fred Perry-esque dress all tailored to accommodate the singer's style flirtations with a manifold of past generations and urban thrift-chic.

Gaultier's own signature was brandished among the collection, merging his infamous corsets via luxurious silk, hourglasses dresses and long, billowing trench coats as a seal of self designation. 
The tradition of ending a couture show with a bride was altered, and allowed each model to be transformed into a bride; donning black veils, as the barber quartet in the background chorused Winehouse's hit "Rehab" evoking the spectator's emotions.

However, the collection has resulted in a strict division in opinions between those close to Winehouse and celebrity peers. Front row onlookers, Beth Ditto and burlesque icon Dita von Teese, were collectively moved by the show while Mitch, Amy's father, has abelled the usage of Amy's image which he feels "glamorises some of the more upsetting times of her life" and is in "bad taste". Kelly Osborne, a close friend to Winehouse, took to Twitter to voice her opposition to the collection, declaring Gaultier as "lucratively selfish and distasteful".

Despite this, the clothing has shown a much more wearable side to haute couture - a turquoise sequined pencil skirt isn't too extravagantly out of the blue, now is it? And due to it's controversy and mixed opinions, has effectuated a talking point - is that not the overall aim of a designer? To have their creations on the lips of the world, whether it be in a negative or positive light.

What do you think? Do you feel "No, no, no!" (I couldn't resist) that Gaultier gone too far and "stolen" Amy's look for his own personal gain? Or do you feel his tribute was saturated with nothing but affection, celebrating the life of a musical and style icon?


8 comments:

  1. I love the Long skirts and the big hair. What happened to your tumblr if you don't mind me asking? x

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    1. Aesthetic and Amy all in one. Nothing's happened to it, a mere url change is all x

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  2. I think you should take the risk and send some of your articles to a magazine company! The worst that can happen is they say no :)

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  3. Sian conway did you delete your youtube account?

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    1. She did. It says on an entry on her tumblr that she was forced to take it down. She still has one of her videos on a different sight though.

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    2. Yes, I did and I'd much rather keep this blog immune to frivolous matters like that.

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  4. Before I say this, I think I'd better provide the appropriate background information in order to accurately convey the weight of my compliment: I know NOTHING about style, or fashion. I don't even want to know. Heck, I don't even know the basics like which colors go with which, or what is appropriate to wear on "special occasions". That being said, I read through this entire post in rapt attention-beginning to end- in awe of your writing style! You have a gripping and professional tone and it is very clear that not only are you knowledgable about the subject, but also passionate. It's almost enough to make me want to know a bit more about fashion! (and that is a compliment to you, for sure!) Anyways, I had seen something about how you didn't think you could "make it" as a fashion writer, but I'd have to say I think you are totally wrong about that! And even if you don't go into the fashion industry with your writing, I think you should seriously consider writing in SOME capacity in your future. You are definitely gifted! I know this seems a bit gushing and perhaps exaggerated, but in all honesty- I'm merely calling it like I see it from an objective point of view. And lemme tell you, I am envious of your skill! Any how, I couldn't resist commenting and I hope that, as difficult as it is sometimes, you will try and give yourself some much deserved credit!

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