Jean Paul Gaultier fetes 80s icons at Paris Fashion Week

Jean-Paul Gaultier feted the pop and style icons of the 1980s yesterday at Paris Fashion Week with a joyful collection for Spring/Summer 2013.

From Madonna to Michael Jackson, Grace Jones to Sade - he said that they have influenced "his fashion". "Just because there's an economic crisis, doesn't mean we all have to act all miserable, and show depressing clothes," the designer joked with reporters after the show. "Why should it all be about minimalism? There's room for joy as well."

"Grace Jones" in a tuxedo reworked Gaultier style as a sleeveless pantsuit."In the 80s there were all these crazy looks, whereas nowadays it's all about copying what others are doing, like kind of clones," Gaultier said.

"Madonna was the post-feminist, what came after the bra-burning years. She said 'Yes, I am going to dress sexy, but I am the one deciding to do it'." "Boy George with his totally ambiguous look and songs like 'Do You Really Want to Hurt Me', was also making a statement."

"They all had a look, but also an aesthetic that made people sit up and react." AFP

Photos: EPA/BGNES