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.
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Logo Knit Red & Black Wool Sweater - Jumper
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Sheffield, GB
1990’s Jean Paul Gaultier knitted wool sweater. Featuring a fun cushioned logo across the front, black and red striped detailing on the shoulders and italian 'Lampo' zip collar. MAD...
Jean Paul Gaultier Sweater with Belt 1990s
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous rust orange striped wool sweater from Jean Paul Gaultier. It has long sleeves, a standup collar with functional silver buttons closure along it's side and one shoulder and...
Jean Paul Gaultier Maille Black and White Knit Sweater Vest
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jean Paul Gaultier, Maille Femme sweater vest. Contrasting textures and patterns in the same monotone black and cream color palette. Silver toned buttons down the side. Excellent con...
Jean Paul Gaultier 1990's Tribal Acqua Green Wool Cardigan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier - 1990's - Wool Cardigan - One button closure - Tribal Prints all-over - Two pockets on the front - Made in Italy - Excellent Condition - Materials: ...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, Striped Boiled Wool Cardigan with oversize pockets
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingston, NY
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, Striped Boiled Wool Cardigan with oversize pockets and long front panels. Marked Size Small but fits most.
Jean Paul Gaultier Turtle neck detailed Men Heavy Wool Sweater Size L
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kaunas, LT
Check my other listings. Have many more designer clothes for sale. Open to any offers. Item for sale is 100% genuine Jean Paul Gaultier Turtle neck detailed with small round shinny g...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER MAILLE HOMME 100% virgin wool white navy ribbed top M
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER MAILLE HOMME 100% virgin wool white navy ribbed top M Reference: PRWU/A00056 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Collection: MAILLE HOMME Materi...
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Maille Top and Cardigan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
A chic twinset by Jean Paul Gaultier Maille line, in a brick red and beige stripe knit. The top has attractive ribbing at the hem. Made in Italy. Size M . Measurements. Top Bust up...
Jean Paul Gaultier Gentle Black Wool With Detailed Bell Sleeves Sweater
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier black gentle-knit wool open-tie sweater features detailed edges as well as the slightly flared bell cuffs. The front has two knit ties measuring 24" in leng...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Maille Femme black wool cowl neck sweater L
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Maille Femme black virgin wool knit cowl neck scarf neck sweater L Reference: AEMA/A00141 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Collection...
Early 2000s Jean Paul Gaultier Short Open Cardigan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Early 2000s Jean Paul Gaultier redish brown and white vertical stripe cardigan with a thick yellow and turquoise trim. No buttons, lays open. Perfect with jeans. Very good vintage co...
Jean Paul Gaultier A/W 1995 Cyber Wool Turtleneck
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier - A/W 1995 - Cyber Wool Turtleneck - Checkered pattern at the shoulders - Cyber matrix patter - High neckline - Good condition: some small holes not...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Iconic Destructured Sailor Stripes Sweater
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage iconic destructured sailor stripes sweater featuring detachable sleeves. This sweater features : - Black knitted fabric with...
Beige wool knit cardigan with zip Gaultier 2
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Beige wool knit cardigan with zip. Knit composition: 96% wool, 3% polyester, 2% nylon. SIZE L
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage Cyber Baba optical stripe sailor sweater S
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage Cyber Baba optical stripe sailor sweater S Reference: TGAS/B01643 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Model: Cyber baba sailor sweater M...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage Cyber Baba optical stripe sailor sweater S
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage Cyber Baba optical stripe sailor sweater S Reference: TGAS/B01643 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Model: Cyber baba sailor sweater M...
A/W1986 Jean Paul Gaultier intarsia floral knit Regular
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A/W1986 Jean Paul Gaultier intarsia floral knit This rare Jean Paul Gaultier knit from the Autumn/Winter 1986 collection features an intricate intarsia floral motif rendered in rich...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Size M Black Stripe Cotton Crew-Neck Pullover
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Francisco, CA
Jean Paul Gaultier Gaultier2 pullover offers a sleek, modern aesthetic. Made in Italy from premium black cotton, it features a unique decal printed stripe with a subtle sheen. The cl...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER FW 87 Iconic and rare intarsia sweater
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Milano, MILANO
Iconic and rare Jean Paul Gaultier pour EQUATOR intarsia and printed long knit sweater from Fall Winter 1987 "Russian Deconstructive" collection by Jean Paul Gaultier Flock print Mo...
