Jean Paul Gaultier, famous French fashion designer, will once again be part of the Eurovision Song Contest, not as a commentator for France but as the fashion designer of the female host of this year’s contest, Petra Mede.

Jean Paul Gaultier is no stranger to the contest as he has designed several dresses for different contestants in the past. His first dress was for French candidate Amina in 1991 who finished in a  second place after a countback, although she scored the same amount of points as the eventual winner Carola. Dana International in 1998 put on her Jean Paul Gaultier dress to receive her trophy and for her winning performance. She could not wear his dress in her first performance because of technical issues. Finally, last year, Anggun who represented France in Baku, wore one of his dresses too.

Christer Björkman, the producer of this year’s Eurovision song contest, reveals the story behind this collaboration. He says, The initiative came from the Architecture Museum, which will have an exhibition of Jean-Paul Gaultier in June. They contacted us and asked if it was possible to collaborate, and as we were of course very happy.  Jean-Paul Gaultier invited us to a creative process where we juggled different ideas from different dresses. He was incredibly open to our input, and for what Petra thought and felt comfortable in, when he created his creations, he concludes.

The dress is currently being created in Jean Paul Gaultier’s atelier in Paris.

Jean Paul Gaultier shot to fame internationally by designing clothes for world superstar Madonna in her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour.

 

Dana International, Diva, Winner Performance – Israel 1998

Amina, C’est le dernier qui a parlé qui a raison, France 1991

Anggun, Echo (You & I), France 2012

Madonna, Express yourself, 1990 Blond Ambition Tour