Fashion Freak Show, the captivating entertainment show depicting the life of world-famous fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier with a mix of fashion, music and dance, returns to Japan and will be held at the TOKYU THEATRE Orb in Tokyo from 12-28 September; NEWS‘ Masuda Takahisa, model Mori Hikari and actress Manda Hisako have been appointed as ambassadors!
The event is a theatrical production that traces Gaultier‘s journey to becoming a top designer, and since its premiere in Paris in 2018, it has toured the world, including London, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Spain and Australia. The performer himself visited Japan for the Japanese premiere in 2023, and the magnificent costumes and energetic direction attracted much attention.
More than 200 couture pieces used at Paris Fashion Week were displayed on stage. The music includes classic songs such as “Le Freak” by Nile Rodgers, and the choreography is by Marion Motin, a French choreographer who has worked on dances for other major artists such as Madonna and Christine and the Queens. Along with an incredible variety of dance genres, “contemporary fashion” 生きたファッション will colour the stage.
Based on Gaultier‘s beliefs that “fashion is freedom” and “everyone is beautiful and rare (freaks)”, the show is a powerful performance that delves into themes such as gender, norms and the transience of life, and will return with new costumes and an updated production.
Masuda, who has been appointed as an ambassador, has been deeply involved in fashion, including producing costumes for NEWS concerts and publishing his own Styling log book. Mori has worked internationally as a model and promoted sustainable fashion, while Manda has the support of people of all generations for her unique way of life, and all three will convey the appeal of this performance from their own perspective.
There will also be an exclusive premiere event to celebrate the opening on 12 September. In addition, there will be “Recommended Dress Up Nights” on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as VIP-only photo shoots and behind-the-scenes tours on selected dates. Tickets will go on sale on a first-come, first-served basis from 10am on 29 April. Details will be posted on the official website.
■ Ambassador’s comment
▼ Masuda Takahisa
I remember when I was young, I went to a shop in Ginza with my heart pounding to buy a Gaultier biker jacket. This time I was allowed to borrow a costume from the stage and had my picture taken! It was an exciting, fun and special moment thanks to the power of Gaultier’s clothes, photography and make-up.
Now I’m even more looking forward to the Fashion Freak Show! Ambassador, let’s do our best to look stylish!
▼ Mori Hikari
I am honoured to be able to participate in this project as a model with Gaultier, one of the people who has had an impact on the history of haute couture.
Gaultier has continued to create through the unique beauty that each individual possesses, and I am excited to see his performance return to the origins of the will to live and the act of dressing, and to see the fashion industry flourish once again.
▼ Hisako Manda
I remember the excitement of the 2023 Fashion Freak Show like it was yesterday, and now I have been appointed as an ambassador! I feel very honoured.
Like Gaultier’s designs, the stage is structured in an exhilarating way. The 200 costumes, all different from each other, make for a spectacular show – unconventional yet obnoxiously elegant!
The world where the era has been deformed in Gaultier’s style is bursting with power!
I’m excited to think about how I can convey this wonder in my own way. Please take a look.
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