28 April 2015

Jean Paul Gaultier on occasion of his next show at the Life Ball press conference in Vienna

Today, Life Ball invited to the press conference concerning the initiatives of the AIDS/HIV charity and its fundraising event series: the Red Ribbon Celebration Concert on 15 May, the First Ladies Luncheon, the Aids Solidarity Gala and the 'Life Ball' on 16 May. The Life Ball charity is accompanied by an auction (live and online).

The main event, the 'Life Ball' will open with music performances and the fashion show by Jean Paul Gaultier who was inspired by the ball's motto 2015 'Ver Sacrum' and its color 'gold'. The French designer's couture items will premiere on 16 May on a special art stage - a reproduction of the Vienna Secession, in front of the city hall in Vienna. Today, Jean Paul Gaultier has shown no sketches or other previews of the show items; but he brought one of his designs for another art-piece: Gaultier unveiled his car-outfit for the Life Ball Audi Austria (closer view on Life Ball's Facebook page).

fig. above: Life Ball organizer Gery Keszler and Jean Paul Gaultier unveil the Life Ball Audi Austria designed by Jean Paul Gaultier in front of the press during the Life Ball press conference on 28 April 2015 at hotel Le Meridien in Vienna.

The title of this year's Life Ball is 'Ver Sacrum'; it means translated from Latin 'Sacred Spring' and was used in the Latin version also as title of the magazine of the members of the art movement Vienna Secession. Even Life Ball has an own magazine which was handed out by Austrian Airlines stewardesses; Austrian Airlines is one of the main sponsors of the AIDS/HIV charity.

On the cover of the Life Ball Magazine, Eurovision Song Contest 2014 winner Conchita Wurst photographed by Ellen von Unwerth (on view on the image above). The Eurovision Song Contest plays this year an important role in context with Life Ball as the competition 2015 will happen some days after the ball on 19, 21 and 23 May in Vienna.

fig. below, left to right: Jean Paul Gaultier and Gery Keszler on stage at the welcoming. Insight into the room of the press conference: row of TV-cameras; table with Red Bull beverages and mineral water by Vöslauer (both are Life Ball sponsors) and the poster image of Life Ball 2015 with Conchita Wurst in photographer Ellen von Unwerth's homage to Vienna Secessionist Gustav Klimt's famous portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer; the painting is also known as 'Woman in Gold' or the 'Golden Adele'. Cover of the Life Ball Magazine with Conchita Wurst photographed by Ellen von Unwerth. The magazine was handed out by Austrian Airlines stewardesses.

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