Endeavoring to tear down gender stereotypes and sartorial norms on the catwalk, making underwear outerwear, putting men in skirts and models of all shapes and sizes on the runway, Jean Paul Gaultier has created wildly provocative, transformational designs for day dresses, gowns, tops and other garments that draw on numerous influences and boldly merge haute couture with street sensibility.
An only child raised in the suburbs of Paris, Gaultier didn’t have a formal fashion education. But he loved to sketch and was drawn to clothing, citing the corsets in his maternal grandmother’s closet as having a formative impact on his creative direction. He’s said that some of his earliest fashion work was for his teddy bear, and later he would send his sketches to designers he revered, including Pierre Cardin.
Gaultier began his career in 1970 as an assistant to Cardin, who admired the sketches the 18-year-old had sent for his appraisal. After Gaultier had his first runway show in 1976, featuring unconventional statements like pairing motorcycle jackets with ballerina skirts, it didn’t take long for his star to rise.
Gaultier's playful but exquisitely crafted reimaginings of classic Parisian styles — the striped mariner shirt, the trench coat — soon became recurring themes of his eponymous house, which he founded with his life partner and business associate Francis Menuge in 1982.
“He was absolutely peerless for the longest time in the late ’80s and early ’90s,” fashion editor Tim Blanks told the New York Times. This was the period of Gaultier’s most iconic designs.
In 1984, Gaultier’s “Boy Toy” collection challenged men’s fashion with striped shirts and skirts — and sold around 3,000 of them. He was hailed for spectacle-laden runway shows and superb tailoring. Gaultier began to work with Madonna during the late 1980s, and, at the pop star’s request, he designed the costumes for her 1990 “Blond Ambition” tour. Her pink corset became a cultural touchstone of the era.
Gaultier continued to expand his brand. There were the colorful all-over graphic prints in the sheer stretch-tulle fabric of his Soleil line — which have gained fans in millennials seeking the authentic, easy style of 1990s fashion — and he debuted his first couture collection in 1997. Gaultier created costumes for film and stage and was nominated for a César Award for Best Costume Design for The City of Lost Children (1995) and then a second for Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element (1997).
From 2003 to 2010, Gaultier was the creative director for Hermès. The first international exhibition of his work, “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk,” debuted in 2011 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and toured to cities including Stockholm, New York City, Dallas and London. Vintage Gaultier Birkin bags are unsurprisingly sought-after collectibles, and the So Black collection — a line that included the So Black Birkin, which featured black PVD-coated hardware — was among his last works for the brand before his departure.
Gaultier presented his last ready-to-wear collection in 2014 and in 2020 stepped down from his couture line, ending his boundary-pushing, industry-shaping reign with a raucous show of more than 230 outfits formed from fragments of collections from across his 50-year career.
One of fashion’s enfants terribles, Gaultier has never sought out pretty for pretty’s sake. Instead, he has challenged the traditional ideals of beauty. Today, the designer's vintage clothing designs — experimental undergarments cut from lace and suede, leather-trimmed evening dresses and jackets of denim, plastic or striped jersey — are as punk as they are high fashion.
Find vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dresses, skirts, jeans and accessories today on 1stDibs.
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Koi Fish Tattoo Print Sheer Mesh Pareo Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage koi fish tattoo print sheer mesh pareo dress. This vintage Jean Paul Gaultier pareo dress perfectly captures the d...
rare JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage 56-6102 silver steam punk blue round sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage 56-6102 silver steam punk blue round sunglasses Reference: TGAS/D00104 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Model: 56-6102 Material:...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Silver Tone Oval Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Silver Tone Oval Sunglasses Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Steampunk sunglasses with matte silver tone frame. - Engraved GAUL...
Jean Paul Gaultier Smoked Hardware & Smoked Lucite Studded Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier wicked and whimsical smoked hardware frame is accented with a smoked lucite front as detailed with engraved "studs" on the arms. The front measures 5 3/4" a...
Vintage Jean Paul GAULTIER by ALAIN MIKLI 3-Arm Tortoiseshell Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Jean Paul GAULTIER by ALAIN MIKLI 3-Arm Tortoiseshell Sunglasses Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER in collaboration with ALAIN MIKLI. - Tortoiseshell acetate su...