Jean Paul Gaultier 2000's Knitted Brown Hooled Cardigan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier - Early 2000's - Knitted Brown Cardigan - Hooled design - Oversize fit - Very good condition - Size is O/S for WOMAN. - Made in Italy - Color: Brown...
A/W2007 Jean Paul Gaultier medallion print corduroy turtleneck
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A/W 2007 Jean Paul Gaultier medallion corduroy turtleneck This Jean Paul Gaultier turtleneck from the Autumn/Winter 2007 collection feat...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER MAILLE HOMME 100% virgin wool white navy ribbed top M
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER MAILLE HOMME 100% virgin wool white navy ribbed top M Reference: PRWU/A00056 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Collection: MAILLE HOMME Materi...
Jean Paul Gaultier maxi-length cardigan
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier black maxi-length cardigan is accented with black satin borders on front and also on the sleeves cuffs. The front is detailed with sixteen(16) buttons, as well ...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Maille Vintage red paisley sheer mesh cable knit turtleneck S
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, NT
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Maille Vintage red paisley sheer mesh cable knit turtleneck S Reference: TGAS/D00725 Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Collection: Maille Mate...
Men's Jean Paul Gaultier gold lurex zip-up vest, fw 1985
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Men's Jean Paul Gaultier zip-up vest ▪ Metallic gold and black Lurex knit ▪ 55% Cotton, 21% Polyester, 19% Nylon, 5% Elastane ▪ Fringed hem ▪ Size 48 ▪ Fall-Winter 1985
Fall 1986 Jean Paul Gaultier PVC Sweatshirt With Arrow Design
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
This black leather-look sweatshirt was designed as part of Jean Paul Gaultier’s iconic “Russian Constructivist” Fall 1986 collection. The collection was influenced by the political a...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Native American Print Mesh Top
By JPG by Gaultier, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Native American Print Mesh Top Measurements taken laid flat, double bust and waist: Shoulders: 16.14 inc...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Eyes Metallic Silver Sweater Shirt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Eyes Metallic Silver Sweater Shirt Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust: Shoulders: 19.29 inches (49 cm) Sleeves: 28.34 inches (72 cm) Bust: 2...
Black cotton jersey double vest and backless sweater Jean-Paul Gaultier
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black cotton jersey double vest and backless sweater. The vest is going on the top of the long sleeve backless sweater (which is tied behind the back and with 2 bows) and both piece...
Purple draped rayon asymmetrical sweater Jean-Paul Gaultier Maille Femme
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Purple draped rayon asymmetrical sweater. Fabric composition: 100% rayon. SIZE M
Jean Paul Gaultier "Fish" netted pullover
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier netted pullover has a "Carp fish" on front representing the Japanese term of "Long life". There are multi-colored shades of tans, browns, and black. The front meas...
Jean Paul Gaultier charcoal wool bend pullover
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier charcoal wool blend of 60% wool, 20% angora, and 20% polyamid nylon has a hood style back which is extends within the same piece of material which covers the back ...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Arrow "Constructivist Russian" Collection Sweater Top
By Jean Paul Gaultier, JPG by Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER "Constructivist Russian" Collection Arrow Applique Pvc Sweater Top Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust and waist: Shoulder: Raglan sleeves, d...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Size M Black Knit V-Neck Belted Pullover
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in San Francisco, CA
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER pullover in a black fabric knit featuring a belted style with O-ring details at neck and waist, long slekeves, and V-neck. Made in Italy.Excellent Pre-Owned Condit...
Jean Paul Gaultier Rib Knit Zip-Up Sweater
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Step back in time with this iconic 1990s Jean Paul Gaultier rib-knit zip-up sweater. Crafted from a luxurious and thick black rib-knit fabric, this sweate...