“There’s This Very Audacious Thing About Him”—A Conversation Between Jean Paul Gaultier and His New Guest Designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin

Ludovic de Saint Sernin will be the eighth guest designer for Jean Paul Gaultier. He is also the youngest. At the time he was born, in 1990, fashion’s original enfant terrible, then around 38-years-old, had presented his luscious “Adam and Eve, Rastas Aujourd’hui” (Rastas today) collection, which featured giddy male and female models walking as couples; the likes of Helena Christensen and Rossy de Palma in colorful suits, floral corsetry and dance club ensembles. True to form, there was humor, performance and innuendo on a level we rarely see today.

Yet de Saint Sernin, who launched his label in 2017 and took the reins of Ann Demeulemeester for one season last year, designs from a provocative perch and his liberated ideas of gender and sexuality result in clothes that are sometimes minimalist, sometimes glam, often body-bearing. It takes no stretch of the imagination to see him exploring any number of Gaultier’s iconic creations.

On the metaphoric heels of Nicolas Di Felice (Julien Dossena and Simone Rocha among other recent alums), de Saint Sernin will be the first guest designer to show men’s looks. This will also be his first foray into Haute Couture, and even though the Spring show is not until January, such immense preparation helps explain why he is skipping the runway this week.

Speaking exclusively with Vogue from Jean Paul Gaultier HQ, the designers embraced their generational divide, exuding a kind of ease that suggested they are like-minded—whether looking back or looking ahead.

Jean Paul, how did you discover Ludovic’s work?

I only knew his work, not him personally. I am always interested in what new designers are doing. I remember that I was very surprised when I saw one of his first collections because there was this very audacious thing about what he was doing with men. And I love that he makes this kind of provocation, but at the same time it’s interesting and nice and beautiful. So that’s when I said, ‘this one will be good.’

And Ludovic, how does it feel to know that you were on Monsieur Gaultier’s radar?

I mean, it’s incredible. I think the first time we met in person was backstage at a Dua Lipa concert. We were just these two girls enjoying an amazing gig. I told him how much I admire him, and it was just an amazing connection right away. I think my favorite thing in fashion is when you grow up referencing and being inspired by an icon and then one day you meet them—and then you work together! It’s the most incredible feeling to know that we’re doing this and that I have his blessing.