Jean Paul Gaultier
50 years of outrageous genius
A fashion king has officially said goodbye to fashion.
Jean Paul Gaultier recently bid farewell to the fashion world with a massive 50th anniversary show. Held at the storied Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Gaultier’s final show opened with Boy George singing Amy Winehouse’s iconic “Back to Black” against a backdrop of models in funky fetish-inspired ensembles. Soon after, a sort of funeral procession commenced, with six pallbearers carrying a black coffin adorned with giant cone nipples – a nod to the legendary conical bra and corset that Gaultier designed for Madonna’s 1990 “Blond Ambition” tour. Out of the coffin came a bride in an all-white gown, which drew a roar of approval from the packed space of 1,500.
The show attracted just about every important name in fashion – Dries Van Noten, Christian Louboutin, and Kenzo Takada just to name a few – and featured Gaultier’s famous fetish catwalkers (like Yasmin Le Bon and Rossy de Palma), as well as models-of-the-moment Gigi & Bella Hadid. 250 looks strutted down the runway, both classic (Madonna’s corset, worn by Irina Shayk) and new (Gaultier debuted his new collection, Haute Couture Upcycling). Whether classic or new, however, the show stayed true to Gaultier’s signature aesthetic, with luxurious gowns and exaggerated shoulders aplenty.
Jean Pal Gaultier started his career in 1970 as an assistant to Pierre Cardin, who loved the sketches Gaultier had been sending him. He later managed one of Cardin’s boutiques in Manilla, Philippines in 1974. During this time, he began to dress the first lady of the Philippines, the infamous Imelda Marcos, who was known for her style and lavish spending. Gaultier eventually became so popular in the Philippines that he had trouble getting an exit visa from the government. In 1976, Gaultier produced and showed his first collection at a Paris planetarium, and it was this show that first paired motorcycle jackets with delicate dresses – now one of his most famous contributions to the fashion world. He opened his first fashion house in 1982 and was one of the first designers to be inspired not by luxurious opulence, but by what people were wearing on the streets around him. He met Madonna in 1987 after one of her concerts, and, well, we all know how that turned out. He designed 358 costumes for the “Blond Ambition” tour, and from that point on, Gaultier had become known around the world as an icon and haute couture master.
Over his last 50 years in the industry, Jean Paul Gaultier has completely changed the landscape of fashion with his brand. He pushed couture to new levels and consistently found ways to one-up himself each and every season. His impact will be felt for years to come, and his final show more than cemented his status as a true fashion legend.
