Jean Paul Gaultier

Known as the enfant terrible of French fashion, Jean Paul Gaultier stages theatrical runway presentations featuring clothes distinguished by their combination of sexuality, irreverence, and humor. At the core of Gaultier’s work, however, is an appreciation for the artistry of haute couture.

Gaultier was raised in a suburb of Paris, where his early interest in fashion was piqued by the discovery of his grandmother’s corset. "From that moment I became fascinated by the idea of transforming one's body with clothes, and the idea that certain garments can accentuate something you want and hide something you don't want," he recalled. On his eighteenth birthday, Gaultier received a job offer from Pierre Cardin. Although he also worked briefly for the houses of Patou, Jacques Esterel, and Angelo Tarlazzi, Gaultier found working with Cardin to be the most inspiring. “At Cardin, everything was possible.”

Gaultier presented his first ready-to-wear show in 1976, and his work began to receive significant attention by the end of the decade. After receiving funding from the Japanese fashion manufacturer Kashiyama, Gaultier officially established his business in 1982, and he quickly became known as one of the most provocative designers of the late twentieth century. In 1985, he showed his first man’s skirt in a collection entitled And God Created Man, an important example of Gaultier’s interest in androgyny. His youthful fascination with corsetry frequently inspired clothing that resembled undergarments. Most notably, Gaultier designed the costumes for Madonna’s 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour, which featured his iconic cone-bra design.

Gaultier presented his first couture collection in 1997. From 2003 until 2010, he served as creative director for women’s wear at the prestigious French luxury brand, Hermès, which he described as a “magnificent adventure.” Gaultier’s own brand now includes perfumes, accessories, and a secondary line, JPG. He launched his first line of intimate apparel in 2010, made in collaboration with top Italian lingerie brand La Perla. Although no longer an enfant, Gaultier’s work continues to push the boundaries of fashion and the imagination.