14 DAY TRIAL // As various industry publications point out, Amy Winehouse will forever be remembered for two things: her music and her style. It was the latter that Jean Paul Gaultier honored at Paris Fashion Week 2012, with his new collection.
Of course, you might argue that Winehouse will also be remembered for her sustained and highly mediated struggle with addiction, but there's nothing to celebrate about that.
With his Spring / Summer 2012 couture collection, the iconic designer chose to have us remember an Amy that was stylish, retro-looking, a tad sophisticated but, at the same time, comfortable.
As such, the items included in his collection had lots of polka dots, see-through fabrics and scarves – all mixed and matched with Gaultier's love for architectural elements like the layered hip pads on dresses and the cone-like stiff bra cups on corsets.
There were classic tops, pencil skirts and eccentric evening gowns, but also retro-looking summer dresses with lots of tulle and girlie elements.
Photos here.
As expected, models (including the androgynous male model Andrej Pejic) all rocked beehives, a mole on the upper lip and winged eyeliner.
Some puffed on cigarettes, while other sneered to the audience, like Amy used to do to paparazzi when she really didn't feel like having her picture taken.
The Telegraph notes that such a collection might not be a total hit because of the customer it's targeted to, but visually at least, it was a hit.
“Yesterday in Paris, Amy's memory was toasted in the most fashionable way imaginable, as the muse for Jean Paul Gaultier's spring/summer 2012 couture collection,” the publication says.
“Gaultier sent a procession of beehive clad models teetering down the catwalk complete with heavy black winged eyeliner and Amy's trademark beauty spot above their lips,” adds The Telegraph.
“Whether couture customers, who spend tens of thousands on each outfit, want to be seen in high society dressed like the tragic star was kind of a moot point. As a spectacle and a tribute, Gaultier did Amy proud,” adds the same media outlet.