Behold , The Fifth Element costume conception art that Prince intend was “ too effeminate ” for him . astonishing .
Before Chris Tucker stole the show as Ruby Rhod in Luc Besson ’s The Fifth Element , the role was declare oneself to another famous person , Prince . And while it make perfect sense that the role of the androgynous , sexual firecracker would be offered to Prince , we could never depict what he would have looked like in the role .. until now .
Thanks toThe Brooklyn Museum‘s fantastical novel showing featuring the head - gasconade work of artist ( and Fifth Element costume designer ) Jean Paul Gaultier , we got a glimpse of Prince as Ruby Rhod . A collection of Gaultier ’s illustrations for his work on the film were displayed in the exhibit along with this absolutely fantastic story direct make the designer himself , which also revealed that Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts were originally disgorge as the lead use .
One of the thousand costume in The Fifth Element , I rent my inspiration for many of them from my own collection . Filming was originally planned for 1992 , with Julia Roberts , Mel Gibson and Prince in the leading role but due to a want of financing the project was put on time lag . At that metre , the role of Ruby Rhod , the outrageous metier personality eventually played by Chris Tucker , had been given to Prince .
When the singer was giving a serial publication of concerts in Paris , Luc Besson want us both to receive with him to show him my sketches . Prince had already attended my track show , but he do and travel very rapidly every sentence , so we had never been officially introduced . While I was waiting for Luc in his part , I visualise this huge bodyguard look , with Prince hang back behind him . As Luc has n’t yet make it , I thought he must have wanted me to meet with Prince alone , so we could get to recognise each other a little bit . In low English , and with my firm Gallic accent , I tried my good to make conversation , something like “ Hell - O Prin - ze , welcome to Par - isse ! So for ze role I sink … ”
I show him my draft , but he did n’t say a word . I had had an idea for a really funny costume with clear which quite long body hair’s-breadth would pass through , and I had done front and back versions of it . So then I explained to Prince : “ Eet eel fake ‘ atmosphere , you know , and eet eel beaucoup , beaucoup , airy , vraiment merriment , and ze back is made of sat , and on ze back were eez ze faux cul , you know , a very openhanded faux cul . ” and I slapped my buttocks to show him how the back of the costume would be plan .
Still not saying anything , Prince reach me this Charlie Chaplin kind of look . I could see that something had just pass , but I did n’t recognise what , only that he had indicated to his body safety that he wanted to lead mightily then and there . I recall he was go to go and see Luc . subsequently , Luc told me that Prince had been very surprised and amused — by my presentation , but that he found the costume a bit too sissy . And , most importantly , he had think he head “ Fuck you , jazz you ! ” when I was saying in my terrible English idiom “ faux cul , faux cul ” [ bastard ass ] !
— Jean Paul Gaultier
The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier : From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk persist from October 25th to February 23rd , 2014 , at the Brooklyn Museum . The display is absolutely fantastic and we highly urge this immersive and exceptionally curated experience . You canpurchase ticketshere .
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