Jean Paul Gaultier

This week I went to see the new exhibition at the Barbican in London, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. Clothes aside, the presentation of the exhibition itself was amazing. Firstly in the way that some of the mannequins displaying Gaultier's avant-garde creations had faces projected onto their heads that blink, sing and talk, including one of the designer himself, welcoming guests to the exhibition. There were rooms devoted to the designer's muses over the years, including Madonna, Kyle, Grace Jones and Kate Moss, beautiful fashion photography decorating the walls, and a mechanical catwalk showcasing some of Gaultier's designs. All of the clothes were in arms reach and it was really exciting to be able to see the intricate detail in the haute couture pieces.

Breton-striped lace dress from the Spring/Summer 2000 couture collection.

A dress from the Spring/Summer 2007 couture "Virgins" collection.

"Auréole" gown, worn by Kyle Minogue in the Pierre et Gilles photograph The Virgin with the Serpents, 2008.

Boy George inspired pieces from the Spring/Summer 2013 ready-to-wear collection.

Stage costumes worn by Madonna during her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour.

The "Punk Cancan" Room.

Outfit modelled by Agyness Deyn on the Spring/Summer 2007 ready-to-wear catwalk.

Skirt and dress made of multicoloured kipper ties, from the Spring/Summer 2002 couture collection.

Mannequins on a conveyor belt catwalk.

Outfit from the Autumn/Winter 2014-15 ready-to-wear collection.

The exhibition runs until the 25th August 2014, I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Gaultier's work, or fans of punk, androgynous fashion.