In spring of 1952 (April 24) in the Parisian suburb of Arqueil in a completely normal family was born a perfectly normal boy. His parents did not belong to an aristocratic class: his father was an accountant and his mother – a salesperson. Jean Paul spent a lot of time with his grandmother, who later became his “guide to the world of fashion”. It was in her closet where the future designer would find corsets, gloves and basques. His first “mannequin” would become a teddy bear Nana.

Later Gaultier also wanted to become a hairdresser, but at the same time in his mind he designed clothes and put them down on a paper. These sketches were sent to various fashion houses. The young talent was noticed by Pierre Cardin, who appointed him as assistant at the age of 18.

In 1976 Jean Paul and his friend Francis Menuge venture on a very risky move – to create their own business. Minimum of means, maximum of talent and an intoxicating sense of freedom. His first collection was composed of improvised materials: napkins, paper clips, tablecloths and various trinkets. The failure was due to another fashion show, which took place at the same time. And it was the failure that gave the necessary impetus for the rebellious burst. Gaultier did not give up, but rather “rolled up his sleeves” and continued to create and amaze… His shows would take places in the most inappropriate places: a train depot, a former prison. In those places, where apparently the fashion could not and should not exist by definition.

80s were marked by an upheaval of fashionable aesthetics and a blur of the boundary between male and female sexuality. One after another appear collections «Le Dadaisme» in 1983, «L’home- objet» in 1984, «Une garde-robe pour deux» in 1985, and others. New “masculine” beauty, sexuality and temptation brake into the world of fashion. Appear daring low necks, skirts, dresses and fur fringes. Women’s fashion shows are also distinguished by originality and a full discharge of accepted canons. Underwear from its “lower” category goes to the “top” one. What just one famous pointed Madonna’s bra is worth … well it is worth a lot, we must assume.

In 1997 the designer was accepted to the Haute Couture syndicate and two years later the Hermes owners buy 35% of the shares in the fashion house Gaultier. For seven years Jean Paul worked successfully for the Hermes brand but their paths diverged in October 2010, when he presented the last spring-summer 2011 collection.

Jean Paul Gaultier was never afraid to shock the audience, but rather has sought it. He was fascinated by the study of different cultures, religions and ethnic groups. Designer engaged in his work not only models known for their beauty, but also actresses, dancers, dwarfs and elderly people. For him there exist no taboos; fancy borders and stereotypes are easily erased. Lack of inspiration and creative torments had never worried the master. On the contrary, he was filed and infused with inspiration and was constantly looking for the opportunity to embody his plans on the podium and in the movies: he created the costumes for the well-known Luc Besson’s “5th Element” movie.

In September 2014 Jean-Paul presented his last prêt-a-porter collection deciding to focus on Haute Couture. Another rebellious act, a reaction to commercial limitations not allowing implementing into reality all imagined designer.

Photo Credits: Jean Paul Gaultier / Rainer Torrado / Patrice Stable / Emil Larsson / Paolo Roversi / Tanel Bedrossiantz