The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

About

Once dubbed the enfant terrible of the fashion world, French designer Jean Paul Gaultier has always cultivated a certain aesthetic. He eschewed the norms of Parisian fashion in favor of street-inspired styles and playful looks buoyed by pop culture, and it was his unusual, unconventional taste (along with his considerable talent, despite a lack of formal training) that got him noticed back in the '70s. His critical success helped him make more mainstream inroads as the creative director at the house of Hermès—but his eponymous label is as outrageous as ever. Dallas is one of only two Stateside stops on this exhibit's international tour, which showcases about 140 haute couture dresses and ready-to-wear pieces along with 40 years of Gaultier's designs.