Jean Paul Gaultier
After working under legendary fashion houses like Pierre Cardin, Jean Paul Gaultier launched his eponymous label in 1976 with gender-bending designs that earned him the title of enfant terrible of the fashion world. Brimming with inspiration from the streets of working-class Paris, the Gaultier aesthetic boldly reinvents classic womenswear silhouettes with unconventional takes on theater, costume, uniform, and dance wear. Corsets, trench coats, and blazers push boundaries between masculine and feminine expression. Iconic mesh long sleeves and leggings feature graphic designs, prints, and stripes alluding to Gaultier’s fascination with the archetypal sailor, while boudoir-inspired convertible outerwear offers endless versatility in styling. Balancing a sophisticated and grunge aesthetic, the Gaultier house merges the functional wear of the working class with the glitz and glamour of theatrics, resulting in convention-slashing couture and ready-to-wear.
