Jean Paul Gaultier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean-Paul Gaultier
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Gaultier in 2006
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| Born | 24 April 1952 Arcueil, France
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Label(s)
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| Partner(s) | Francis Menuge (from 1975; died 1990) |
Jean Paul Gaultier (born April 24, 1952) is a famous French fashion designer. He is known for creating both haute couture (one-of-a-kind, handmade outfits) and prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear clothes sold in stores).
He is often called the "enfant terrible" (French for "terrible child") of fashion because his designs were often shocking and broke the rules. He was famous for using unique items in his work, like corsets, striped sailor shirts called marinières, and even tin cans. Gaultier started his own fashion brand in 1982 and later created a popular line of perfumes in 1993.
From 2003 to 2010, he was the main designer for the famous French brand Hermès. In January 2020, he retired from creating fashion shows after a big 50th-anniversary show in Paris.
Gaultier also designed amazing costumes for movies and music stars. He created the famous cone bra that Madonna wore on her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. He also designed costumes for films like The Fifth Element (1997) and The City of Lost Children (1995).
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Fashion
Gaultier grew up in a suburb of Paris, France. His mother was a clerk and his father was an accountant. He fell in love with fashion thanks to his grandmother, Marie Garrabe.
He never went to a special school to learn design. Instead, he started drawing his ideas and sending them to famous fashion designers when he was very young. The designer Pierre Cardin was so impressed that he hired Gaultier as an assistant in 1970.
He later worked for other designers like Jacques Esterel and Jean Patou. He even managed a Pierre Cardin store in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, for a year.
Career in Fashion
Creating His Own Style
Gaultier showed his first collection in 1976. At first, many people thought his designs were too wild. But important fashion editors loved his creativity and skill. Their support helped start his career.
In 1982, he started his own fashion company. His 1983 "Boy Toy" collection made the striped sailor shirt, or marinière, a popular item for men. He also became famous for designing skirts for men in 1984, which was a very new idea at the time. That same year, he created the iconic corset with a cone-shaped bra.
By 1985, his brand was a huge success. Pop star Madonna helped make him even more famous when she wore one of his skirts. He also launched a more affordable clothing line called Junior Gaultier.
In the late 1980s, Gaultier faced a sad personal loss when his partner and business partner, Francis Menuge, passed away. After this, he decided to make his fashion shows smaller and more personal.
Building a Global Brand
In 1993, Gaultier launched his first perfume, "Classique," which became very popular. He continued to create new clothing lines, including a unisex collection (for both men and women) called JPG by Gaultier.
In 1999, the luxury brand Hermès bought a part of his company. From 2003 to 2010, Gaultier became the head designer for Hermès's women's clothing. This was a huge honor and showed how respected he was in the fashion world.
In 2011, a museum in Montreal, Canada, created a special exhibit about his work called "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk." The exhibit traveled to major cities around the world, including New York, London, and Paris.
In 2014, Gaultier announced he would stop making ready-to-wear clothes to focus only on haute couture. He officially retired from fashion shows in 2020 with a final spectacular show celebrating his 50 years in fashion.
Music and TV Appearances
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Gaultier has always loved music and television. In 1988, he released a dance song called "How To Do That."
He is a big fan of the Eurovision Song Contest. He has designed dresses for several performers, including Anggun for France in 2012. He even co-hosted the contest's final for French television in 2008.
From 1993 to 1997, he was a co-host on the popular British TV show Eurotrash. More recently, he appeared as a guest judge on the show Drag Race France.
Gaultier's Unique Style
Gaultier is known for his fun and rebellious style. He was called the enfant terrible of French fashion because he loved to break the rules and surprise people.
His designs were often inspired by street wear and pop culture. His haute couture collections were very formal and detailed, but always with a playful twist. He said he was inspired by television and the bold styles he saw on the street.
Gaultier was one of the first designers to use models of all shapes, sizes, and ages. He had older men, women with tattoos and piercings, and curvy models walk in his shows. He challenged old ideas about what was beautiful and what men and women should wear. This made him both popular and controversial.
He is also credited with starting the "granny grey" hair trend after his 2011 fashion show featured models with grey beehive hairstyles.
Famous Designs and Costumes
Gaultier has created unforgettable looks for many stars and movies.
- Madonna: He designed her famous cone bra for her 1990 tour and also created outfits for her 2006 tour.
- Movie Costumes: He designed the futuristic outfits for the movie The Fifth Element and the fantasy costumes for The City of Lost Children.
- Marion Cotillard: He designed the beautiful mermaid dress she wore when she won an Oscar in 2008.
- Other Stars: He has also designed for singers like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kylie Minogue.
Images for kids
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Gaultier became well-known for his cone-breasted designs in the 1980s.
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A dress made of woven grass that looks like feathers.
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A unique design that combines a halo with a lace mask.
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A creative look from a Jean Paul Gaultier show.
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A costume designed by Gaultier for his "Fashion Freak Show" in 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Jean-Paul Gaultier para niños
