Gaultier arrives in Oz to launch exhibition at NGV

Internationally celebrated fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier will be arriving on Australian shores this week, and heading to the heart of Melbourne to be precise, to host the opening night of an exhibition of his designs at the National Gallery of Victoria.

As if that weren’t enough to have fashionistas in a flux, JPG has also agreed to appear as a guest judge on Foxtel’s flagship reality series, Australia’s Next Top Model, in episodes that will go to air early next year.

Treasured designs from Gaultier’s own archives will feature in the episodes, especially flown in from his atelier in Paris, while his prêt-a-porter collections will be modelled by contestants.

Says Jean Paul: “I am really looking forward to meeting the girls and seeing how they respond to modelling my designs. It’s important to me that they bring their own personality to the garments.”

He added: “I’ve worked with so many incredibly beautiful and talented Australian women throughout my career, and I hope we can find the next big Aussie superstar on Australia’s Next Top Model.”

As for the exhibition which launches this Thursday night, visitors to the NGV will be treated to view outfits previously worn by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Gemma Ward, Dita von Teese and a bevvy of other beauties.  Antonino Tati