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If the fashion doesn't capture you, the animated mannequins will.

As I type, Jean Paul Gaultier is across the street at the Dallas Museum of Art chatting with the press about his exhibit, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, which opens to the public on Sunday, November 13. You may have seen pictures leaked from yesterday’s welcoming events, which included a lunch and evening reception. Enjoy the photos, but don’t let them satiate your appetite. I’ve had the privilege of walking through the galleries of gowns last night and this morning and I’m blown away. You’ll likely never be invited to his couture shows in Paris, and I’m guessing you’re not ready to hire him to make you a bespoke dress anytime soon. But you can see this collection of about 130 exquisite couture ensembles from over the years, all under one roof, glittering wildly on animated mannequins. We are only one of two cities on the map (and the first–take that, San Fran) for this U.S. tour. This is truly an opportunity not to be missed. Follow the jump for photos from the exhibit, a bit of Jean Paul Gaultier history, and a word on his collection of garments, which he says are not art.

I’m a fan of the underwear-as-everyday-clothing look. Corsets and sheer lace are too beautiful to stay hidden. Jean Paul Gaultier often leads the revolving trend, debuting his corset-style dresses in 1983, designing Madonna’s Blond Ambition World Tour costumes in 1990 (cone bra, ring a bell?), and since then designing hundreds of corset-inspired pieces, including evening gowns, crocodile and leather wear, and my favorite, a black stone skeleton piece worn by his sometimes muse, Dita von Teese, who appeared on his arm at last night’s event. The exhibit features six themed rooms: The Odyssey of Jean Paul Gaultier, Boudoir, Skin Deep, Punk Cancan, Urban Jungle, and Metropolis. You’ll see his famed underthings-turned-outwear grace every room. The inspiration for his love of corsetry? His grandmother, who he watched sip vinegar (which led to stomach muscle retraction) to squeeze into her waist-cinching undergarments. Once, he says, she almost left the house in a sheer slip, and he found the look so beautiful, it served as inspiration for future designs.

And yes, he really does say he doesn’t consider his designs to be art. (Clothes, he says, should serve and be worn.) But I think, no matter what you call his creations, each one is a masterpiece, and we’re lucky to get up close and personal (no touching of course) with more than 100 of them.

Room #1: “The Odyssey of Jean Paul Gaultier”

The lifelike mannequins make audio commentary with their projected faces. A talking replica of Gaultier himself greets viewers.

From “Boudoir” to “Skin Deep.”

The Skin Deep rooms includes a trio of avant garde, body-inspired pieces. (See the black skeleton piece I mentioned?)

The “Punk Cancan” room includes a rotating stage of mannequins.

The “Urban Jungle” includes this film-made corset.

Rachel Hovnanian's “Wall of Confidence" is 8 feet wide and contains 220 jars of "Texas Beauty Queen Cream" with slogan from real beauty ad campaigns.

Texas girl Rachel Hovnanian made Women’s Wear Daily news recently for her artwork inspired by the world of Texas beauty. Check out the “Wall of Confidence” above. Each jar, labeled “Texas Beauty Queen Cream,” boasts a real slogan from a beauty product campaign. Other pieces include marble beauty queens holding knives and animated mirrors equipped with insults to toss out to anyone who dares take a peek at their reflection. (Inspired by the dreaded fitting room experience.) According to WWD, Rachel–who could come back home and fit right in as a Texas blonde, I should add–says she’s confronting the cultural obsession with beauty. Last week her work was on display in Los Angeles, but maybe she’ll pay her hometown a visit sometime soon.

photography by Matthew Shelley; design by Charlotte Tobin

Anna-Sophia van Zweden is a jet setter, art and culture expert, fashion lover, and philanthropist. Not to mention daughter of Dallas Symphony Orchestra musical director Jaap van Zweden. (She’s even the honorary chair for this weekend’s Dallas Symphony Orchestra AT&T Gala After-Party.) We knew she’d have interesting things in her bag, and we were right. Take a look.

Hermès special edition bag.

1. Louis Vuitton cosmetic case and products: (from top) Lancome Hypnose mascara, Sisley Hydra-Global Intense Anti-Aging day cream, Harvey Nichols Instant Volume lip pencil in No.2, RMS Lip2Cheek stain in “Smile,” and Laura Mercier lip stain in “Peach Glaze.”
2. Magazine tear outs. “If I see something I love, I rip it out and keep it for inspiration.”
3. Signed Emanuel Ax CD. “He’s an amazing pianist.”
4. iPod, which contains everything from the obvious (classical and piano concerts) to David Guetta and Lil Wayne
5. Japanese artist, Mahomi Kunikata, note cards. “I like to write little thank-you notes.”
6. The Age of Absurdity by Michael Foley. “I love to read. Especially about great thinkers.”
7. Diptyque 34 Boulevard St. Germain perfume
8. Python jacket from Amsterdam. “I’m obsessed with python.”
9. Photo booth pictures with Dallas friends
10. Passport. “I always have my passport because I travel a lot.”
11. iPhone. “I found this case in St. Tropez. I know it’s a little tacky, but I mix it with classier things!”
12. Hermes scarf from Hong Kong. “It brings up any outfit.”
13. Re:Define – The MTV Staying Alive Foundation Benefit invites. “I’m co-chairing the event at Goss-Michael Foundation. It’s a big art auction.”
14. Mason Pearson hairbrush. “I can’t go anywhere without my Mason Pearson brush.”

