To step into this exhibition is to step into a world of pure imagination.

The French fashion maestro has always captured a great lust for life in his bold, sexy and humorous designs, but to see it all together is to truly appreciate his genius skill when it comes to the art of clothing the human form.

Moving towards the front mannequins you see glimmers of gold and neon blue and then a pair of eyes flick towards you and a voice speaks.

Gaultier has utilised computer imaging technology to create living dolls with faces that move and sing. There is even one of himself welcoming you.

There is also a mechanical catwalk, fashion photography, memorabilia, illustrations of his designs and even the Spitting Image doll of the designer.

Seeing so many of his creations together is a little overwhelming at first as he is well known for his love of embellishment and every outfit has textures, colours and techniques to be admired and some took more than 300 hours to create.

Poring over them allows you to appreciate the exquisite detail that elevates haute couture above everyday fashion – mannequins with nose studs, a cigarette packet garter, a denim ballgown with white feathers individually sewn on, a tartan beehive.

There are also sections for his celebrity muses with charming polaroids of a young Madonna and boyish Gaultier, the cheeky ‘naked’ outfit worn by Naomi Campbell and the ‘virgin’ dress worn by Kylie.

“Oh he looked at me!” a woman exclaimed as I was leaving. “Isn’t that peculiar?” Yes it is. And wonderful and surprising and strange and enchanting.

See our interview with Jean Paul Gaultier here