Published: 2022-12-12 ǀ Updated: 2023-05-31
Jean Paul Gaultier Biography
Jean Paul Gaultier (* April 24, 1952 in Arcueil) changed careers and is considered an eccentric enfant terrible of the fashion world. His collections are always outlandish, sometimes barely wearable, sometimes playful and always inspired by pop culture. He has not only popularized the skirt for men, but also immortalized himself through extravagant stage outfits for Madonna and others. His motto always: nothing is impossible. No wonder, the designer is also a sought-after designer for stage outfits and film costumes.
Vita
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1970
The young Gaultier sends his fashion sketches to well-known fashion designers without being asked. These find favor with Pierre Cardin, who hires him as an assistant.
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1971
He works as an assistant to chief designer Michael Goma at Jean Patou, but returns to Pierre Cardin two years later.
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1976
Gaultier presents his first own collection.
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1978
The designer founds Jean Paul Gaultier SA.
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1986
Gaultier opens his first boutique in Paris.
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1989
The designer succeeds in entering the charts with an excursion into the world of music and the song "How to do that".
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1990
Gaultier designs the stage outfits for Madonna's Blond Ambition tour. The conical bra cups on a gold and pink corset dress are still legendary today.
Madonna's Blond Ambition Pink Corset -
His partner dies as a result of HIV infection.
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1993
He launches the first perfume for women, followed in 1995 by the first fragrance for men, "Le Male" — still one of the world's best-selling fragrances.
Classique Eau de Parfum and Le Male -
1997
Gaultier creates haute couture collections under the Gaultier Paris label.
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2001
Gaultier was awarded the title "Chevalier de la Lègion d'Honneur," one of France's highest honors, for his achievements in changing society's perception of sexuality through fashion.
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2003–2011
Gaultier workes as a designer for Hermès . During this time, Marion Cotillard and Nicole Kidman, for example, wear Gaultier's dresses at the Oscars.
Nicole Kidman Gaultiers Oscars Dress -
2012
Gaultier serves as a juror for the 65th Cannes International Film Festival.
Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or Award -
2014
Gaultier designs a prêt-à-porter collection for men and women, with the men's collection presented as a unisex line since 2006.
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2016
The designer creates over 500 costumes for the revue "The One Grand Show at Berlin's Friedrichstadtpalast".
The One Grand Show at the Friedrichstadtpalast in Berlin -
2020
He announces that he will complete the last haute couture show, but will continue with designing fashion, saying goodbye to the international catwalks.
Trivia
- In his fashion shows, Gaultier repeatedly uses older, overweight or tattooed people to celebrate diversity. He always plays with androgyny and overcoming gender boundaries.
- One of his trademarks is a white long-sleeved shirt with narrow blue horizontal stripes. The sailor look spread by Gaultier can also be found, for example, in his perfume Le Male.
- In addition to stage outfits for Madonna, Marilyn Manson and Kylie Minogue, Gaultier also repeatedly designs film outfits, for example for The Fifth Element, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover and City of Lost Children.
- After her ejection from the series Germany's Next Top Model, JPG 2022 hired model Viola for his new campaign.