Jean Paul Gaultier

The What If? Metropolis

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About Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier was born in Arcueil, Paris on 24
th
April 1952, He is a fashion designer that has a extensive range of
collections. His specialty is haute couture which translates to high dressmaking or high fashion, which is handmade
using expensive unusual materials, often for a wealthy individual.

He had no previous fashion design training, he made his break by sending sketches he did to various couture stylists. He
got rejected at first from Marc Bohan, the design director at Dior, however he persisted to send his sketches out and on
his 18
th
birthday he got a reply from the house of Cardin. He met with Pierre Cardin who offered him a job as his
assistant.

He is known as the enfant terrible of French fashion, which Is an expression which means someone who is a genius
with very unorthodox , striking or rebellious ideas/designs. Its someone who isnt afraid to shake up the establishment
and challenge it.

Infamously known for the cone bra he created for Madonna on her 1990 Blonde Ambition Tour, this made him somewhat
of a fashion icon. Gaultier has also worked on costume design for films, including The Fifth Element.
About Jean Paul Gaultier
At the age of 13 he was creating dress designs for his mother and grandmother, he spent most of his time with his
grandmother and she was a huge inspiration to him.

In 1976 he established his own fashion label, he created a whole punk range which pushed the boundaries of fashion. He
also used strange models for the run way including pregnant women, OAPs, Animals and midgets.

Gaultier also tried to break the rules of gender stereotypes in fashion by introducing the man skirt, he would always try to
balance out the design with some masculinity.

He won the French designer of the year award in 1987.

Influences

Sailors are a big
inspiration for
Gaultier and are
present in his designs
still. The blue and
white stripes keep
making an appearance
Camden town influenced
Gaultiers Punk couture,
he used to visit London
and soak in the energy.
Gaultiers grandmother was
a huge inspiration, she used
to let him watch any TV
programs he wanted
including burlesque shows.
He was also fascinated by
her corsets which led him
to make Madonas cone bra
He also found inspiration
from various other
traditions from China,
Mongolia and Mexico. He
made a Urban jungle range
which is a medley of these
inspirations.
Gaultier was also fascinated
with body art and tattoos,
his first male garments
emulated this.
Metropolis is a range that
Gaultier does which uses
modern and advanced
materials to create a piece.
Its a collaboration of his
work that have been in
films like the Fifth Element.
Also slightly inspired from
the 1927 film.