A Brief History Of Jean Paul Gaultier

Pioneer of once-controversial gender-neutral styling, purveyor of exaggerated tailoring, nautical stripes and a certain illustrative design that plays on religious stereotypes, Jean Paul Gaultier’s signature handwriting has earned itself iconic status in the fashion industry over the past 40 years. The Parisian-born creative is best known for his prestigious namesake label, which now focuses solely on its haute couture line and continues to produce innovative, sometimes controversial collections season after season.

From the age of eight, the future designer showed an interest in fashion and design, so it was perhaps no surprise to those who knew him when, at 18, he sent out examples of his work to a range of ateliers by way of application. This venture ultimately earned Gaultier a position at Pierre Cardin where he learned the art of formal design.

1976 marked the launch of his first solo presentation, a cutting-edge selection of his now-signature features; statement sailor-inspired suiting, sharp silhouettes and an aesthetic that blurred the lines between masculine and feminine style. However, it wasn’t until six years later that he officially launched his own design house and a further three years after that when he opened his first store in Paris.

Not content with the stir that his 1984 menswear collection caused when he first sent male models down the runway in mid-length skirts and biker boots, Gaultier went on to make headlines in 1990 when he designed Madonna’s iconic conical bras, and again in 1993 when he launched his namesake fragrance.

1997 saw the launch of Gaultier’s haute couture line, which he continued to be a part of whilst acting as Creative Director at Hermès between the years of 2003 and 2010. He left Hermès with a view to concentrate solely on his own label but just a year later, Gaultier moved once again – this time to Diet Coke. Here, he lead the aesthetic across all creative platforms and designed a range of the brand’s eponymous glass drinks bottles, following prestigious predecessors such as Matthew Williamson, Roberto Cavalli and (perhaps most famously) Karl Lagerfeld. Perfecting the art of versatility, Gaultier’s collaborations include not only Hermès and Diet Coke but expand into the lingerie industry as well. In 2011, he created his first intimates collection alongside luxury label, La Perla.

Today, the Jean Paul Gaultier fashion house works solely on the couture line after the designer closed his ready to wear and menswear labels in 2014 to allow for a more concentrated effort in this area. AW17’s collection took inspiration from ski culture, with sharply-shouldered silhouettes fastening at the front with statement zips, block-colour panelling mimicking traditional sporting attire and bejewelled necklines nodding to the lavish lifestyle found in the likes of Val d’Isère and Verbier.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.