Supreme has unveiled their latest Spring/Summer 2019 collaboration, and although the brand has partnered with high-end designers in the past, this time they teamed up with one of the most iconic names in modern fashion—French couturier and street style originator Jean Paul Gaultier.
The fashion trailblazer earned a reputation as the "enfant terrible" in the '80s for his use of unconventional materials and provocative references to sex and politics. The namesake designer channeled his esteemed reputation as a tailor and innovator in his Supreme collaboration by integrating cultural messaging, sleek silhouettes, and contrasting materials into the collection.
In terms of the Supreme/Gaultier pairing, their reputations in the fashion world do sit on common ground, as both are known for being sexy, exuberant, and referential. Jean Paul has rolled back his contributions to mainstream fashion in recent years after announcing that he would be focusing primarily on his couture collections and brand collaborations rather than seasonal ready-to-wear. Despite scaling back his prolific sensibilities, Gaultier's reputation is one that will continue to influence the world of fashion for generations to come.
Throughout his career he has defiantly signaled that he doesn't waste time being concerned over who his designs have offended. In addition to conceiving the iconic cone bra, Gaultier has cemented his legendary status through decades of jaw-dropping runway shows—such as his Spring/Summer 1992 exhibition in which Madonna transcended down the runway with her breasts on display, long before it was commonplace for designers to showcase nudity. They also collaborated on custom pieces for her Blond Ambition world tour in 1990
Supreme and Gaultier tapped Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon for the campaign.
Gaultier integrated his signature religious, political, and sexual inspirations into the 17-piece Supreme collection.
The range of garments include a double breasted blazer, cargo suit pant, cargo suit jackets, faux fur coat, plaid pants emblazoned with the text "Fuck Racism," and more. The collection will be available online and in select New York, Los Angeles, Paris and London locations starting April 11. Supreme stores in Japan will unveil the collaboration on April 13.
