Jean Paul Gaultier Jeans Section:
Jean-Paul Gaultier was born in Arcueil, near Paris, in 1952. In 1971 he 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 1977 Jean Paul Gaultier started his own couture company. Today the brand is known worldwide.
Jean-Paul Gaultier is one of the most talked about and influential couturiers in the world. His designs are always unusual and controversial and he is known to be the darling of the fashion press. Jean-Paul Gaultier was born in Arcueil, near Paris on April 24 in 1952 . When only 14 he started sketching his fashion ideas on paper. For 2 -3 years, he continued this and in 1969 he sent his designs to all the major designers. In 1970 on his birthday he got his first response from Pierre Cardin inviting him to work with him for a year.
After working for Pierre Cardin, Gaultier joined Jean Patou, the famous couture house, as assistant 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 October of that year, he presented his first collection under his own name, at the "Palais de la Decouverte" comprising articles such as furnishings and table sets in plaited straw.
A year later he started his own couture firm. His first collection was born in 1978 with partner Kashiyama. He held twice-yearly collections of feminine wear.
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 is what inspired his collection.
His 1985 Autumn/Winter collection included a Dalmatian spotted hat and black and whitesuit. Two years later, Gaultier presented a silver Christmas dress of silver stretchy fabric, in icy design with futuristic sleeves.
Jean-Paul Gaultier also won the French Fashion Oscar Award in 1997.
In 1988 Gaultier launched his jewellery line. In 1989 his collection had several designs with a corset theme. In 1990 he designed an outfit based on the artist Degas' painting
of a ballet dancer.
The same year, Gaultier designed for Madonna's world tour to promote her 'Blonde Ambition' album. Three years later Gaultier launched his perfume "Haute Perfumerie". His 1994 collection showed garments suitable for Mongolian climate, yet he tempered the arctic look with searing colours and printed shirts. Other outfits in 1994 include the Oriental look, in crushed velvet, a tuxedo in navy wool, and linen jackets. In 1996 Gaultier designed all the costumes for the film "Fifth Element" directed by Luc Besson.
That same year, Jean-Paul Gaultier presented his cowboy designs along with other outfits and also a layered look
of multi-coloured scarves.
The Jean-Paul Gaultier Style
Gaultier does not like primary colours, he prefers ivory and half tones. He is a designer who has made his reputation by attaching 12" conical breasts to Madonna and putting men in Lycra jumpsuits covered in small diamond shaped mirrors.
As his fantasies glide down the runway, you can see backless T-shirts, cutaway jackets with more space between than fabric, a riot of prints, insanely skirted mens pants and beautiful women. Very little is what one would expect. This sets him apart from other controversial designers. He starts with some classic point, something people are familiar with like a blazer, or a chemise, then he deforms it, knots it, stamps on it, but retains its basic shape.
Gaultier's vision of 21st century clothing is spray-on disposable clothes, seamless and without openings. To take it off, one would pull firmly and throw away. According to Gaultier, our clothing has not changed drastically up till the 20th century, and styles and construction have not kept pace with advances in technology. He says changes are imminent. He will probably be the designer putting them into practice
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