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Jean Paul Gaultier Shop Jean Paul Gaultier
Jean-Paul Gaultier is a French fashion designer and past television presenter. Furthermore he is one of the most talked about and influential couturiers in the world. His designs are always unusual and controversial and he is the darling of the fashion press.

In 1952 Jean-Paul Gaultier was born in Arcueil, France. Gaultier never received formal training as a designer. He studied at the Lycee d'Arcueil.

When only 14, in 1964 he started sketching his fashion ideas on paper. For 2-3 years, he continued this. Instead, he started sending sketches to famous couture stylists at an early age in 1969. Pierre Cardin was impressed by his talent and hired him as an assistant in 1970 on Gaultier’s birthday, 24th April.

In 1971 Gaultier joined Jean Patou, the famous couture house, as Asst. to Michael Gomez, then Angelo Tarlazzi.

In 1973 he joined Jacques Esterel.

Then in 1974 he returned to Pierre Cardin looking after his store in the Philippines, where he designed clothes for Imelda Marcos.

In 1976 Gaultier started to manufacture the first electronic jewellery with his collaborator, Mr. Francis Menuge.

In 1976 in October, he presented his first collection under his own name, at the "Palais de la Decouverte" comprising articles such as furnishings, table sets in plaited straw.

In 1977 he started his own firm, for couture. In 1978 his first collection with partner Kashiyama. He held twice-yearly collections of feminine wear, the most important of which. He has long been known as the “enfant terrible” (bad boy) of French fashion. Many of Gaultier’s following collections have been based on street wear, focusing on popular culture, whereas others, particularly his Haute Couture collections, are very formal yet at the same time unusual and playful. In 1981 Gaultier changed his partner and Kashiyama went back to Japan, where he still produces Gaultier products under licence for Japan and the Far East.

Sales in Italy were handled by Gibo for woven goods and Equator for knits.

In 1984 Gaultier achieved recognition world wide with his men's collection "men in skirts" In Brigitte Bardot's famous film "God Created Woman" men wore trousers like pencil skirts. This inspired his collection.

In 1987, he won the French Fashion Oscar Award.

In 1988 Gaultier launched his jewellery line.

In 1993 Gaultier launched his perfume "Haute Perfumerie".

In 1996 Gaultier designed all the costumes for the film "Fifth Element"
Jean Paul Gaultier