Glamour and fun are common elements in the creative world of Jean Paul Gaultier, and both are embraced in the maison’s latest campaign. The SS26 imagery is the first campaign under Creative Director Duran Lantink. Titled “Junior,” the collection and campaign were inspired by late-1980s glamour, character and play. 

Campaign images were captured by the Dutch duo, Inez and Vinoodh, who have worked together for 40 years with a body of work that includes some of the most fascinating fashion campaigns and art photography. For styling, Lantink looked to Jodie Barnes and models include Leon Dame, Signe Michaelsson, Emaan Zishan and Marte Mei Van Haaster. In featured designs, silhouette is a major focal point, and Lantink leans into the house’s affinities for mariniere stripes, trompe-l’oeil effects and tattoo mesh. 

For decades, Gaultier has delivered campy designs and gender-fluid styling. When Duran Lantink debuted the SS26 collection, it was met with mixed responses. But this campaign may suggest that things are looking up for the new creative director. These images and garments reveal the play and whimsy that Lantink brings to the maison matching the codes of the house. These shots deliver looks containing the energy of a cheeky wink. Whether found on runways or in campaigns, we hope to see more of this from the luxury house in the future.