Jean-Paul Gaultier was born on April 24, 1952 in Arcueil, France. He studied at the Ecole Communale, the College d’Enseignement, and at the Lycee d’Arcueil. When he reached the age of 17, he sent his design sketches to Paris designer Pierre Cardin. Cardin recognized his talent and offered him a position as design assistant; he worked for Cardin for two years. Gauliter then worked for the couture houses of Jacques Esterel, Jean Patou, Angelo Tarlazzi and Michael Goma.
In 1976, Gaultier launched his design career under his label for a company called Mayagor, as well as continuing to design free-lance ready-to-wear furs, swimwear, and leather clothing. In 1978, Gaultier presented his first collection. In 1982, financed by the Japanese consortium Kashiyama, Gaultier established his own business. During the 1980s, he was known as the designer who emphasized broad shoulders and narrow hips. But he is mainly known for his obsession with gender. Hiscollections showed men in skirts and women wearing underwear on the outside. In 1987 Gaultier received the coveted French Designer of the Year Award. Gaultier presented his first haute couture collection in 1997 and two years later in 1999, with financial backing from Maison Hermès he was able to increase his reputation and his distribution, with the establishment of a network of boutiques bearing his name. In 2003, he was appointed creative director at Hermes. In 2004, he launched a young denim and sportswear line. BPI launched Gaultier's "Fragile" fragrance in 2000; the package featuring a tiny figure dressed in Gaultier’s couture. Meanwhile, the designer expanded his licensee list with the additions of companies such as Wolford, an Austrian luxury hosiery firm. Gaultier has created costumes for films of Peter Greenaway, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Pedro Almodóvar, and Luc Besson. He has made stage costumes for Madonna, (Madonna's conical bra), and the dancerand choreographer Régine Chopin. Gaultier's latest innovation is a makeupline for men, which he pioneered in 2004. He also launched an eyewear collection in 2006.
Known For
Enigma
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2025
Thierry Mugler – Modeschöpfer und Showman
2024
In France with Madonna
Self
2022
Drag Race France
Self - Guest Judge · (1 episode)
2022
George Michael: Freedom Uncut
Self
2022
Queen Lear – Die Leben der Amanda Lear
Self
2022
Nabilla : Sans filtre
Self · (2 episodes)
2021
Madame X Presents: Madame Xtra Q&A
Self
2021
Mylène Farmer - Dans Le Cœur Des Français
Self
2021
Martin Margiela: In His Own Words
Self
2020
La Grande Histoire de l'Eurovision
Self
2020
La semaine des 4 Julie
Self - Judge · (1 episode)
2020
House of Cardin
Self
2019
Jean Paul Gaultier : Freak & Chic
Self
2018
Bonsoir !
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2018
Jean Paul Gaultier fait son show
Self - Host
2018
George Michael: Freedom
Self
2017
Madonna: Rebel Heart Tour
Self - Unapologetic Bitch
2016
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie
Jean Paul Gaultier
2016
The First Monday in May
Self
2016
Fashion Scandals
self
2016
Mylène Farmer : sur les pas d'une icône
Self
2015
The Artist Is Absent : A Short Film On Martin Margiela
Himself (designer)
2015
Un soir à la tour Eiffel
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Mademoiselle C
Self
2013
Fashion !
Self · (1 episode)
2012
Gaga by Gaultier
Self
2011
Danse avec les stars
Self - Judge · (22 episodes)
2011
The Day Before
Self · (1 episode)
2010
The September Issue
Self
2009
La Traversée du désir
Self
2009
Starz Inside: Fashion in Film
Self
2008
Projectorparishilton
(1 episode)
2008
Mon Clown
Self
2008
The Graham Norton Show
Self · (1 episode)
2007
Salut les Terriens !
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2006
The Dark Side of Porn: Death of a Porn Star
Self
2005
Kinky Gerlinky
Self
2003
Eurotrash Unzipped
Self - Presenter
2001
Absolutely Fabulous
Le créateur
2001
Vivement dimanche
Self · (2 episodes)
1998
In and Out of Fashion
Self (archive footage)
1998
Leute heute
Self · (1 episode)
1997
Pierre and Gilles, Love Stories
1997
Catwalk
Self
1995
Prêt-à-Porter
Self
1994
MTV Europe Music Awards
Self - Host · (1 episode)
1994
NeXt
Self · (1 episode)
1994
Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue!
1994
La Machine Mode
Himself
1994
Eurotrash
Self - Presenter · (25 episodes)
1993
Absolutely Fabulous
Self · (1 episode)
1992
The Look
Self · (1 episode)
1992
Madonna: Truth or Dare
Self
1991
Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter
Self
1990
Les Nuls, l'émission
Self · (1 episode)
1990
Sacrée soirée
Self · (1 episode)
1987
Nulle part ailleurs
Self · (1 episode)
1987
Mode in France
Self
1985
Champs-Elysées
Self · (2 episodes)
1982
Bambi-Verleihung
Self · (1 episode)
1948