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 8171 Round Black Matte Dark Purple Lens 1990 Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Mint Jean Paul Gaultier 56 8171 Round Black Matte Frame. Flat Dark Grey Lenses That Complete A Ready To Wear Jpg Look. Amazing Design With Strong Yet Intricate Details. Design And ...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 7205 Magnetic Tortoise Japan Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Tortoise Pattern Magentic Removable Front. Design And Produced In The 1900'S A Timeless And Iconic Piece. Ready For Prescription Lenses. A True Fashio...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 6104 90's Japan Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier wrap around frame. Design And Produced In The 1900'S. Minor sign of wear due to storage. A True Fashion Statement Made In Japan Front ...
Vintage Jean Paul GAULTIER by ALAIN MIKLI 3-Arm Black Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Jean Paul GAULTIER by ALAIN MIKLI 3-Arm Black Sunglasses Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER in collaboration with ALAIN MIKLI. - Black acetate sunglasses with 3-...
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 0174 Round Blue Lens 1990's Sunglasses Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 0174 Silver Details frame. Blue lenses that complete a ready to wear JPG look. Amazing design with strong yet intricate details. Design and produced i...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Green Enamel Gold Tone Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Green Enamel Gold Tone Sunglasses Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Steampunk sunglasses with matte gold tone frame. - Decorativ...
Mint Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 0174 Gold & Silver 1990's Sunglasses Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 0174 Gold and Silver Details frame. Dark grey lenses that complete a ready to wear JPG look. Amazing design with strong yet intricate details. This it...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 58 0272 Black Japan Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Junior medium frame in sleek black with silver accents. Design and produced in the 1900's a timeless and iconic piece. Minor sign of wear due to stora...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 58 1273 Miles Davis Sunglasses Made in Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Tortoise And Copper Metal Accents Frames. The Very Same Model Worn By Miles Davis. Design And Produced In The 1900'S A Timeless And Iconic Piece. A True Fashion Statement. It Comes With An Original Jean Paul Gaultier Silver Hard Case, Not The One On The Picture. Front : 13 Cms Lens Height : 3.3 Cms Lens Width : 4 Cms Temples : 12 Cms New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 58 1273 Miles Davis Sunglasses...
Mint Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 9173 Removable Clip Sunglasses 1990 Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier, Jena Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Mint Jean Paul Gaultier 56 9173 removable clip frame. Dark blue lenses that complete a ready to wear JPG look. Amazing design with strong yet intricate details. Design and produce...
Jean Paul Gaultier Sculptural Metal and Leather Fetish Belt from the '90s
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Roma, IT
An incredible sculptural belt by Jean Paul Gaultier Archival footage from the mid-1990s The belt is a true work of art made of matte steel combined with leather straps Adjustable to ...
New Jean Paul Gaultier 56 9274 Round Space Grey & Grey Lenses 1990's Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Jean Paul Gaultier 56 9274 Round Space Grey Frame. Medium grey Lenses That Complete A Ready To Wear Jpg Look. Amazing Design With Strong Yet Intricate Details. A True Fashion ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Iconic Gun-Metal "Spring-Action" Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier Iconic gun-metal sunglasses has "spring-action" detailing on the corners. These glasses has a sort of "Mad Scientist" allu...
$227Sale Price|35% Off
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier hand print tie
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Austin, TX
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier hand print tie 100% silk 3.5" width Condition: Excellent
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 57 1271 Translucent 90's Japan Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Junior Medium Translucent Frame Holding A Pair Of Purple Gradient Lenses Design And Produced In The 1990's A Timeless And Iconic Piece. A True Fashion...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Blue Green Enamel Silver Tone Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Blue Green Enamel Silver Tone Sunglasses Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Steampunk sunglasses with matte silver tone frame. - ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Metallic Knit "Equator" Hat
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Sharon, CT
A rare vintage piece from the 'Equator' Line. The hat size is EU 42, the diameter 22". Elastan metallic fabric.
Archival Jean Paul Gaultier Chrome & Canvas Jacquard Waist Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Sheffield, GB
Archival vintage Jean Paul Gaultier belt. (Circa 1990-2000) In Black jacquard nylon. Featuring a fully adjustable JPG signature steel buckle fasten closure, and black leather tipped ...
Collector's JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Wool Knit Gloves With Mini Purse Handbag Tags
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Very rare JPG wool gloves with mini purse Definitely JPG collectors piece. Only one glove has purse attached NEW with tags attached Size M FINAL SALE.
