Paris Fashion Week: Bloodied Boxers and Chris Brown at Gaultier

The new fall 2010 men's collections are somewhat obsessed with death and violence. On Tuesday Dsquared2 sent bloodied models down their runway in Milan. The Paris collections debuted Thursday and Jean Paul Gaultier presented his usual over-the-top homoeroticism with a similar theme: Bloodied  macho models marching into a boxing ring.

AFP captures the swagger and the gore: "A bunch of well-built male models—not the androgynous adolescent types often on catwalks—trotted out a darkly coloured collection to a packed house. Sporting fake cuts, bloodied bruises, and 48-hour stubble, muscle-bound models strode in large bermudas, tight pants and even a couple of Gaultier's trademark skirts to the sound of punches and the songs of Edith Piaf." 

Prominent in the front row center: "Chris Brown also known for bruising Rihanna, flew in from the Milan men's fashion shows for Gaultier's boxing-inspired collection, telling AFP: 'I really wanted to see this one.' " 

Gaultier and Brown posed for a number of photos. One in particular is raising a few eyebrows. That and more from the show WHEN YOU JUMP ...

A few more photos from the show ...

 

 

 

It's an interesting albeit not very original collection. D&G presented a similar theme several seasons ago and iirc Gaultier did something similar in 90s around the same time he costumed The Fifth Element. Gaulttier, as always, gets points for booking a diverse cast and handsome, rugged models. It's too bad they had to subjected to this makeup. And the Chris Brown stunt speaks for itself, no?

Comments

[Baltimore Femme]

Chris Brown photo w/ JPG is an epic FAIL

[CC]

LOL

[soulbrotha]

Chris Brown's handler must really be a damn moron to allow him within a million miles of this show.

And I am more than a little disturbed that one of the few shows that included more than 1 token Black face would choose a theme of violence. I used to like Gaultier but I think it's time for him to hang up his gloves.

[FQ]

What Soullbrotha said. I'm all for as much color as possible on the runway but hate it when they are segregated in "ethnic" themes or sports. And JPG's bloodsports runway show was easily half men of color.

Oh and no Chris Brown fanboyz here to say he has "a right" to attend fashion shows that feature bloody models? Tsk, tsk, they're slipping!

[Isaac]

Come on people, it's a fashion show. Boxing isn't something new. True, it was not smart of Chris Brown to be there considering his past, but to target Guatlier is a bit extreme. Boxing is a sport. It's not like Guatlier created a domestic violence scene. I think we all need to relax a little, and not make a mountain out of a mole hill. Theirs not always a lesson to be learned, and not everyone is trying to be offensive. Whatever happen to just being entertained. The last time I looked. A big majority of boxers are people of color. From a creative point of view I feel he used the right type of models. Would you use a Martha Steward type to recreate a hip hop inspired production. NO! You would use guys that you see most often in that environment. It has to be believable. DUH!!!

[DW Jazzlover]

Come on guys, we spend hours here talking about how violence is effecting our community! This is totally not cool!

[Gary]

More tackiness from the king of tacky.

[Faison]

@ Isaac:

I don't think anyone doubts that high fashion should be creative.
But we've seen bloodied models before, this week actually. Perhaps you didn't read in the post that DQsaured2 did the same thing this week?

http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2010/01/milan-fashion-week-nate-gill-does-fight-club-for-dsquared.html

And Vivienne Westwood sent her models with ghost looking makeup...which I'm surprised Rod didn't pick up ;)

I like Gaultier's fashion sense and his models, which usually are more muscular and darker. But it's very telling that most of the bookings will be for this type of bloodsport boxing theme.

And Dolce did this last season, without the blood and gore.

[Isis]

There is NO way he could win in this situation. He was obviously invited and at this point he can't be turning down invites, LOL! But he just can't win! If he would have refused to take the picture, he would be seen as a snob for not posing and congratulating the designer. He decided to pose and people made this into some issue. I personally am NOT offended... ITS FAKE! and its a man NOT a women that is wearing the Bloody make-up. If it were I woman I would be offended and would totally understand the outrage.

[D. Askew]

"There is NO way he could win in this situation. He was obviously invited and at this point he can't be turning down invites, LOL .. He decided to pose and people made this into some issue.""

