Duran Lantink's highly anticipated inaugural collection for Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring/Summer 2026, aptly named \"Junior,\" revitalizes the fashion house's iconic 1980s club line. This collection seamlessly blends Gaultier's timeless signatures, such as the Marinière stripe and tattoo-on-mesh designs, with avant-garde, transformative volumes and captivating optical illusions. Drawing profound inspiration from Amsterdam's legendary RoXY club and the evocative poetry of John Giorno, the collection champions fashion as an ultimate expression of freedom and introduces a dynamic new creative direction for the brand.
Duran Lantink has unveiled his highly anticipated debut collection for Jean Paul Gaultier's Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2026, titled \"Junior.\" This name serves as a direct homage to the beloved 1988–1994 Gaultier line, known for its raw, club-inspired energy and its celebration of fashion as an unbridled expression of freedom. The collection marks a significant moment, injecting new vitality into the brand's ready-to-wear offerings while honoring its rich heritage.
Lantink’s approach to the collection is rooted in a profound understanding of Gaultier’s enduring legacy: a blend of playfulness, vibrant energy, and a sense of urgency. He employs his distinctive “Duranification” method, which involves reinterpreting and reimagining archival concepts. For instance, classic elements such as the Marinière stripe are transformed into visually disorienting optical illusions. The iconic tattoo-on-mesh fabric is dramatically expanded and sculpted into striking 3D forms, showcasing an innovative take on familiar motifs. This collection also delves into \"dysmorphic play,\" featuring exaggerated, ephemeral volumes and anatomical trompe l'oeil prints. These designs are all rendered within a signature Gaultier color palette, including rich burgundy, vibrant mustard, and serene sky blue, creating a cohesive yet daring aesthetic.
The designer openly acknowledges the legendary Amsterdam RoXY club as a primary wellspring of inspiration. This club, renowned for its anarchic and hedonistic atmosphere, significantly influenced an era characterized by a carefree approach to style. Adding another layer of depth to the presentation, the show featured a contemplative soundtrack composed of hypnotic recordings by the late American poet and activist John Giorno, enhancing the collection's artistic and conceptual foundations.
Staged within the atmospheric basement of the Musée du Quai Branly, the “Junior” collection not only serves as a vibrant revival of Gaultier’s ready-to-wear but also as a bold extension of Lantink’s distinctive, volume-driven aesthetic. The collection received a personal endorsement from Jean Paul Gaultier himself, who offered his congratulations to Lantink post-show, a moment captured and shared by StyleNotCom. The collection was lauded for its audaciousness, harmoniously blending Lantink’s unique vision with Gaultier’s historical embrace of daring themes, thereby breathing fresh life into the esteemed fashion house.