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 Black Wool High‑Waisted Suspender Trousers US Size 8
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage black high‑waisted suspender trousers. This high‑waisted suspender pant perfectly channels the couture universe of Jean Paul Gaultier, where structure, se...
Jean Paul Gaultier A/W 1992 Shredded Face Blue Jacquard Denim Jeans 26"
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Sheffield, GB
Iconic Jean Paul Gaultier 'Shredded Face' jeans from the A/W 1992 Collection. Crafted from a Jacquard denim, featuring a high waisted figure hugging cut and Metal Plaque 'GAULTIER'...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage navy silver button wide leg nautical pants IT42 M
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage navy silver button wide leg nautical pants IT42 M Reference: AEMA/A00099 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Material: Cotton Color: Nav...
S/S 1997 Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Trompe-L'œil Denim High waisted Jeans W24"
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Rare Pair of Spring/Summer 1997 JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage high waisted cotton pants with an pant guard Blue trompe l-oeil denim jeans print. Features: High waisted Button fasten ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Wall and Flags Print Pants Trousers
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage pants trousers featuring a multi colored wall and flags print. These trousers feature : - Velvety touch material. - Front buttoning. - Front and back pock...
Jean Paul Gaultier Trompe L'Oiel Jeans
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Cool Jean Paul Gaultier Trompe L'Oiel Jeans from the late 1990's. Printed on with a pair of denim jeans on a black cotton ground. JPG Jeans. Size 42. Circa ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Mesh Floral Print Pants circa 1990s
By Jean Paul Gaultier, Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
These Jean Paul Gaultier Mesh Floral Print Pants from the 1990s showcase the legendary designer’s daring and innovative aesthetic. Crafted from a semi-sheer mesh fabric, the pants fe...
Jean Paul Gaultier Navy Blue Wool Knit Palazzo Pants, 1990's
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Jean Paul Gaultier became known as the 'enfant terrible' of French fashion for his combination of genius design and irreverent style. He has also been described as 'playful' which w...
New 1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Sheer Fishnet White Vintage 90s Leggings Stockings
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing never worn late 1990s JEAN PAUL GAULTIER white fishnet crochet sheer leggings / stockings! High waist fit with lots of stretch. Fishnet detail at each ankle. Great with short...
Jean Paul Gaultier brown leather pants with fringe pants, c. 2000
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Jean Paul Gaultier brown leather pants ▪ Leather fringe at the hem and side seam ▪ Straight leg ▪ Embroidered silk waistband ▪ Silk lining ▪ I...
Jean Paul Gaultier Autumn-Winter 1990 black and brown leather biker pants
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Jean Paul Gaultier Autumn-Winter 1990 black and brown leather biker pants with padding and bondage straps.
Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 1999 Trompe L’Oeil Layered Print Pants Worn by Julia Fox
By Gaultier Jeans, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare vintage Jean Paul Gaultier “Gaultier Jeans” trompe l’oeil cotton pants from the iconic Fall/Winter 1999 collection. Constructed in Italy from 100% cotton, this highly collectibl...
Rare Jean Paul Gaultier "Limited Edition" Iconic "Graffiti Riot" Button-Fly Jean
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Rare Jean Paul Gaultier whimsical "Limited Edition" Iconic "Graffiti Riot" button-fly cotton denim jeans has four metal signature etched 'JPG' closing on the fly front, finished...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER FEMME black gold striped logo trim wide leg pants IT40 L
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER FEMME black gold striped logo trim wide leg pants IT40 L Reference: CNLE/A00295 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Collection: FEMME Color: Bla...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage pants with Japanese motifs.
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in CACHAN, FR
Jean Paul Gaultier pants. Japanese patterns. The seam of the hem slightly undone. Size M. Pantalon gaultier. Motifs japonisant. La couture de l’ourlet légèrement défait. Taille ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage 1990s Women's Black Pants Size 42 NWOT
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Capri, IT
Jean Paul Gaultier black pants NWOT Size 42
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Tattoo Dragon Skull Eagle Pants Trousers
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage off-white pants trousers featuring black tattoo print of barbed wire GAULTIER JEAN'S, dragons, skulls and double head eagles. These trousers feature : - O...
