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 Junior Spring 1989 Leopard Print Lace Up Back Denim Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier, Gaultier Junior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Jean Paul Gaultier is a collectors dream. This dynamite leopard print denim dress originates from the Spring/Summer 1989 'Travel Around the World in 168 Outfits' collection. Thi...
S/S 1992 Jean Paul Gaultier dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Austin, TX
S/S 1992 Jean Paul Gaultier sheer black mesh with tails as seen in MET condition: Excellent Chest: 30-35", Waist: 26-29", Hips: open, Length: 29" down front & 62" down back SIZE...
Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil Body Con Floral Feather Mesh Dress, 2000s
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil Dress features a body con design with stretch fabric providing a comfortable fit. The bold floral print in bold acid-tinged colors. Mid length perfec...
2001 Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Purple Chiffon Beaded Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
This mesmerising, elaborately beaded silk gown was designed by Jean Paul Gaultier himself for our haute couture client. It was made circa 2001 and masterfully crafted from iridescent...
Jean Paul Gaultier Rust Metallic Jacquard Slip Dress with Chain Straps, FW 2001
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Jean Paul Gaultier, Fall-Winter 2001. Rust-red metallic floral jacquard slip dress with a low scoop neckline and fine chain shoulder straps. ▪ Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier ▪ Creative D...
2003 Jean Paul Gaultier Hooded Metallic Silk Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Austin, TX
Jean Paul Gaultier Hooded Silk Dress From the Fall/Winter 2003 Collection by Jean Paul Gaultier Gold & Metallic Patterned Sash-Tie Belt 1920s flapper style w/o belt Bust 35" W...
2005 JEAN PAUL GAULTIER sheer black RUNWAY dress with capelet and bustle back
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Fransisco, CA
This Jean Paul Gaultier dress is from Spring 2005, as seen on the runway in a slightly shorter version. This Jean Paul Gaultier dress is made from sheer black fabric, cut long and c...
Jean Paul Gaultier Maxi Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk jersey dress from Jean Paul Gaultier. It is semi fitted with a bateau neckline and a gradated draped ruffle wider at the front shoulder then narrowing to the h...
1996Jean Paul Gaultier Velvet Gown with Large Fabric Beads
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Austin, TX
1996 Jean Paul Gaultier maroon velvet evening gown with long straps and extra large fabric covered beads - 6 1/2" L x 1 1/4" W. 29" bust, 32" waist, ...
1999 Jean Paul Gaultier gown
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Austin, TX
1999 Jean Paul Gaultier gown pleating drop waist condition: Excellent 36" bust, 35" waist, 34" hips, 80" length sz M/ US 8 / IT44
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage 1990s Iconic Corset Cotton & Satin Black Mini Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage 1990s Iconic Corset Cotton & Satin Black Dress Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Iconic lingerie style corset black dress in black cotton and satin with a la...
Jean Paul Gaultier Ombre Silk Flower Wrap Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great dragonfly and flower pattern silk dress from Jean Paul Gaultier in shades of yellow, green, gold, coral and pink on an ombre yellow background. It is a wrap style with cut i...
Jean Paul Gaultier black one shoulder gown with attached pouch
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Austin, TX
Jean Paul Gaultier black one shoulder gown with attached pouch 100% rayon 31" bust, 26" waist, 25" hips, 66" length Condition: Excellent siz...
2000 JEAN PAUL GAULTIER CLASSIQUE khaki parachute RUNWAY dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier, Jean Paul Gaultier Classique
Located in San Fransisco, CA
This Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2000 runway dress has a utilitarian, almost parachute-like feel. It’s made in an olive drab fabric. The neckline is gathered and held up by halter-sty...
Jean Paul Gaultier Long Red Jersey Knit and Chiffon Dress, French Circa 1990
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1990 France Long dress in red jersey knit by Jean Paul Gaultier. Wide collar in beige chiffon that can be worn in different ways: like a hood, a wide boat neck revealing should...
Jean Paul Gaultier Femme Brown Hooded Cowl Neck Zip Midi Dress, Early 2000s
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
A long-sleeve midi dress in deep chocolate rayon jersey from Jean Paul Gaultier Femme, dating to the early 2000s. The cowl neckline drapes softly at the shoulder, while the lower bod...
Jean Paul Gaultier Cone Bra Bustier Corset Lace Up Bondage Bodycon Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Cone Bra Bustier Corset Lace Up Bondage Bodycon Dress Size: FR 34 Condition: New with Tags
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER MAILLE FEMME — Tiered Lace Ruffle Midi Dress S/S 2002
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Quintessential Gaultier provocation rendered in the most romantic of materials. This sleeveless midi dress layers row upon row of gathered burgundy lace ruffles over a nude mesh bas...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER MAILLE FEMME Vintage black eyelet ruffle self tie dress M
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER MAILLE FEMME Vintage black eyelet ruffle self tie dress M Reference: CC/A00472 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Collection: MAILLE FEMME Mate...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER junior stretch floral dress
By Gaultier Junior, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Austin, TX
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER junior stretch floral dress 30" bust, 23" waist, 30" hips, 33" length Condition: Very good Size M
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Barbwire Print Size 6 Black Vintage 90s Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic and rare 1990s JEAN PAUL GAULTIER barbwire novelty print slinky rayon black and taupe dress ! Features abstract print throughout. Hidden zipper up the...
