This velvet trouser suit was commissioned from the Fall 2013 Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture collection when the eponymous designer himself was the creative director. The same fabric was used for the skirt in Looks 39 and 40 from the runway presentation and design elements for the matching jacket were referenced in several of the looks. Regular haute couture clients often request adaptations to couture designs to increase their wearability and to create ensembles where perhaps pieces were shown as separates.

Tailored from buttery soft silk velvet in a deep red wine burgundy hue, the top has a tunic silhouette with a graceful high-neck, slim sleeves and elongated body. It has darts that are sewn upwards from the bottom hem which means the form follows the curves of the body. The raised neckline and back of the top are fastened with a hidden tonal zip and hidden, fabric-covered snap closures. The trousers are cut to a high waist and fasten at the left hip with a hidden hook-and-eye and a tonal zip with fabric pull. They have a wide, straight silhouette. Both the top and trousers are lined throughout in dark aubergine silk-satin, as are the patch pockets. The labels on these couture-made pieces are exquisite; the words “Gaultier Paris” are woven into pale peach lace.

Modern haute couture garments are rare to market and both pieces are presented in excellent vintage condition with no issues. Due to being couture-made, they have no size or composition label so please check the measurements below closely. We believe they would fit a UK 4-6, US 0-2 only. Our model, who is a UK 6-8 or US 2-4, could not get in this at all as the suit is very petite. The fabric has no stretch.

MEASUREMENTS TUNIC

BUST - 32 in. (81 cm)

WAIST - 29 in. (74 cm)

HIP - 35 in. (89 cm)

LENGTH - 24 in. (61 cm)

SHOULDER - 14 in. (36 cm)

MEASUREMENTS TROUSERS

WAIST - 25 in. (64 cm)

HIP - 35 in. (89 cm)

RISE - 12 in. (31 cm)

LENGTH - 39 in. (99 cm)