Asian J Beauty Cosmetol. 2012; 10(3): 587-595.
A Study on the Post-modernism Characteristics of the Perfumes ‘Le Classique’ and ‘Le Mâle’ of Jean Paul Gaultier
ABSTRACT
Perfume, which is a completion of the fashion, has expressed designer’s soul. Fashion designer Jean Paul
Gaultier called the ‘Enfant Térrible’ of fashion industry, is leading the fashion world by his own unique and
boundless artistic works. Jean Paul Gaultier’s works are equivalent to having insight of the Post-modernism
since the characteristics of Gaultier fashion can be explained as antiform, combination of differences and
sexuality with humorous ambiance. This study is aimed at investigating how his Post-modernism is shown in
his perfumes, understanding his artistic philosophy. This study is based on Gaultier’s perfumes: ‘Le Classque’,
‘Le Mâle’ and their flankers. This analysis focuses on Frangrance, Package/Naming and Advertisement which
are three significant elements of the perfume. The followings are the results of this analysis. The fragrance is
based on oriental family which connotes sexuality, and is harmonized with classical and modern fragrances.
And ‘Fleur du Mâle’ for men is on the boundary of men and women fragrance which comes from considerable
amount of material: the Orange Blossom. Jean Paul Gaultier used the torso of human being as bottle of his
perfumes and the bottle of ‘Le Classique’ wears underwear like outer garments. Bottles of perfume for men
often get tatoo, use a razor as necklace and are naked with soft white color. These are understood as the
Post-modernism. The advertisements contained expression methods such as parody, feminism, sexuality and
combination of differences and denied public agreement and tradition in unusual way such as presenting two
versions for gay and straight in 2009. Jean Paul Gaultier has incorporated his own Post-modernism philosophy
into his perfumes.
Keywords :
Jean Paul Gaultier, Perfume, Post-modernism, Sexuality, Antiform