Julien Dossena To Design Haute Couture
The most recent haute couture fashion week feels like all but a moment ago, yet all eyes are on the following week in Paris showcasing the creme de la creme of fashion design. One of the most anticipated shows each week has become Jean Paul Gaultier created by a different guest designer each season. In January Haider Ackermann took charge, meanwhile, Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing produced a superb display and “open letter to Jean Paul” in July 2022.
Julien Dossena
Ward Ivan Rafik
Today the latest guest has been announced as Paco Rabanne’s Julien Dossena. Taking to the helm at Rabanne back in 2013, Dossena has proven himself adept at marrying a heritage brand’s core identity with a modern sensibility. Dossena’s most recent collection at the 57-year-old fashion house was a particular sensation, held less than a month after the passing of the brand's founder and namesake. Utilizing Rabanne’s iconic metallic motifs, Dossena is a designer who knows how to reference the past with sincerity and adoration. It’s no wonder therefore that Dossena has described having access to the Jean Paul Gaultier archives as “A succession of wows, constant astonishment”.
Paco Rabanne FW23
Alessandro Lucioni
Paco Rabanne FW23
Alessandro Lucioni
As far as what can be expected from the upcoming collection, one will have to wait and see. However, in an interview with WWD, Dossena cited one specific decade with which he has developed a fascination. The 1990s.
“Julien has a particular sense of reinterpretation, and I’m curious to see how he will play with my codes,” Gaultier told WWD. “Paco Rabanne’s heritage is extremely rich, and Julien knows how to make this strength resonate in his collections.”
