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 Jeweled Chain Necklace with Victorian-Inspired Pendant
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning beaded necklace, designed by Jean Paul Gaultier Paris, features a Victorian-inspired design that showcases a black metal chain intricately adorned with black French jet...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Berber Ethnic Red Stones Fringes Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Berber Ethnic Red Stones Fringes Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Berber and ethnic inspired necklace with red stones embellishme...
Vintage Rare JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Crucifix Scapular Angel Wings Buffalo Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Rare JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Crucifix Scapular Angel Wings Buffalo Charm Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Iconic Gaultier crucifix, scapular, angel wings...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Massive Jewelled Medieval Cross Pendant Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage massive antiqued copper tone necklace featuring a massive Medieval inspired cross pendant embellished with citrine color resin cabochons and crystals. Sli...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Statement Art Deco Inspired Sautoir Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER statement bronze tone Art Deco inspired sautoir necklace featuring glass beads and a massive pendant with chain tassel embellished with light grey opal color cryst...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Glass Ball Net Tassel Pendant Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER ruthenium color metal chain necklace featuring a clear glass ball net pendant and a long black tassel. Slips on (no closure system). E...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Multistrand Ethnic Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage ethnic multistrand necklace featuring black matte glass beads, antiqued silver tone hardware and diamond-shaped charms. Lobster clasp closure. Marked GAU...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Oxidized Silver Tone Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage oxidized silver tone necklace Adjustable spring clasp closure. Marked GAULTIER. Material : Oxidized metal hardware / Glass beads / Glass drop. NOTES - ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Steampunk Necklace with Resin Cameo Pendant
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Jean Paul Gaultier Paris designed this stunning pendant necklace in the 1990s for his Steampunk collection. The design features a silvered metal chain with a lobster closing clasp. T...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Masai Fringe Choker Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Masai Fringe Choker Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Multiple layer of rigid wire choker with hoop, hammered disc pendant and ext...
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Pearl Choker Necklace, France, 1990s
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in TOULOUSE, FR
This striking vintage Jean Paul Gaultier necklace is a powerful example of the designer’s iconic approach to costume jewelry, where fashion, symbolism, and sculptural design merge in...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Safety Pin Logo Scapular Charm Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Safety Pin Logo Scapular Charm Necklace Measurements: Pendant Drop: 3.15 inches (8 cm) Wearable Length: 27.56...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Jewelled Ethnic Lariat Necklace Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Jewelled Ethnic Lariat Necklace Belt Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Jewelled ethnic style lariat necklace/ belt embellished with glass s...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Resin Cameo Choker Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage antiqued bronze tone choker necklace featuring 3 amber color resin cameos links featuring inlaids with scarab and ancient roman cameo...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Hanging Mobile Sautoir Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER hanging mobile sautoir necklace featuring a gun patina metal collar, multiple chains and terracotta color enamel abstract elements. There is a hanging (and moving...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Twisted Choker and Bracelet Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage twisted chocker and bracelet set in gun patina metal. Marked GAULTIER. CHOKER indicative measurements : inner circumference approx. 31.10 cm (12.24 inche...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER by Robert Goossens Gothic Jewelled Branch Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER by Robert Goossens Gothic Jewelled Metal Branch Cascading Chain Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER by Robert Goossens. - Gothic metal ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Copper Toned Safety Pin and Charms Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage antiqued copper toned safety pin necklace featuring multiple key holders pendant with J P G initials and a star charm...
