Jean Paul Gaultier Invites Art Into Fragrance with New Exhibition at NYC LGBT Community Center
PetitePaulina – Jean Paul Gaultier is blending art, scent, and LGBTQ+ culture in an unexpected and immersive way. In partnership with New York’s LGBT Community Center, the fashion house has launched a bold two-day exhibition titled “Et Gaultier Créa L’Homme: Le Male — Past, Present, Future.” This artistic experience brings together fragrance, fashion, and identity in a powerful tribute to Gaultier’s legacy.
A Scented Striptease to Begin
To begin with, the exhibition opens with what the brand describes as an “olfactory striptease.” This dramatic entrance introduces the iconic Le Male fragrance through a sensual unveiling, designed to evoke both curiosity and emotion. As the scent diffuses through the air, visitors are drawn into an experience that is as theatrical as it is fragrant.
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Exploring the Notes Through Art and Fashion
Subsequently, the exhibit unfolds across three zones that mimic the composition of a fragrance—top, heart, and base notes. Each stage is carefully curated to blend fashion with contemporary art. For instance, bustiers, sailor vests, lace, and unisex skirts reflect Gaultier’s fearless fashion DNA.
Moreover, the artistic side is amplified by works from renowned creatives such as:
- Pepo Moreno
- Hugo Gyrl
- Matías Alvial
- Elliott Jerome Brown Jr.
- Hunter Abrams
- Sam Lee
In addition, these installations are not only visually compelling but also thematically aligned with the values of freedom, identity, and sensuality that Le Male has always embodied.
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A Celebration of Legacy and Inclusivity
Furthermore, Frédéric Appaire, Gaultier’s vice president of fragrances, emphasizes the intention behind the project:
“We’re reviving Gaultier’s original values for a new generation. This exhibition is not just an immersive experience—it’s a bridge between heritage and modernity.”
Importantly, this initiative continues Jean Paul Gaultier’s five-year support of The Center, a critical space that has provided resources and advocacy since the 1980s. Notably, the brand was honored with the Corporate Impact Award in 2024.
Why This Collaboration Matters
Ultimately, by hosting the exhibition in a space deeply rooted in LGBTQ+ history, Gaultier strengthens its connection to community and authenticity. At the same time, it introduces a new generation to the designer’s values through an innovative and engaging format.
Appaire notes, “We wanted to connect through experience—not just push products. And nothing encapsulates Gaultier’s creative spirit more than the synergy between scent, art, and freedom.”
In conclusion, this exhibition does more than celebrate a fragrance. It reaffirms Jean Paul Gaultier’s place at the intersection of culture, art, and identity.
