Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir ... ?

In Paris and in Gaultier? Surely!



The collection is XXXXX, "completely X rated" according to the master. It is all extremely sexy and alluring with graphic dark cuts, fishnets, see-through, fur, velvet and masquerade masks.

It is all about strength and playing with textures and naked flesh.

Of course it's Paris and the setting only makes it glamorous. But I think it s incredible the way in which Gaultier sets the mood and the atmosphere, but also how the skin is used with the clothes.

The body is looked at, used and adorned, but there is a dynamic of used and being used by the clothes.

Now I wish i was a pleasure girl if I can wear that.

Vampires in Oxford Street: Goths are about to enter Mainstream Fashion

Vivienne Westwood did it to Punk in 1981 and now it's about to happen to Goth. So, if you are a true member of the underground subculture be warned: your style is about to be revisited by the mainstream.

Everything is going black: from soft lace to lips and sequin. What is amazing with the Romantic Gothic style is the play with textures. Givenchy teams up chiffon and PVC to amazing results.

But why this craze for niche subculture looks?

Bringing dark worlds into fashion is a trademark of British designing. Vivienne Westwood was a pioneer of infusing controversy into the mainstream, but many like Jean Paul Gaultier and Jonathan Saunders followed the lead.

Provocative styles are sexy and young.

The soft-Goth look of this season has certainly been glamorised: it's all about a sleek and soft contrast of materials, feminine details and figure flattering cuts.

But, if Punk caused outrage back in the 80s, subcultures aren't as controversial anymore. The Goth black lips and heavy makeup didn't shock the catwalks. It amazed.

In a sense, it shows a wider fashion acceptance and the death of traditional day wear: anything goes nowadays, especially in London. But it might also mean the death of the subculture.

Horror dance shows

Anyone fancy wearing nylon tights to cover your face?

Designers don't seem to be very hot for traditional catwalks this season with a monster show from Maison Martin Margiela (who likes to hide his models like he hides from the public); and today Jean Paul Gaultier has a frenzy dance show followed by feather boas and dramatic bodysuits.

The clothes are striking and picturesque, slightly disturbing but what is most innovative - following the likes of Viktor and Rolf - is the introduction of performance onto the Paris catwalk.

It's nice to see the mood is for challenge, even if ready to wear is not so readily wearable anymore. If it ever was.