Jean Paul Gaultier – Fashion Freak Show

In the organizer's words:

Eccentric, scandalous, provocative, exuberant and, as always, with a large dose of humor. Jean Paul Gaultier's breathtaking "Fashion Freak Show", which represents the quintessence of 50 years of fashion, underground and pop culture through the eyes of the 'enfant terrible of fashion', is now returning to Germany after this year's immense success in Munich and will make a guest appearance at the LANXESS arena in Cologne from 17 to 20 July 2024.

The production, an explosive and ingenious mix of revue and fashion show, takes the audience through the incredibly turbulent, sensational life of Jean Paul Gaultier, touching on the most significant political and cultural changes of his generation. The show features a veritable armada of legendary hits - from disco to funk, from pop to rock, from new wave to punk - the explosive, energetic soundtrack represents the sound of the artists who inspired the designer throughout his life.

The "Fashion Freak Show" celebrated its premiere in the French capital Paris at the renowned Folies Bergère in 2019. Jean Paul Gaultier on the show: "I hope that the audience will enjoy the show as much as I enjoyed creating it."

In this extraordinary production, great actors are joined on stage by excellent dancers and fabulous circus artists - the range of extravagant, passionate, larger-than-life, provocative, sexy and cheeky creatures and personalities is almost overwhelming. Video statements by special guest stars can be seen on a huge video wall in the central part of the production - including some of Gaultier's longstanding, legendary companions and friends. Rossy de Palma, for example, plays the young Gaultier's unyielding teacher, who harbors secret fashion fantasies of her own, while Catherine Deneuve performs the witty names that Gaultier gave to the creations of his fabulous men's couture show in the early 1990s.

Author, director and costume designer, Jean Paul Gaultier's "Fashion Freak Show" takes an astonishing and affectionate look at our times and invites us to take an exclusive look behind the scenes of his world of excess, poetry and magic. From his childhood to the beginnings of his career, from his greatest fashion shows to the wild nights at Le Palace or in London: Jean Paul Gaultier tells of his adventures, experiences and special moments in a highly impressive and vivid way and pays tribute to the people who have inspired him throughout his life - whether in the field of film (Pedro Almodovar, Luc Besson), music (Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Myléne Farmer) or dance (Régine Chopinot, Angelin Prejlocaj).

The show, which is designed as one big, exuberant party, holds one surprise after another: Jean Paul Gaultier has designed hundreds of new, exclusive outfits set in a sumptuous, seemingly exuberant backdrop and, of course, has not forgotten to add his most legendary and famous creations! He was assisted by only the best in their field: actress, screenwriter and director Tonie Marshall, who directed the show, and choreographer Marion Motin (Madonna, Christine and the Queens, Stromae, "Resiste The Musical").

The "Fashion Freak Show" is produced in collaboration with TS3 (A Fimalac Entertainment Company), RGM Productions and Avex Entertainment and organized by Semmel Concerts.