Gaultier: "Russian Ballet" Couture....

Jean Paul Gaultier held his autumn/winter  haute couture show yesterday. The collection was inspired by Russian ballet. You can really see that influence displayed in the Fair Isle knits, tweet jackets, and fur details. Cathy Horyn of the New York Times said, "this collection, while heavy in spots, really alluded to the personal style of that worldly brigade."

Not to take the standard approach on the theme, Gaultier incorporated various kinds of feathers into the collection. From coq feathers to ostrich plumes, Gaultier was liberal with his use of pheasant trims on dresses, skirts, and headwear.

The International Herald Tribune's Suzy Menkes felt that he "expressed the new spirit of couture, which is based on fabulous workmanship — yet with some discretion." And for the first time Gaultier introduced haute couture menswear.