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Glasgow, GB
Vintage sunglasses by Jean Paul Gaultier. Silver metal oblong frame with slight textured pattern. Yellow tint on the lenses. Green/ blue acetate narrow legs with same pattern. Signat...
Jean Paul Gaultier Mens 1986 Phoenican Horse Brocade Scarf
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier 1986 Phoenician inspired Pegasus horse, black and pale bronze brocade scarf 1986. The large brocade scarf fabric is seen in Madonna"...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 57 0073 Prescription Tortoise Japan Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Junior medium frame in amber tortoise pattern. Design and produced in the 1900's a timeless and iconic piece. Ready for prescription lenses. A true fa...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 7201 Cat Eye Frame Sunglasses 1990'S Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Jean Paul Gaultier Mother Of Pearl Like Front Cat Eye Frame And Silver Combination. A True Fashion Statement. This Item May Show Some Sign Of Wear Due To Almost 30 Years Of Stora...
Jean Paul Gaultier Carnivalle Head Scarf F/W 1984
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier Egon Schellie Carnivalle printed head scarf on a cotton jersey fleece fabrication from F/Winter 1984. The cut is a large hood with attac...
Jean Paul Gaultier Collector Boxing Corset Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER collector boxing corset belt. This belt features : - Dark navy blue canvas panels embellished with black patent PVC details. - Black laces on front. - Silver tone...
Jean Paul Gaultier "Shades of Greens" Gold Hardware Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier wonderfully wicked "Shades of Greens" gold hardware sunglasses measuring from one end of the green on the side to the other side of green 6 3/8". Across the front ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Mens 1986 Phoenican Horse Brocade Scarf
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier 1986 Phoenician inspired Pegasus horse, burgandy and gold brocade scarf 1986. The large brocade scarf fabric is seen in Madonna's "Op...
$741Sale Price|30% Off
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Tropical Flamingo Print Sheer Mesh Pareo
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage sheer mesh pareo featuring an opulent and multicolored tropical print with flamingos, butterflies, birds, architectural elements and GAULTIER logos. Missi...
Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Black Leather Corset Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Paul Gaultier JPG black leather corset belt featuring silver tone hardware, a large width, logo pitted on the buckle. In good vintage condition. Made in France. Estimated size...
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 8272 Tortoise Iconic Collectors Item 1990's Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Collectors Item!! Iconic Jean Paul Gaultier 56 8272 Tortoise Silver Matte temples frame. Dark blue lenses that complete a ready to wear JPG look. The very same model worn by Vanill...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 5106 Silver Oval Frame Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier, Jena Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Jean Paul Gaultier 56 5106 Oval Frame. Gradient Purple Lenses That Complete A Ready To Wear Jpg Look. Amazing Design With Strong Yet Intricate Details. Design And Produced In ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Gold Tone Accented with Stud Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier wonderfully detailed gold tone sunglasses are detailed with micro-studs on the center-front as well as the corners. The arms are accented with the signature etched...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 0173 Round Blue Lens 1990's Sunglasses Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 0173 silver Details frame. Blue mirrored lenses that complete a ready to wear JPG look. The lenses have minor sign of wear. Amazing design with st...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Wide Black Leather Rim Tube Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage wide black leather rim tube belt. Snap button closure. Marked JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Made in Italy. Indicated size : 44. Indicative measurements : inner ci...
Jean Paul Gaultier Golden Lucite with Black Lucite Interior Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier wonderfully detailed golden lucite sunglasses are finished with black lucite interior. The arms are black hardware with black lucite tips. The length acros...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Bust Stained Oval Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Bust Stained Oval Sunglasses Measurements: Eye Size: 1.65 inches (4.2 cm) Horizontal Width: 5.31 inches (13.5 cm) Temples: 5.31 inches (13.5 cm) Features...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Multi Layer Braided Leather Necklace Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Multi Layer Braided Leather Necklace Belt Measurements: Height: 7.08 inches (18 cm) Wearable Length: 26.37 inches to 40.15 inches (67 cm) Features: - 100...
Jean Paul Gaultier 56 9202 Shield Frame Collectors Item 1990's Japan Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Collectors Item!! Iconic Jean Paul Gaultier 56 8272 Silver Frame. Dark blue lenses that complete a ready to wear JPG look. Amazing design with strong yet intricate details. Design a...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Tribal Enamel Charm 4 Layers Chain Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Tribal Enamel Charm 4 Layers Chain Belt RARE PIECE Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Tribal belt with 4 layers of chain and multiple ename...
