Introducing — Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil

There are diffusion lines, and then there are diffusion lines.
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Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil was introduced in 1994 as a diffusion line to Jean Paul Gaultier’s main line, offering a more casual and accessible approach to the designer’s style. I find the line to be as close as it gets to Gaultier’s main line — if you love vintage Gaultier, then Soleil is definitely a label tag to look out for when shopping.
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As reflected in its name, the Soleil presented a summer-inspired aesthetic, with lightweight and flowy garments that could be dressed up and down.

Some parallels between the main line and Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil are the use of mesh, detailed prints, patterns, and interesting silhouettes. Gaultier loves unconventional cuts of fabric, and the diffusion line is not an exception — Soleil featured numerous asymmetrical or atypically-cut garments, but at a more affordable price.
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Despite Soleil’s intention to be a more accessible line, Gaultier’s avant-garde style still shines brightly in many of its garments, solidifying its legacy in fashion history.