Jean Paul Gaultier On Designing Feather Collars For Dwarves

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• [Photos: JC Carbonne]
• Are you a great ballet fan? What about the art form inspires you most in your own work in fashion? I am a big fan of modern dance. Movement is very important for me and for my work. I don’t like to see clothes on a hanger—I love to see
• What was your overall vision for the costumes? Angelin [Preljocaj, choreographer and artistic director of the Ballet Preljocaj] explained to me his vision of Snow White, and that was the starting point for me. We all have an id
• Which is the most elaborate costume in Snow White? Depends what you think is elaborate—although Snow White looks simple it was not an easy costume to do. The seven dwarfs/monks have feather collars. There is a lot of work on all
• Which character was easiest to design for? In other words, which character inspired you most? The wicked queen by all means. The prince was also quite easy. I saw him immediately as a kind of a prince/toreador.
• Has a fairy tale ever inspired a runway collection for you? Yes, I once did a “Little Mermaid” show. Mermaids and sailors are a constant inspiration for me.

This weekend, you can see witches, princes, and apple-eating damsels dressed in Jean Paul Gaultier. From May 2 to 4, The Harris Theater presents the French Ballet Preljocaj's Snow White, with costumes from the world-famous designer himself.

As the wicked queen and company stretch out for their big performance, we spoke with the designer via email. Read what he had to say about dance, mermaids, and sailors, and score your Snow White tickets here.

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