French fashion house Jean Paul Gaultier has embarked on a collaboration with London-based label Knwls, resulting in a new capsule collection. This collection draws inspiration from the nostalgic design elements cherished by both brands, incorporating striking prints, hand-stenciled trompe l’oeil tattoo motifs, and artful scratched wood patterns.
Jean Paul Gaultier’s iconic corsetry makes a prominent appearance in this collection, visible in the contours of tailored suit jackets and figure-hugging mini-dresses. These designs are further accentuated by off-shoulder sailor collars and finely crafted knitted separates. Knwls’ distinctive aged leather finds its echo in the collection, with shearling jackets, a leather bomber, and a corset harness.
Florence Tétier, the creative director of Jean Paul Gaultier, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating her long admiration for Knwls’ work. Tétier further explains how their worlds are closely intertwined with the legacy of Jean Paul Gaultier, making it a natural choice to create a collection inspired by both brands’ unique visions of the female form.
One standout piece in this collection is the intricate corset costume known as La pièce de résistance. It features screen-printed leather and hand-crocheted paneling, a labour-intensive creation that took the team nearly a year to complete.