New Jean Paul Gaultier 55 7107 Silver Frame Made In Japan 1990'S Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
NEW JEAN PAUL GAULTIER GREY FRAME SUNGLASSES. MEDIUM GREY LENSES THAT COMPLETE A READY TO WEAR JPG LOOK. Amazing Design With Strong Yet Intricate Details. Design And Produced In Th...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Junior 55 3173 gold sunglasses 1990s Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Jean Paul Gaultier Junior gold frame. Light pink lenses that complete a ready to wear jpg look. Amazing design with strong and elaborated details. made in the 1990's. New, n...
Jean Paul Gaultier Signature Arms Gilded Silver Hardware Glasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier gilded silver hardware frames accented with the signature name in script on both arms of these prescription lens glasses. The bridge are detailed with JPG with the...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Logo Polka Dot Steampunk Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Logo Polka Dot Steampunk Sunglasses Measurements: Height: 1.57 inches (4 cm) Horizontal Width: 5.43 inches (13.8 cm) A...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 58 0011 Silver & Burgundy Sunglasses 1990's Japan
By Jena Paul Gaultier, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 58 0011. Amazing Design With Strong Yet Intricate Details. Design And Produced In The 1990'S. New, Never Worn Or Displayed. A True Fashion Statement. Thi...
Jean Paul Gaultier Green Tinted Lens Metal Frame Sunglasses circa 1990s
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
These Jean Paul Gaultier Green Tinted Lens Metal Frame Sunglasses from the circa 1990s embody the bold, avant-garde spirit of high fashion. Featuring a sleek metal frame with a disti...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Limited Edition Anniversaire 1976 - 2001 Bronze Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Limited Edition Anniversaire 1976 - 2001 Bronze Belt Measurements: Height: 2.20 inches (5.6 cm) Width: 5.70 inches (14.5 cm) Maximum Wearable Length: 34.25 inches (87 cm) Adjustable Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Gaultier profile, scissor and wing details on the buckle. - Chunky chain belt strap. - Signed JEN PAUL...
New Jean Paul Gaultier 55 3181 Gold Frame Made In Japan 1990'S Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Jean Paul Gaultier Gold Frame Sunglasses. Medium Rose Lenses That Complete A Ready To Wear Jpg Look. Amazing Design With Strong Yet Intricate Details. Design And Produced In Th...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 58 0020 Sunglasses 1990's Made in Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier, Jena Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Sleek Sunglasses. Amazing Design With Strong Yet Intricate Details. Design And Produced In The 1990'S. New, Never Worn Or Displayed. A True Fashion Stat...
Vintage JEAN Paul GAULTIER JPG 0005 Red Embossing Tape Black Skinny Leather Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN Paul GAULTIER JPG 0005 Red Embossing Tape Black Skinny Leather Belt Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Skinny black leather belt with long buckle in red e...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Tie - "Rural Landscape" Illustration Print
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Milano, IT
This rare Jean Paul Gaultier vintage tie features an intricate illustrated pastoral scene printed across the entire length, depicting a vivid countryside landscape with hay carts, wo...
New Jean Paul Gaultier 56 4175 Silver Metal Jet Ornaments Grey Lens 1990's Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Superb Collectors Item!! New Jean Paul Gaultier 56 4175 Jet Silver Metal Ornaments Frame. Spotless Dark Blue Lenses That Complete A Ready To Wear Jpg Look. Amazing Design With Stro...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 7711 Frame Sunglasses 1990'S Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Jean Paul Gaultier Semi Rimless Sunglasses. A True Fashion Statement. This Item May Show Some Sign Of Wear Due To Almost 30 Years Of Storage. New, Never Worn Or Displayed. Made...
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 9272 Gold Collectors Item 1990's Japan Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Collectors Item!! Iconic Jean Paul Gaultier 56 8272 gold frame with tortoise temples. Dark green lenses that complete a ready to wear JPG look. The very same model worn by Vanilla I...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk White Sunglasses
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk White Sunglasses Measurements: Height: 1.77 inches (4.5 cm) Horizontal Width: 5.31 inches (13.5 cm) Arms: 5.20...
New Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier 56 7113 Holographic Frame Sunglasses 1990'S Japan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Jean Paul Gaultier Silver frame with holographic like details on the temples sporting purple lenses Sunglasses. A True Fashion Statement. This Item May Show Some Sign Of Wear Due...