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Cherub Print Yellow and Purple Vintage Halter Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Diego, CA
Fabulous vintage 90s JEAN PAUL GAULTIER novelty cherub mythical and fish print halter dress! Features vibrant colors of yellow, purple and white throughout. Signature double ply mesh...
Jean Paul Gaultier Silk Velvet Fur Dress and Robe Ensemble, FW 2005
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier ▪ Creative Director: Jean Paul Gaultier ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 2005 ▪ Fabric: Silk Velvet, Fur ▪ Size: FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Made in: Italy ▪ Conditio...
Jean Paul Gaultier Coco-Brown Dramatic Deep-V Front Draped Maxi-Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier dramatic coco-brown maxi body-hugging dress has a deep-V front. The shoulders are wide for a more dramatic appearance as all of Gaultier's outfits are! The slee...
1990's JEAN PAUL GAULTIER black wrap dress with raised neckline
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Dramatic, black wrap style dress with raised neckline designed by Jean Paul Gaultier dating to the late 1990's. Label a French size 36. Approximate measurements: bust 34", waist 28-2...
Jean Paul Gaultier Dress With Grommets
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great white cotton dress with some stretch from Jean Paul Gaultier. The bodice has straps crossing front and back and the straight skirt has hip pockets. There are grommets of vary...
Jean Paul Gaultier Maille Femme Spring Summer 2001 Striped Graffiti Mesh Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
A remarkable piece of fashion self-portraiture from Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring/Summer 2001 collection, this spaghetti-strap mesh dress carries the year “2001” and the designer’s sig...
New Jean Paul Gaultier Femme Blue Trench Coat Maxi Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Francisco, CA
Jean Paul Gaultier Femme blue maxi dress with trench coat detailing. Thin straps can be unsnapped at back to create a criss-cross or halter style. Bu...
Jean Paul Gaultier Dress with Cut outs
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous rich brown silk jersey dress from Jean Paul Gaultier. It is sleeveless with a bateau neckline and X shaped mesh covered cut outs at each side of the waist plus a strip ar...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage "Divers and Parrots" Printed Novelty Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and amazing 1990s / 90s JEAN PAUL GAULTIER A - Line / trapeze dress! Features divers printed throughout, spelling out, "SOLEIL," and "JEAN PAUL GAULT...
Jean Paul Gaultier dress Summer 2010
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER - (Made in Italy) Long dress made of green braided ribbons. Size L indicated. 2010 Spring-Summer Collection. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Chest: 40...
Jean Paul Gaultier Versatile 2-Piece Body-Hugging Ensemble
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier wonderfully body-conscious body-hugging 2-piece ensemble can be worn many ways...As a full-length gown, a dress, a maxi skirt from day-into-the-evening. Made with two layers of stretched netted jersey, this wonderful outfit has a four-way stretch. Matching huge scarf...
Jean Paul Gaultier Madonna esque Cone Bra Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Water Mill, NY
An iconic orange stretch silk dress from Jean Paul Gaultier. It has a cylindrical top stitched cone bra top as made famous by Gaultier's designs for Madonna'...
Vintage Iconic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Madonna Corset Bondage Conical Bra Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Iconic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Madonna Corset Bondage Conical Bra Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust and waist: Bust: 14.57 inches (37 cm) unstretched Waist: ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Racy Ribbon Body Hugging Dress New!
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jean Paul Gaultier body hugging ribbon dress fashioned of rayon and poly with a bit of stretch. Features nude net look shoulder treatment extending int...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage S/S 2003 Maxi Butterfly Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Jean Paul Gaultier Spring Summer 2003 sleeveless ‘butterfly’ dress. Features lace up detail, low cut neckline, frayed edges and maxi length. In excellent vintage condition. Brand: J...
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Novelty Feather Print Trompe L’oeil 90s Halter Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 90s vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER brightly colored novelty feather print rayon halter dress ! The neckline features what looks to be a feathered necklace. Bright colors of orange, ...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Trompe L'Oeil Sheer Tuxedo Print Mesh Maxi Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Trompe L'Oeil Sheer Tuxedo Print Mesh Maxi Dress Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Trompe l'oeil sheer tuxedo print mesh maxi dress - Long sleeves....
Jean Paul Gaultier multicoloured floral silk halterneck dress, ss 2001
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Jean Paul Gaultier halterneck silk dress ▪ Enlarged multicoloured floral print ▪ Accordion pleated bust with halterneck ties ▪ Nude accordion pleated silk chiffon shoulder straps...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Size M Black Black Acetate Blend Stripe Long Sleeve Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Francisco, CA
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER dress in a black acetate blend featuring a black tonal stripe pattern, extra long ruched sleeves with cuff zippers, and floor length design. Made in Italy.Excellen...
Jean Paul Gaultier Multicoloured Striped Knitted Dress with Floral Silk, SS 2005
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier ▪ Creative Director: Jean Paul Gaultier ▪ Collection: Spring-Summer 2005 ▪ Fabric: Silk, Rayon, Polyamide ▪ Details: This stretch knitted dress feature...
