Kylie Jenner was spotted at the Jean Paul Gaultier spring 2023 couture show in Paris on Wednesday, Jan. 25, wearing a corseted look that feels so iconic of the nearly 50-year-old fashion house. Posing ahead of the show, she wore a dress that boasted a blue and pink satin corset top, a delicate front cutout, and a long black skirted bottom that fit slim without feeling tight.
Jenner’s outfit choice seems apt, as Gaultier is responsible for some iconic corsets over the past few decades. Madonna‘s “Like a Virgin” cone bra is arguably the fashion house’s most recognizable design. But there’s also Dita Von Teese‘s butterfly corset of 2019 and the coordinated corsets of the cast of 1997’s “The Fifth Element.” And that doesn’t even begin to touch on the countless boned structures presented on his namesake runway throughout his career.
While Haider Ackermann designed the current couture collection (the fourth guest couturier to design since Gaultier stepped away from the brand), Gaultier’s tailored vision still showed. The collection stayed true to all the well-known Jean Paul Gaultier house codes, but it felt decidedly less whimsical and more understated. Ackermann addressed that shift, telling Vogue: “I don’t have a sense of humor at all! I have my gravity, and [Gaultier] has his generosity and joy — we are two worlds apart. But at the same time, we have many things in common.”
The meeting point, according to Ackermann, was found via tailoring. “People forget how immaculate [Gaultier’s] tailoring was. His work was magical.” To that end, Ackermann sent colorful bustier tops, high-waisted paper-bag pants, slim black suits, and sculptural gowns down the runway. But there was still a nod to whimsy, with a bustier top that looked as though a golden 3D flower were sprouting from the model’s chest, a pale-purple jogging set embellished all over with silver fringe, and a maxi pencil skirt that was covered with spiky feathers.
Aside from the Jean Paul Gaultier show, Jenner has certainly been turning heads during this Couture Fashion Week, most recently wearing an imitation lion’s head as part of her Schiaparelli gown. She also wore a cone bra crafted of latex to Maison Margiela’s show, designed by Creative Director John Galliano.
Ahead, see Jenner’s latest structured corset look from all angles, and keep reading for select designs from the Jean Paul Gaultier spring 2023 couture runway.
