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 c.1995 Vintage Sheer Mesh Top & Leggings Pants 2 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier c.1995 Vintage "S&M" Print Tattoo Sheer Mesh Top & Leggings Pants 2 Piece Set Please note the size and fabric tags have been removed, it will fit size XS-M due to...
Jean Paul Gaultier knitted wool floral sweater and stirrup pants set, fw 1984
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Jean Paul Gaultier; knitted wool ensemble. - Oversized knitted cream sweater with floral tapestry style pattern - High waisted stirrup pants with elasti...
Jean Paul Gaultier set 'Puzzle' Winter 2001
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER - (Made in Italy) Set composed of a short black wool jacket and a mid-length orange transparent blouse, with black wool suit-jacket-style finishing. No size indica...
Jean Paul Gaultier Spring Summer 1998 text calligraphy Spanish mesh sheer set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Jean Paul Gaultier spring summer 1998 set, size L, the tag on the top is missing, excellent condition
Jean Paul Gaultier Asymmetric Tuxedo Suit SS 1990
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
- Spring / Summer 1990 Runway collection by Jean Paul Gaultier - Sold by Mae Vintage - Deconstructed Asymmetric tuxedo jacket and high waisted pencil leg trousers
$616Sale Price|20% Off
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SS 2001 co-ord mesh shirt and trousers Bacteria print
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Genève, CH
Co-ord set with iconic Bacteria print from Gaultier SS 2001, fantastic condition. Made in Italy. Set is Top is in size XL, made of extremely flexible polyamide mesh and can fit from...
Jean Paul Gaultier Bondage Cone Bra Top and Mini Skirt 2 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Bondage Cone Bra Knit Top and Mini Mesh Semi Sheer Panels Skirt 2 Piece Set Please note size tag has been removed. This set will f...
Jean Paul Gaultier brown and blue pinstripe pant suit, ss 1997
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Jean Paul Gaultier brown and blue pinstripe pant suit ▪ Long double-breasted blazer jacket ▪ Straight-leg pants ▪ Black silk collar and buttons ▪ Blue pattern at the cuffs and h...
Jean-Paul Gaultier men set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER - (Made in France) Set composed of a woolen striped sweater and trousers with black buttons. Size 50IT. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Sweater: Shoul...
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Deep Purple Skirt Suit
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Femme deep dusty purple skirt suit. Jacket features an exaggerated rounded edge shirt collar and six large distressed brass...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, black long sleeve jumpsuit zipper back and flared bottoms
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingston, NY
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, black long sleeve jumpsuit zipper back and flared bottoms. Made of man-made stretchy material. Zipper closure at the back of the neck. Size; US 8 Measurements; ...
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2007 Embroidered Sheer Hooded Jacket & Dress 2 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2007 Embroidered Sheer Hooded Jacket & Dress 2 Piece Set Please note size tags have been removed.
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique S/S 2000 Abstract Top & Skirt Ensemble 2 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique S/S 2000 Abstract Psychedelic Print Sheer Mesh Top & Maxi Skirt Ensemble 2 Piece Set Please note the size tag on the skirt is L and the top is M.
Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 1992 Vintage Faces Mesh Cardigan, Top & Skirt 3 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Iconic Faces Print Mesh Cardigan, Top & Skirt 3 Piece Set Size S Excellent Condition
Jean-Paul Gaultier men set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
JEAN-PAUL GAUTLIER - (Made in Italy) Set composed of a red striped sweater and navy-blue pants. Missing size label, it fits a 42FR. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Sweat...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage S/S 1999 ‘Venus De Milo’ Print Co-ord Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Jean Paul Gaultier Spring Summer 1999 printed set from the ‘Venus De Milo’ collection. Top features a rounded neck (optioned to wear it off shoulder as pictured) with long sleeves an...
1990S JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Poly/Nylon Mesh Vegas Queen Of Hearts Geometric Top &
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
1990S JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Poly/Nylon Mesh Vegas Queen Of Hearts Geometric Top & Leggings Ensemble
Jean Paul Gaultier Cyber Jumpsuit
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
Jean Paul Gaultier Cyber Jumpsuit. Size XL Condition: New, with tags.