Peek in more purses.

Ezra Petronio photos

Juergen Teller photo

Head to The Dallas Contemporary on Friday evening to celebrate two new photography exhibits opening by Ezra Petronio and Juergen Teller. Both artists will be at the gallery for the opening reception, which will, of course, include cocktails. Petronio’s Bold & Beautiful exhibit is described as a chaotic “star-filled yearbook.” Retro prints of familiar celebs will be around the museum. (See examples above.) Teller’s exhibit, Man with Banana, includes unseen photos of his work that include celebs and work with high fashion houses. (See right.) He’s known blending “commercial and non-commercial” work in his art. (Remember the recent Marc Jacobs ads that looked a little washed out and retro? That’s Juergen.) It’s definitely an opportunity not to be missed for photography-lovers, artists, and fashionistas. Love the beautiful pages of magazines like Vogue and W? These are the guys that give everyday tabloid celebs some depth in funky photo shoots (and the guys that make ads so pretty you drool on them).

photography by Sergio Garza

One of my favorite pieces in the store in December.

Not very long ago I told you I fell in love with ART is ART on Henderson. The shop showcases local artwork, jewelry, candles, and a handful of fun, vintage things. I got an email recently from the women behind this boutique–Renata Holder and daughter Carrie Jepsen–and I love what they’re doing now. Buy a piece of artwork from them, and you’ll get the help of Renata, interior designer, on where to place the piece. The mom-and-daughter duo will even bring paintings to nearby homes. Don’t live close, Renata will examine photos of your home and help via email or phone. So, if you’ve been looking for a great piece of art (make it local) and you’re not sure you’ll know what to do with it, try shopping at ART is ART on Henderson. I think you’ll be pleased with the talent around the store and the price tags on the artwork. See some of the pieces currently in the store here.

Yeohlee Teng

F/W 2009

Renowned fashion designer, Yeohlee Teng, is in town for the opening of her exhibition, “Yeohlee: Design For Now”, at the Crow Collection of Asian Art. The Malaysian-born designer (who resides in New York), is known for her innovative and functional style and will be giving a lecture and signing books tomorrow in the Horchow auditorium at the DMA at 6:30 P.M., following the members preview on the mezzanine level of the Crow Collection on Flora Street. The exhibition (which will be open to the public from October 3 – January 3) centers around four themes: Urban Nomad, Made in New York, Fluid Geomety, and Zero Waste; and will feature 30 pieces from designer’s 2004-2009 collections, including a skirt that has been deconstructed and installed in square panels of the sky bridge. I caught up with the designer, who had just had lunch at Seventeen Seventeen, on the phone this afternoon. Jump for a short Q&A and to get more information on the events surrounding the exhibit.

D: How did the exhibition come about?
YT: I was in town for an event (for Betty Reiter) in April and I met Amy Hofland (the Director of the Crow Collection) and Myra Walker (Director and Curator of the Texas Fashion Collection at UNT). They thought it would be a a great marriage: the opening of the Arts District and my clothing, so they showed me the space and I loved it.

D: What did you think about the Design District:
YT: I love it, I think it’s incredible. The Nasher has beautiful gardens and sculptures and the Crow Collection is unmatched.

D: How is fashion design similar to the architecture of a building?
YT: They are both about enclosing space. The space that surrounds you and the space around the body. The two disciplines deal with the use of materials and function.

D: In your spring 2010 collection you showed a lot of shorts, do you think they are particularly important for the upcoming season and can women of all ages wear them?
YT: Yes, I do. They are a way of life. As long as you look good in them, go for it.

Schedule of events:
Friday: 5-6:30 P.M.  Crow Collection Member’s Preview from 5-6:30.
Friday: 6:30-7:30 P.M. Public lecture by Yeohlee Teng at the Horchow Auditorium in the Dallas Museum of Art
Friday 7:30 P.M. Reception at the Crow Collection immediately following the lecture.

Saturday: 10 A.M., Yeohlee: Design for Now opens to public
Saturday: 10 A.M.-2 P.M., Adventureasia – Family Days at the Crow Collection – Fashion Origami followed by yoga, storytelling and more (free and open to the public).

The preview event is free and open to Friends of the Crow Collection, but reservations are required. The cost for the lecture is $10 for members and $25 for non-members. For more information and to make a reservation, call 214-979-6436 or email reservations@crowcollection.org.

Apples to Zinnias, located in The Plaza at Preston Center, is challenging Halloween-lovers to deck their haunted houses in ghoulish decor for All Hallows Eve and submit photos of their creations for a grand prize. The head witch at Apples to Zinnias will judge the photos for the most festive décor and the winner will receive a Halloween gift to add to their decoration collection. Please submit your photos by email to appplestozinnias@sbcglobal.net or come by the store located in The Plaza at 4024 Villanova, Dallas, TX 75225. All submissions must be made by October 15.

So get going! Send in your photos! photo grabbed from apartmenttherapy.com