With the echo of rehearsing singers bouncing around the halls of Tokyu Orb Theatre in Shibuya, we made our way through the winding halls and was greeted with a door marked ‘Jean Paul Gaultier’. Here for the unveiling of his Fashion Freak Show musical in Tokyo, I still couldn’t believe we were meeting THE Jean Paul Gaultier, despite already waiting behind his very door. Compared to the hushed corridors we were just walking through, what greets us in the room is the biggest ray of light and energy.
Dressed in the classic Jean Paul Galutier sailor stripped shirt, our interview begins with a flurry of warm pleasantries and his partner threatening us not to steal the chocolates whilst he’s away. From the origin of the Fashion Freak Show to his thoughts of the current state of fashion, Jean Paul is truly unafraid to be unapologetically himself.
Why name the musical the ‘Fashion Freak Show’?
JPG: Throughout my entire life, I have been deeply involved in the world of fashion as a designer. I have always seen fashion as a form of self-expression, and everyone, in their own way, possesses a unique and beautiful essence that sets them apart. We are all beautiful freaks, each with our own individuality. For me, fashion is not just about creating garments; it is about putting on a show. Whether it’s a fashion show, a musical performance, or a dance routine, I have always been captivated by the art of showcasing ideas and emotions. Overall, my journey in the fashion industry has been driven by a passion for showcasing the extraordinary, embracing the unconventional, and blurring the lines between fashion and performance.
With the Fashion Freak Show almost being like a biography, why did you choose the medium of musical as compared to a book for instance?
This story is from the August 2023 edition of Harper's Bazaar Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2023 edition of Harper's Bazaar Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JUST FOR HUE
Bar Trigona is set to delight with its chromatic themed cocktail concoctions.
CLASSIC , WITH A TWIST
Maddy Barber shares the importance of stories in both interior and jewellery design, finding delightful surprises when you least expect them.
ALIA BASTAMAM & KEL WEN OF BEHATI
Alia Bastamam, the queen of elegant womenswear, and Kel Wen of Behati, the disruptor of cultures.
KIT WOO & MASYADI MANSOOR OF MYSD
I entered Masyadi Mansoor’s showroom for the first time and was met with his welcoming smile.
Designer DIALOGUES
We tasked six Malavsi sian designers to Interview each other, on vanything they’ ve ever wanted to know about their peers.
Mark's Solo ADVENTURE
The epitome of modern masculinity, K-pop star Mark Tuan takes us through his personal evolution, his solo career and finding confidence with the perfect scent.
OUR PRIDE AND JOY
Emblematic of modern Malaysian beauty, models Gwen Lu and Suganya share their journeys of finding success and longevity in the modelling circuit. a
The Art Of WEAVING
Indulge in a dazzling voyage through traditional arts with Habib's new trove of jewellery this Raya.
A Story OF HAIR
As a child Gabriel Llano (Oviedo, 1987) did not play with Barbies, instead, he combed their hair.
I think THIS WILL FIX ME
Wellness is everywhere. Melissa Broder questions just how well we need to be.