Jean Paul Gaultier red cyber dot printed lycra hooded catsuit, fw 1995
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Jean Paul Gaultier red cyber dot catsuit ▪ Iconic dots printed in the form of a female body ▪ Fitted hood ▪ Metal zipper ▪ Size Medium ▪ 78% Nylon, 22%...
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2000 Psychedelic Dress & Leggings Ensemble 2 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2000 Runway Abstract Psychedelic Print Dress & Leggings Ensemble 2 Piece Set
$2,569Sale Price|20% Off
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 1994 "Les Tatouages" baroque sculptures money dollar t-s
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Milano, IT
- Runway Look 6,12 - Banknote cotton print t-shirt and leggings set - Raw cut - Crewneck t-shirt - T-shirt fit over - Leggings fitted to the body - Spring Summer 1994 - Size: Top ...
Denim outfit by Jean Paul Gaultier: vintage 90s top and skirt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Genova, IT
JPG denim skirt and top set, 90s and Y2K aesthetic ABOUT A beautiful all-denim outfit from the Jean's Paul Gaultier line, consisting of a button-up crop top with short sleeves and ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Gibo 1980s Vintage Red Wool Safety Pin Jacket & Skirt Suit
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Jean Paul Gaultier Gibo Vintage 80s Red Wool Safety Pin Jacket & Skirt Suit This is a highly collectible Jean Paul Gaultier produced by Gibo skir...
Jean Paul Gaultier cream linen three piece pant suit, ss 1997
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Jean Paul Gaultier cream linen three piece pant suit comprising: double breasted blazer jacket, bolero sleeve-jacket attaches with a button of the jacket, and wide leg pants. Spring...
Purple silk jacket and trouser ensemble JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Purple silk jacket and trouser ensemble . Hidden button and buttonhole closure on the middle front and on the pocket flap. Gather on the waist on the back. SIZE 38/M
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage F/W 2001 Print Mesh Co-ord Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Jean Paul Gaultier Fall Winter 2001 embroidered mesh co-ord. Features high roll neck, colorblock panels of purple, green, black and red, mohair trimmings, embroidered 3-D words and d...
Jean Paul Gaultier c.1996 Vintage Dot Mesh Crop Top & Leggings Pants 2 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier c.1996 Vintage Dots Sheer Mesh Crop Top & Leggings Pants 2 Piece Set IT 40 Please note the crop top's designer, size and fabric tags h...
$2,160Sale Price|20% Off
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 1996 Cyberbaba Mesh Foil Print Top & Skirt Ensemble
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
Dating to the iconic S/S 1996 Cyberbaba collection, this two piece ensemble comprises a stretchy semi-sheer mesh top that was worn by Helena Christensen on the runway & matching ...
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2010 Runway Cone Bra Bustier Red Romper Jumpsuit
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2010 Runway Cone Bra Bustier Red Romper Jumpsuit IT 38
Jean Paul Gaultier green and black knitted wool feathered skirt suit, fw 1991
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Jean Paul Gaultier knitted skirt suit ▪ 100% Wool ▪ Green feathered collar ▪ Cream and green checkered trim ▪ Green above-the-knee fitted skirt ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ F...
Jean Paul Gaultier Brown Check High Waisted Suspender Shorts
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is excited to offer a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier black and white check ultra-high waisted knee-length shorts with attached black suspenders and black lace at the hem. J...
Jean Paul Gaultier Cyber dot red ensemble 95FW
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Jean Paul Gaultier iconic red cyber dot two pieces top and leggings from 1995 f/w. Cropped long sleeve top that closes high on the neck, comes with a zipper closure. High waisted le...
Jean Paul Gaultier Cyber Jumpsuit
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
Jean Paul Gaultier Cyber Jumpsuit. Size S Condition: New, with tags.
Jean Paul Gaultier Orange Wool Skirt Suit Ensemble
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier orange wool skirt ensemble. The fitted jacket features peak lapels, a fitted body, front flap pockets, and black...
