Folies Bergère... it has been on my list of things to do in Paris for a very long time. Last night was finally the right moment and the perfect show!
When a show opens with the song "Le Freak c'est Chic" you just know you are about to embark on a great voyage even if you are squeezed into a tiny little theatre box sitting on wobbly chairs that have seen better times.
Eccentric, scandalous, provocative, exuberant and funny, the Fashion Freak show was a cocktail of revue and fashion, a musical spectacle of Mr. Gaultier’s 66-year-long life.
Starting with Nana - his beloved grandmother - and her elaborate corsetry that he constructed a conical bra for his teddy bear (his first fashion creation) to his great love, Francis Menuge, in a charming scene where they dance as one in a signature Gaultier navy and white matelot sweater big enough to embrace the two of them.
From Catherine Deneuve, one of the designer’s muses, announcing each passage as she slugs Champagne to a hilarious scene in which a power-suited Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue, telecommunicates from the stage with an onscreen version of Karl Lagerfeld as reimagined by the Belgian-Congolese comedian Kody Kim. Madonna is, of course, omnipresent.
For this show, JP designed tens of new exclusive outfits to incorporate within an exuberant scenography without forgetting to invite his most iconic creations! He knew he wanted to stage this extravaganza at the Folies Bergère, the theater that has enchanted him since he first watched its television broadcasts as a boy.
It sure enchanted my hubby and I for a night...
Jean Paul Gaultier's life story at Folies Bergère
A quick "flûte de champagne" on a Parisian sidewalk bistro before the show...
... and off we go!
The decor feels like Disneyland for adults
Spectacular ceiling decor
Let the show begin...