Jean Paul Gaultier Men's Detailed Black Leather Five-Pocket Jeans
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
This wonderfully detailed Jean Paul Gaultier men's black leather calfskin five-pocket jeans-style has a button-fly front closing. The waist meas...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Navy Blue White Semi Sheer Wide Leg Nautical Pants
By Jean Paul Gaultier Classique, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1990s JEAN PAUL GAULTIER 90s navy blue and white semi sheer rayon jersey nautical wide leg trousers! From the rare Jean Paul Gaultier Classique label...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER FEMME black gold striped logo trim wide leg pants IT40 L
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER FEMME black gold striped logo trim wide leg pants IT40 L Reference: CNLE/A00295 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Collection: FEMME Color: Bla...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER pantalon jean monogram vintage Y2K
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in CACHAN, FR
Multicolored denim pants with monogram motifs from the brand jean paul gaultier. Very good condition. Size 28US. Pantalon jean multicolore av...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, Striped Ecru & Chocolate Mesh Pants (only), Embroidered Hem
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingston, NY
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER mesh, stretch, chocolate and ecru striped pants with embroidered hem. A very vintage pant that coordinates with similar style dress and cardigan listed within our ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Holy Pictures Print Shortall
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage rare shortall inspired by boxing outfits featuring a lovely holy pictures print all-over. This shortall features : - Sand beige viscose with holy pictures...
Jean Paul Gaultier Black Matador with Pour Glass Buttons Tapered Trouser
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier wonderful detailed tapered black "Matador" trouser is a blend of 98% merino wool as well as 2% lycra. The detailed rows of buttons accenting the sides are ...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage navy silver button wide leg nautical pants IT42 M
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage navy silver button wide leg nautical pants IT42 M Reference: AEMA/A00099 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Material: Cotton Color: Nav...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Op Art Long Sleeve Jumpsuit US Size 8
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage long sleeve jumpsuit featuring an opulent brown/off-white abstract Op Art print all over. This jumpsuit features : - Long sleeves. - Wide legs. - Lightwei...
Jean Paul Gaultier Beige Silk & Linen Wide-Leg Trousers
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier beige blend of 59% silk and 49% linen measures 31" at the waist, waistband is 1 1/2", hips are 44", inner leg length is 34", outer leg is 45 1/8", crotch-to-waist ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Op Art Sheer Mesh Dress Size M
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage sheer mesh dress featuring an opulent abstract Op Art circles print all over. This jumpsuit features : - FUZZI sheer mesh....
Jean Paul Gaultier Dark Denim Jeans
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Vintage dark wash denim from Jean Paul Gaultier with distinctive orange contrast stitching. Inside waist is lined with cotton emblazoned with cheeky skull art.
1990's JEAN PAUL GAULTIER black fitted high waisted pants
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Black fitted high waist pants with ankle zippers designed by Jean Paul Gaultier dating to the late 1990's. French size 38. Pants were not clipped on French size 36 mannequin. Approxi...
Jean Paul Gaultier Black Tailored High-Waisted Trousers circa 1990s
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Jean Paul Gaultier Black Tailored High-Waisted Trousers from the circa 1990s exude timeless sophistication and edgy elegance. Crafted from a sleek, structured fabric, these trousers ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Striped Jeans
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
These stretch pants from vintage Jean Paul Gaultier are spectacular! The neutral base color is punctuated not only by the black and grey vertical striping but also by the contrasting...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Iridescent Apple Green Velvet High Waisted Trousers P
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Iridescent Apple Green Velvet High Waisted Trousers Pants Measurements taken laid flat, double waist and hips: Waist: 13.38 inches (34 cm) Hips: 21.25 in...
Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 1987 Forbidden High Waisted Lace Up Leather Pants
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
A rare and sculptural piece from Gaultier’s provocative late 80's period, these F/W 1987 leather trousers from the famed “Forbidden” collection capture the designer’s fascination wit...
Jean-Paul Gaultier pants Haute Couture
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER - (Made in France) Gray wool pants. Composition and size labels missing, it fits a 34FR. A Haute Couture Collection. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: W...
Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture "Les Sirènes" sailor trousers, summer 2008 coll
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER - High-waisted sailor pants, wide and flowing palazzo cut, entirely embroidered with bronze-colored square sequins and black tubular beads, antiqued hammered silve...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Dragon Eagle Tattoo Print Sarong Suspender Skirt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Dragon Skull Eagle Tattoo Print Sarong Suspender Skirt Measurements taken laid flat, please double waist and hips: Waist: 1...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Junior Black Boxer Overall Mesh Jumpsuit
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Junior Black Boxer Overall Mesh Jumpsuit Measurements, please double bust, waist and hips: Shoulder: 14.56 inches (37 cm) Sleeves: 7.48 inches (19 cm) Bus...
Jean Paul Gaultier Black Pencil Style Embroidered Detailing Trouser
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier black pencil-style trouser is accented with detailed embroidered flat-pleats on front. The hidden invisible side zipper measures 8" and thw waistband measures 1" i...
Jean Paul Gaultier Pants Lace up Back and Zipper Leather Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier, Jean Paul Gaultier Classique
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous pair of black pants from Jean Paul Gaultier. They have a removeable brown leather waistband attached with a zipper, a front flap with functional metal anchor buttons, an...
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Femme Vintage Caramel Brown Wool Pants or Trousers
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Sparks, NV
High waisted vintage 1990s trousers in a caramel brown wool by Jean Paul Gaultier Femme. Unlined with side zip and snap closure. The marked sizes are I-42, D-38, F-38, GB-10, USA-8, ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage 1990s Very Rare Brown Overall
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Femme vintage 1990s very rare brown overall with structured collar. This overall features : - Brown wool blend (supposed composition) - Structured collar. - Long ...
S/S2003 Jean Paul Gaultier gathered flare ruched pants
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Milano, Lombardia
S/S2003 Jean Paul Gaultier gathered flare ruched pants These exceptional Jean Paul Gaultier pants from the Spring/Summer 2003 collection feature dramatic ruched detailing running al...
Jean Paul Gaultier junior SS 1989 "Voyages autour du monde en 168 tenues" pants
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Jean Paul Gaultier junior "Voyages autour du monde en 168 tenues" spring summer 1989 high waist sailor pants in classic blue cotton. Featuring an iconic pin-up style design, these w...
Jean Paul Gaultier Black Wool High-Waisted Trousers
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier high-waisted black trousers of 99% wool and 1% spandex blend for a perfect fit is detailed with an invisible side zipper which measures 7 1/2". The waistband...
2000S JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Black Jumpsuit , Central Zipper Turns It Into A Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
2000S JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Black Jumpsuit , Central Zipper Turns It Into A Dress
Jean Paul Gaultier "Classique" Charcoal/Black Slim Trouser
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier "Classique" blend of charcoal and black slim trousers has detailed double "hooks on the waistband for closing. Size 38/French. The front has two "set-in" pockets a...
Jean Paul Gaultier Metallic Fitted Stretch Leggings Pants
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Metallic Fitted Stretch Leggings Pants IT 38 Excellent Condition Please note the tops modeled with the pants are also for sale in...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Semi-Sheer Mesh Black Leggings Pants
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Semi-Sheer Mesh Black Leggings Pants IT 40
Gaultier Grey Sweatpants With Embroidery 2010
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a pair of vintage Jean Paul Gaultier gray sweatpants featuring embroidery on the sides, pockets, a drawstring waistband, and ribbed cuffs wit...