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?
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