Jean Paul Gaultier
The irrepressible Jean Paul Gaultier has been creating inclusive fashion since 1976. From growing up in the suburbs, his extraordinary destiny has seen him become one of the greatest couturiers in the world, without attending fashion school. Thanks to his audacity, talent, irreverence and humour, of course!
DIFFERENT IS BEAUTIFUL
“I love to blend clothes, people, social classes, genres... and have fun with it“. Well before he said that, Jean Paul Gaultier made inclusivity, diversity and the mixing of genres the uplifting pillars of his world. A world in which people of every colour, shape and identity are celebrated! For Jean Paul, this vision of the world is more than political, it’s natural, celebratory. Some may call it provocative, but he simply wants to show the world in all its diversity.
CULT FRAGRANCES
In 1993, Jean Paul Gaultier set himself a new challenge and created his first fragrance, Classique. Its success was instant, this wonderful object of desire winning fans all over. Primarily for its contents – an all-consuming combination of vanilla, orange blossom and ginger – and the iconic bottle with its sensual curves, of course. Its masculine alter ego, Le Male, went the same way, becoming another of the best-selling fragrances in the world. With its fresh notes of lavender and mint, Le Male is seriously sexy, ready to seduce anything in its wake! This obsession with sensual accords has become synonymous with the House of Gaultier, which continues to create fragrances with instant appeal. From the aptly named Scandal with its captivating honey notes, to the intoxicating new duo La Belle and Le Beau that stretch out the summer with notes of pear (for her) and coconut (for him), there are various deliciously addictive creations to choose from.
HAUTE COUTURE
In 1996, after 20 years of ready-to-wear, Jean Paul Gaultier made his grand entrance into Haute Couture. The enfant terrible became the couturier terrible! He reinvented Haute Couture by putting exceptional French savoir-faire at the service of his obsession for combining different genres, cultures and materials. Jean Paul Gaultier’s motto is simple but ambitious, nothing is impossible! The ateliers then work their magic in bringing the designer’s ideas to life; some pieces require hundreds of hours of work and rare craftsmanship techniques to make. Since 2021, the fashion house has been inviting new designers to express their vision of the Jean Paul Gaultier world each season.
POP ICON
Of course, Jean Paul Gaultier has dressed some of the biggest names in pop culture. He’s even done some world tours! Not as a singer, but on account of his designs, having created stage outfits for legends such as Madonna, Mylène Farmer and Kylie Minogue. On the big screen, Jean Paul has also made his mark, creating crazy costumes for films by Pedro Almodóvar, Luc Besson and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. He’s received two Cesar nominations himself. And when Marion Cotillard collected her Oscar, she wore a mermaid dress by Jean Paul Gaultier! Today, a new generation of icons is joining the extended JPG family. Among them: Dua Lipa, Christine and the Queens, Lil Nas X, Kim Kardashian, Rosalía… welcome to the House of Gaultier!