Jean Paul Gaultier
Fashion Designer
Jean Paul Gaultier is a French fashion designer, who was nicknamed the enfant terrible of French fashion. Beginning his career in 1970 at Pierre Cardin and later working at Jean Patou, Jean Paul Gaultier launched his own ready-to-wear label in 1976.
In 1997, Gaultier entered the world of haute couture, a surprising move from a designer who had become known for his street and pop culture-influenced ready-to-wear. Providing an outlet for Gaultier's love of performance and exoticism, the line has become known for the rich characters and fabrics seen on its catwalk with shows often featuring models varied in age and figure.
As well as his infamous designs for Madonna's 1990 Blond Ambition tour, which introduced the conical bra to the world, Gaultier has also designed costumes for a number of theatre and film productions including The Cook, The Thief, his Wife and her Lover (1989) and The Fifth Element (1997). In 2001, Gaultier was awarded the Chevalier à l'Ordre de la Légion d'Honneur–one of France's highest honours–and two years later became creative director of Hermès: a position he held for seven years. In 2019, Jean Paul Gaultier collaborated with US skate brand Supreme.
Following the S/S 15 ready-to-wear show, Gaultier announced that he would be closing his ready-to-wear line and would continue to produce couture only. In 2021, ready-to-wear was reinstated at the label.
In January 2020, Gaultier announced that his S/S 20 haute couture show would be his last, but that Gaultier Paris would continue as a new concept with guest creative directors.
Jean Paul Gaultier is a French fashion designer, who was nicknamed the enfant terrible of French fashion. Beginning his career in 1970 at Pierre Cardin and later working at Jean Patou, Jean Paul Gaultier launched his own ready-to-wear label in 1976.
In 1997, Gaultier entered the world of haute couture, a surprising move from a designer who had become known for his street and pop culture-influenced ready-to-wear. Providing an outlet for Gaultier's love of performance and exoticism, the line has become known for the rich characters and fabrics seen on its catwalk with shows often featuring models varied in age and figure.
As well as his infamous designs for Madonna's 1990 Blond Ambition tour, which introduced the conical bra to the world, Gaultier has also designed costumes for a number of theatre and film productions including The Cook, The Thief, his Wife and her Lover (1989) and The Fifth Element (1997). In 2001, Gaultier was awarded the Chevalier à l'Ordre de la Légion d'Honneur–one of France's highest honours–and two years later became creative director of Hermès: a position he held for seven years. In 2019, Jean Paul Gaultier collaborated with US skate brand Supreme.
Following the S/S 15 ready-to-wear show, Gaultier announced that he would be closing his ready-to-wear line and would continue to produce couture only. In 2021, ready-to-wear was reinstated at the label.
In January 2020, Gaultier announced that his S/S 20 haute couture show would be his last, but that Gaultier Paris would continue as a new concept with guest creative directors.