Jean Paul Gaultier Black Stretch Mesh Mini Dress with Silk Underlay, SS 2001
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier ▪ Creative Director: Jean Paul Gaultier ▪ Collection: Spring-Summer 2001 ▪ Fabric: Black Silk Chiffon, Synthetic Stretch Mesh ▪ Details: Halter-neck, silk...
Jean Paul Gaultier Leather Trim Silk Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk velvet dress from Jean Paul Gaultier. It has incredible topstitched leather trim around top of the dress and neck creating tear drop shaped cut outs in the fro...
1992 Jean Paul Gaultier Dominatrix Vinyl Skin Corset Zipper Bodycon Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in COLLINGWOOD, AU
Iconic 1992 Jean Paul Gaultier Dominatrix Vinyl Skin Corset Zipper Bodycon Dress in black with lace up back. A true collector's piece. No size label but would fit small to medium. T...
2013 Jean Paul Gaultier Runway Documented Silk Floral Print Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for the S/S 2013 collection, a slightly longer version of this dress was Look 18 on the runway in a pale blue colourway, the assemblage representing th...
JEAN PATOU c.1970's JEAN PAUL GAULTIER 3 Pc Velvet Collar Wrap Cape Dress Gown
By Jean Patou, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Thiensville, WI
Vintage c.1970's Jean Patou by Jean Paul Gaultier three piece black and red silk velvet collar, cape/wrap and evening gown set. Bias cut column maxi dress. High halter neckline with ...
Jean Paul Gaultier black rayon maxi dress with leather choker, ss 2001
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Jean Paul Gaultier black halter neck maxi dress ▪ Spring-Summer 2001 ▪ Constructed from double-layered black rayon jersey ▪ Leather choker with metal buckle ▪ Plunging keyhole ne...
Jean Paul Gaultier Double-Layered Black Wool Jersey Ruffled Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier wonderfully detailed double-layered black wool jersey V-neck ruffled neckline form-fitting dress is detailed with drawstring sleeves' cuff finished with ...
Gaultier FEMME Silk Dress with Ruched Front Braid
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
If CatWoman needed a slinky number to a formal event in the 90s, this would be it. The perfect amount of intriguing and serpentine. Something about this dress, maybe the gorgeous fro...
Jean Paul Gaultier Maille ‘Cyberbaba’ Tribal Foil Mesh Dress Spring Summer 1996
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
A rare and iconic piece from one of Jean Paul Gaultier’s most celebrated collections, this long-sleeve mesh dress belongs to the extraordinary ‘Cyberbaba’ Spring/Summer 1996 runway p...
Jean Paul Gaultier Knit and Sheer Film Camera Roll Print Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Knit and Sheer Film Camera Roll Print Dress Size L Excellent Condition
Jean Paul Gaultier Copper Cone Bra Evening Dress and Jacket Ensemble, ss 1987
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Jean Paul Gaultier Copper Evening Dress and Jacket Ensemble ▪ Spring-Summer 1987 ▪ Museum Grade ▪ Figure-hugging calf-length dress ▪ C...
Jean Paul Gaultier Dramatic Goth Dress Gown with Flowing Cape New
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dramatic goth black sleeveless gown with attached cape by Jean Paul Gaultier. Fashioned of a weighty silk rayon with deep plunging sheer neckline and flowi...
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Black Logo One Piece Bodysuit Wrap 90s Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing 1990s JEAN PAUL GAULTIER black bodysuit / wrap dress ! Black stretch jersey with orange JPG logo at each side of the hem. Simply slips over the head and stretches to fit. Can...
Jean Paul Gaultier sheepskin and fox fur coat dress, fw 2006
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Jean Paul Gaultier sheepskin and fox fur coat dress ▪ Sheepskin bodice with shearling trim ▪ Full a-line skirt made up of vertically cut strips of fox...
Jean Paul Gaultier Cyber Dots Lycra Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
Jean Paul Gaultier dots midi zipper dress. Size S Condition: New, with tag.
Jean Paul Gaultier Snap Detail Little Black Jersey Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Francisco, CA
Jean Paul Gaultier Femme 2000s little black jersey sleeveless dress with various sized black metal snap embellishments around neck. Pulls on overhead. 100% rayon. Fully lined in 92%...
Jean Paul Gaultier Collectible Vintage 90s Paris Cinema Soleil Print Mesh Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week! Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage 1990s Paris Cinema Soleil Print or Circus Stretch Mesh Dress Featuring a printed mesh layer ov...
Jean Paul Gaultier 1990s vintage metal chain lace-up black draped jersey dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Jean Paul Gaultier 1990s Vintage Draped Jersey Dress Iconic 1990s Jean Paul Gaultier black draped jersey dress, featuring a deep V neckline with signature lace-up detailing, finished...
Jean Paul Gaultier Strapless Netted with Hand-Embroidered Accent
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier Strapless Netted dress can be worn also as an strapless top as well as a skirt. The dress is detailed with hand-done embroidered floral stitching. The underarm cir...