Isis I agree...I'm hardly a Chris Brown fan but I doubt Chris knew what the show would be beforehand.JPG invited Chris Brown for some headlines and Chris had to take photos.

But I will say the whole bloody model thing is just tacky. It serves what purpose?And sorry but JPG has done boxing befor

[Young]

The fashions bother me more than the blood and bruises.

The Chris Brown photo is just a foil. Chris Brown beats up and bloodies women. He could never EVER ever take his fist to a man especially these musclebound nikkkaz. They would kick his smilin and dancin' light skin azz from one block to the next!

[D.]

chris brown was front row at all the shows in milan. he is bisexual and downlow, thats why he hates women and beat them up, thats real talk

[soulbrotha]

I think some of you are missing the point here. Boxing is about violence as sport, the key word being violence. Chris Brown supposedly (although after this I'm not so sure) is trying to save his image/career. True enough, he would not have known what the theme of the show was or how it would be presented. But to stick around to take pictures with a bloodied Gautlier is just plain stupid. And the handler's job (at least that's what I've always thought) is to recognize that stupidity and guide him away from such detrimental situations. And we're talking Gautlier here, not the Queen of England. If he knows who Chris Brown is, then I'm sure he would understand.
And it doesn't matter that it's men and not women, or that most boxers are Black. At this point, it would not benefit Brown to be saddled with violent imagery in ANY form or "fashion."

[James M]

I find it odd that Chris Brown is there supporting this at the turmoil he's recieved for beating Rihanna.

The theme is "Boxing" ..... "Boxing Rihanna"... Im surprise the media's not all up on this.

[Taylor Siluwé]

I think it's a mis-step on Chris Brown's part. Maybe not going to the show, but posing for that picture, considering, was not very smart.

But since the theme is pugilism and being a boxing fan, I'm not offended by the blood. The best fights have lots more blood and gore. So this is shock value; and it works because we're talking about it.

As for Chris, if I were handling his appearances I would've have advised him not to go.

But what's done is done. And as they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity (though this just might be the exception to that rule).

[Isis]

@ Soulbrotha

I totally get what you are saying, but its NOT that simple. If Chris had refused or even avoided taking pictures, this discussion would be about what a JERK he is for not being gracious to the designer. He would be called ungrateful and arrogant, because he should be happy someone invited his A** anywhere, LOL! There is NOTHING he could do! As long as he keeps his hands to himself I say its time to move on.

[Lang B]

I find it wild how much RAVE designers get for re-frying trends and we eat it up. If I am correct,Perry Ellis did an ad compaign with Will Lemay bruised up with an arm in a cast some years ago. I am tired of all this shock value in media.Tired of men of color celebrated in thuggish/hard ways.BORING!

Most designers do not reveal themes of the collection until you see it on the runway.

As for Chris Brown does he beat up WOMEN or was it one woman(not justifying,just asking?).I really wish that Chris Brown will rise above all this condemnation and find his way.

[Mace]

I agree...I'm hardly a Chris Brown fan but I doubt Chris knew what the show would be beforehand.JPG invited Chris Brown for some headlines and Chris had to take photos.

[nahtans]

It was a dumb move by Chris who doesnt appear to be very smart... He didnt just hit Rihanna he mauled her. Get it right!

he needs to go sit down somewhere for a little while. Some of us are soooo willing to give him a pass because he's cute...

He needs to cool it...tired of seeing his violent mug everywhere!

I agree that JPG show was a rehash ... hes been there done that ...

And it is unfortunate that black /ethnic models seem to only grace these type of runways.

[Former COGIC]

>>>As for Chris Brown does he beat up WOMEN or was it one woman.I really wish that Chris Brown will rise above all this condemnation and find his way.

He beat, PUNCHED and BIT at least one woman.. and apparently not the first time either.

And 'condmenations'? Chris Brown hasn't been 'condemned'. A couple hundred thousand people were 'condemned' in Haiti. LGBTs are condemned by many churches and attacked by gay bashers. Chris Brown was convicted of assault and sentenced to community service by a court.

A few comments on a blog really arent "condemning" him or keeping him from enjoying a superstar lifestyle or jetting off to fashions shows in Paris. If that's being condemned, I'll take it any day. But I'm sure Chris appreciates the defense and support by black gay men ... who he has never spoken out for. Never.