November 18, 2024 |
Ever wanted to get your hands a bit of Jean Paul Gaultier couture – that otherworldly fashion gold dust? Well, now you can, thanks to Paris-based auction house Maurice Auction. It’s here that on Monday, November 25 at 6pm, you’ll find the selling of The Mouna Ayoub Collection – an array of JPG haute couture garments from the Lebanese socialite and influential patron of archive fashion – at 84 Rue de Turenne, Paris 75003.
Under the title Jean Paul Gaultier: The Haute Couture Years, 41 fabulous couture pieces from the personal collection of Madame Ayoub are up for grabs, with designs centring around Gaultier’s signature themes. Think marinière stripes and other nautical accents, pieces that exude 1920s Paris and cabaret flair, kitschy elements, gender fluidity and the elegance of 18th-century dress. Ayoub says, “I’m captivated by Jean Paul Gaultier because of his incredible talent and unique vision – there’s simply no one like him. His gowns are exquisite yet wearable, his suits embody elegance and quality, and his inspirations are remarkably diverse, drawing from art, cinema, music and his deep love for Paris.”
For Ayoub, key pieces include: “Lot 2, the Scottish-inspired ensemble from the autumn/winter 1998-1999 Parisian Elegance collection and Lot 4, a stunning macramé evening gown in fine silk and leather from the spring/summer 1999 Cordoue Divine Jacqueline collection. And of course, Lot 25 – a soutache-embroidered organza trouser suit from the spring/summer 2011 Bastringue Punk Cancan collection, which is said to have taken over three kilometres of thread to complete.” Everything is largely unworn and remarkably preserved to a museum-worthy standard.
The reason why Ayoub is auctioning off her personal collection is simple: “There are three main reasons: firstly, I no longer fit into many of the pieces; secondly, I’m out of space; and lastly, I’ve worn most of the long gowns on the red carpet, so they can’t really be worn a second time,” she says.
The collection will be up for free public viewing this weekend, Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24 ahead of the official auction. Discover more here.
Photography by George Mavrikos.
