JEAN PAUL GAULTIER AND LA PERLA:

AN EXCLUSIVE «DESIGNER COLLECTION» OF LINGERIE FOR FALL 2010

It is with great pleasure that they are announcing a special agreement between the designer Jean Paul Gaultier and La Perla for the launch of an exclusive « Designer Collection » of lingerie. This collaboration unites the absolute femininity of La Perla and its unmistakable DNA and couture seduction and the distinct creative approach of Jean Paul Gaultier.

The collection combines the two ingrained couture approaches: the « soutache » which is one of the great La Perla classics, a sophisticated technique for creating motifs in silk braid on tulle and the star-shaped backstitches on satin for garments that delineate those silhouettes so dear to the designer. Each model is a celebration of the female body: from the waist cincher corset to the slip that follows the curves of the body, from the extra-high briefs that hug the hips to the bustier which highlights the neckline. There are also the bras and a body with the famous pointed cups recalling the costumes created by Gaultier for Madonna’s 1990 Blond Ambition tour. Black and powder pink, two cult lingerie colours take precedence, but there are also accents of coral and bleu canard.

Leading the way, two special limited edition garments will be presented on 7th of July in Paris during the Jean Paul Gaultier Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 Haute Couture show: a backstitch satin bra with a shoulder-strap motif and glove-holding strings and a suspender belt with « protege fesses » strategically stitched to round off the silhouette in an irresistible way.

Commenting on the collaboration, Jean Paul Gaultier said : « Lingerie is part of my DNA and of my heritage. It is now almost thirty years since I have designed my first corset dress, and in my latest prêt-à-porter collection I revisited the conical bras and corsets worn as outerwear. This alliance was a natural and logical step especially since La Perla is the pearl of the lingerie, with a long history and the best savoir faire. »

Talking about this project, Alain Prost, La Perla’s C.E.O., said that « cooperating with Jean Paul Gaultier filled them with satisfaction from the very start. A perfect synergy immediately came to light between his vision and the values of luxury and elegance that have always been cornerstones in La Perla’s history. I believe that they will be even more satisfied once the collection is available on the international market, as it is an explosive concentrate of luxury and femininity that is highly desirable. All this is the result of a strategic link between two of the most important countries in the fashion and luxury field, France and Italy. The designer Jean Paul Gaultier, an outstanding point of reference in Couture and La Perla, representing the excellence in lingerie worldwide. »

The creations of this capsule collection, the result of collaboration between Jean Paul Gaultier and La Perla will go on sale in November 2010 in La Perla boutiques around the world, in exclusive international department stores, in Jean Paul Gaultier boutiques and in a number of highly-selected fashion stores.