Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring 2012 couture collection was inspired by the inimitable, late Amy Winehouse. Or is she so inimitable? Winehouse was certainly an original in many ways but the first half of the looks seemed as if JPG had just sort of copied versions of her wardrobe. Some were so literal I wonder if he’d gone straight into her closet for them! (see top row)

But wait… the second half of the show was far better and proposed clothes that to my eye, look like what he would have liked to dress her in. They are exuberant, there are hints of retro and rawness that are her signature, but these are nuanced at least and not as obvious. One can easily imagine the best version of Winehouse slipping into the sheer black or orange lace gowns or throwing that fabulous pink trench on over whatever. It’s a shame that this will never be so, but Gaultier is to be praised for celebrating such a vibrant woman. -RS (Images via Vogue.com)