So I saw everyone buzzing about Jean Paul Gaultier’s new creative director duties yesterday morning. Grabbed my laptop right after breakfast thinking “huh, gotta figure out what’s changing.” Started clicking through fashion news sites like a maniac – Vogue, WWD, all those places.
First Thing First
Noticed nobody actually explained how creative director jobs work these days. Like, what’s different now versus 20 years back? Dug up old interviews with Gaultier himself from the 90s. Found him saying stuff like “I sketch everything by hand in my pajamas” – wild compared to now.
Deep Dive Time
Spent hours comparing then vs now:
- Called my buddy who works at Balenciaga – he laughed saying “Now we get 300 Slack messages before lunch just about color swatches.”
- Pulled up Gaultier’s 1994 runway videos on YouTube. Slow catwalk, small crowd, zero social media tags.
- Then watched new creative director clips. Front row phone lights flashing like a rave, model close-ups instantly on TikTok.
Had this “aha” moment realizing creative directors ain’t just designing clothes anymore. They’re like circus ringmasters juggling supply chains, Instagram drama, and sustainability reports. Made messy notes on three coffee-stained papers about it.
Putting Pieces Together
Remembered my aunt’s vintage Gaultier corset from 2001. Dusted it off and laid it next to modern runway screenshots. The new stuff’s got bolder shapes but simpler stitching – cheaper fabrics too, if we’re being real. My aunt would’ve called it “* couture” but hey, that’s fast fashion evolution for you.
Around dinner time, slapped my notes into bullet points:
- 1990s directors = solo artists
- 2020s directors = tech-savvy hype machines
- Biggest shift? Speed over detail. More content, less craft.
Felt kinda sad ngl. Finished typing while chewing cold pizza. Evolution’s necessary but damn, wish we kept some old-school magic.