Jean Paul Gaultier Touareg Style Pendant Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER antiqued silver toned necklace featuring a Touareg style pendant embellished with smoky topaz resin crystals and tassels. Ball chain. Hook clasp. Extension chain...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Tribal Charm Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage rare chunky charm necklace featuring thimbles, rings and ethnic inspired enameled charms of various shapes. The links are made of antiqued gold tone wired...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Heart Cross 3 Layer Masai Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Heart Cross 3 Layer Masai Necklace Measurements: Total Drop Height: 3.35 inches (8.5 cm) Height Cross: 1.77 inches (4.5 cm) ...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Brutalist Tribal Cabochon Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Brutalist Tribal Cabochon Necklace Measurements: Pendant Drop: 6.10 inches (15.5 cm) Wearable Length: 18.11 inches (46 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic JEA...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Openwork Logo Cascading Silver Chain Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Openwork Logo Cascading Silver Chain Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Openwork GAULTIER logo name plate with cascading chain neck...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Eye Stars Novelty Black Rhinestones Gothic Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Eye Stars Novelty Black Rhinestones Gothic Necklace Measurements: Height Centrepiece: 4.13 inches (10.5 cm) Wearable Length: 15.35 inches (39 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Black rhinestones necklace...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Brutalist Tribal Medallion Chain Tassel Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Brutalist Tribal Medallion Chain Tassel Necklace Measurements: Pendant Drop: 10.23 inches (26 cms) Wearable Length: 1...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Tribal Brutalist Enamel Triangle Pendant Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Tribal Brutalist Enamel Triangle Pendant Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Tribal brutalist enamel pendant in triangle form with s...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Watch Face Lucite Choker Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Watch Face Lucite Choker Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.65 inches (4.2 cm) Wearable Length: 12.99 inches (33...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Watch Lucite Choker Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Steampunk Watch Lucite Choker Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.53 inches (3.9 cm) Wearable Length: 16.53 inches (42 cm) to 18...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Logo Name Plate Silver Chain Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Logo Name Plate Silver Chain Necklace Measurements: Height: 0.59 inch (1.5 cm) Wearable Length: 16.14 inches (41 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Signature Cursive Choker Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Signature Cursive Choker Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.42 inches (3.6 cm) Width GAULTIER Signature: 4.13 inches (10.5 cm) Wearable Length: 17.32 inches...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Tribal Enamel Charm Choker Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Tribal Enamel Charm Choker Necklace Measurements: Height: 2.36 inches (6 cms) Centrepiece Length: 8.66 inches (22 cm) Feat...
Jean Paul Gaultier Champagne Metal Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jean Paul Gaultier - Champagne metal necklace with rhinestones and black glass pearls. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 70 cm Seller Refer...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Brutalist Tribal Coil Charm Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Brutalist Tribal Coil Charm Necklace Measurements: Pendant Drop: 7.48 inches (19 cms) Wearable Length: 16.92 inches (43 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic JE...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Abacus Medallion Sterling Silver Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Abacus Medallion Sterling Silver Necklace Measurements: Height: 3.15 inches (8 cm) Width: 3.15 inches (8 cm) Wearable Lengt...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Mirror Geometric Lariat Snake Chain Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Mirror Geometric Lariat Snake Chain Necklace Measurements: Mirror Height: 2.16 inches (5.5 cm) Octagon Charms Height: 1.53 inches (3.9 cm) Total Length: 2...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Modernist Triangle Glass Stone Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Modernist Triangle Glass Stone Necklace Measurements: Pendant Height: 3.34 inches (8.5 cm) Wearable Length: 30.70 inches to 31.88 inches (78 cm to 81 cm) ...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Ethnic Studded Disc Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Ethnic Studded Disc Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.45 inches (3.7 cm) Wearable Length: 18.11 inches (46 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTI...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Steampunk Watch Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage steampunk watch necklace. Chunky gold tone chain featuring gears, two small watch dials and a massive watch pendant. Spring ...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Jewelled Resin Pendant Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER jewelled pendant necklace featuring nude color resin elements, faceted clear beads, copper tone hardware. Hook clasp closure. Embossed JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. Indic...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Ethnic Chain Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage antiqued silver tone chunky chain necklace featuring a resin ethnic disc, square links and a tubular drop pendant. Black crystal embellishment. Slips on (...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Mobile Pendant Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER silver tone mobile pendant necklace embellished with light grey crystals. Lobster clasp closure. Marked GAULTIER. Indicative measurements : height approx. 48 cm...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Tribal Enamel Medallion Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Tribal Enamel Medallion Necklace Measurements: Medallion Diameter: 1.81 inches (4.6 cms) Wearable Length: 18.11 inches (46 ...
Vintage Massive JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Padlock Pendant Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Padlock Pendant Necklace Measurements: Padlock Height: 2.75 inches (7 cm) Padlock Width: 2.75 inches (7 cm) Maximum...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Brutalist Medallion Multi Chain Bronze Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Brutalist Medallion Multi Chain Bronze Necklace Measurements: Pendant Drop: 7.08 inches (18 cms) Wearable Length: 15.75 inches (40 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic JEAN PAUL GAULTIER. - Brutalist/ Tribal style mulyi chain necklace with medallion and filigree charms...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Logo Scapular Religious Charm Tiered Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Logo Scapular Religious Charm Tiered Necklace Measurements: DropHeight: 4.33 inches (11 cm) Wearable Length: 15.75 inches ...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Jewelled Heart Lucite Medallion Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Jewelled Heart Lucite Medallion Necklace Measurements: Height: 2.16 inches (5.5 cm) Wearable Length: 26.77 inches ...
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Scapular Saint Charm Necklace
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Scapular Saint Charm Necklace Measurements: Height: 3.54 inches (9 cm) Width: 2.40 inches (6.1 cm) Wearable Leng...