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2008 Halter Cutout Back Belted Romper Jumpsuit
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2008 Halter Cutout Back Belted Romper Jumpsuit IT 38
Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 1999 Flamingo Print Mesh Top & Pants 2 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 1999 Logo Flamingo Print Mesh Top & Pants 2 Piece Set Size M/L Please note the size tag on the pants indicates size M. The top is missing the size tag ...
2005 runway faux fur leopard Bernhard Willhelm skirt suit
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Austin, TX
2005 runway faux fur leopard Bernhard Willhelm skirt suit Excellent condition Made in Belgium JACKET: Shoulder: free, Bust: 44" ,Waist: free,Hip: free,Length: 40" SKIRT: Waist: 36", ...
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...
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Bronze Metallic Jumpsuit & Cropped Jacket Ensemble
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier bronze metallic & black knit sleeveless jumpsuit with matching crop top / jacket featuring three-quarter length sleeves. The jumpsuit has a invisible z...
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 1990 ‘Rhapsodie in blue’ Black one shoulder jumpsuit
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Milano, IT
- Jean Paul Gaultier Black one shoulder jumpsuit - Sold by Skof.Archive - Spring-Summer 1990 ‘Rhapsodie in blue’ - Fitted to the body - Backside martingale side zipper closure - ...
Top and skirt ensemble with abstract print and green belt JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Top and skirt rayon jersey ensemble with abstract print and green silk taffetas belt. SIZE 42 (It) 38 (Fr) M
Iconic Gaultier Junior 1990s Green Second Skin Hooded Jumpsuit with Corset Seams
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in CACHAN, FR
Rare and striking jumpsuit by Jean Paul Gaultier Junior, dating from the 1990s and exemplifying the designer’s iconic exploration of the body and garment construction. Crafted in a ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 2002 Portraits Faces Crop Top & Pants 2 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 2002 "Portraits" Faces Print Sheer Mesh Wrap Crop Top & Pants Ensemble 2 Piece Set Size M
Jean Paul Gaultier Tattoo Sheer Fishnet Mesh Top & Leggings Pants 2 Piece Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Jean Paul Gaultier Tattoo Print Sheer Fishnet Mesh Top & Leggings Pants 2 Piece Set Size XS
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Navy Blue Jumpsuit with Syncretic Motif Print
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER (JUNIOR GAULTIER line) vintage jumpsuit made of lightweight navy blue fabric adorned with a all-over print composed of syncretic symbols—including the yin-yang, Ha...
$1,248Sale Price|25% Off
Jean Paul Gaultier Sheer Mesh Cheetah Print Cardigan and Skirt Ensemble Size M
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER FUZZI sheer mesh cheetah print ensemble including a cardigan and a skirt. CARDIGAN features : - FUZZI sheer mesh cheetah print fabric with flocked velvet. - Front...
Jean-Paul Gaultier men set 2003
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER -Set composed of a white cotton skort with silvery metal buttons, ad a Breton-style cotton jersey T-shirt with blue and off-white stripes, with corduroy knitting h...
1990S Jean Paul Gaultier Multicolor Printed Silk Overalls Dress Bias
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
1990S Jean Paul Gaultier Multicolor Printed Silk Overalls Dress Bias
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Fuschia Velvet and Wool Jersey Ensemble
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Gibo fuschia velvet and wool jersey jacket/tunic and skirt ensemble. Jacket/tunic is baseball style with inset wool jersey sle...
Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 1995 Cyberdots Top & Leggings Set
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
Dating to the F/W 1995 Mad Max themed 'Cyber' collection, Jean Paul Gaultier's already iconic Victor Vasarely inspired Cyberdot pieces have reached new heights of desirability after ...
Jean Paul Gaultier metallic gold sequin t-shirt and leggings set, ss 1991
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
▪ Jean Paul Gaultier evening t-shirt and leggings set ▪ Gold metallic sequins printed with floral motifs ▪ Knitted band trim in red, orange and blue ▪ Fitted to the body ▪ IT 42 - F...