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Jean Paul Gaultier

By SARA TEMPLETON

Perhaps one of the most recognised names in the fashion industry, French-born Gaultier is famous for many things, one of them fashion.

There's a lot you can say about Gaultier. He has a massive following in Europe, America and Japan and has always maintained a cheeky demeanour throughout his long career. And what about slowing down? Forget that.

You have to remember that Gaultier, while a simple fashion designer at heart, did more than most. He designed Madonna's (in)famous gold leather corset for her Blonde Ambition tour, he regularly sends male models down the catwalk wearing skirts and now he is the star of new marketing campaign for a car company.

However, it wasn't all fame, fortune and frivolity for the Frenchman. Born on the 24 April 1952, in Paris, Gaultier was on the scene from a young age. He was actively involved in clothing design at the age of 18, getting a gig at Pierre Cardin.

The Frenchman recounts this new job: "When I crossed the threshold of his fashion house, mother being with me, I was so scared. I didn't even know what he looked like. He hired me at 500 francs a month. I accepted.

"I learned so much. The year was 1970, at a time when Cardin was someone very important in the fashion industry, he had already done it all. But he never stayed static.

"From one minute to the other, he might decide to start all over: relegate a scrap of fabric to the shoe department, bring up a fabric to slip it into his next collection. Everything was possible. When he opened his Theatre des Ambassadeurs, I was allowed to design the furniture, the plates".

Indeed, Gaultier's early career was an eye-opener for a then youthful, but willing designer. He learned from Cardin that you could take inspiration not from just culture, but also from the events happening all around us.

After working with Cardin, Jean Paul managed to get a gig with Jacques Esterel. He worked there for 12 months then changed names once again to work for fashion house Patou. He was assistant to the likes of Michel Goma and Angelo Tarlazzi, learning how to do familiar tasks in different ways.

When he returned to Pierre Cardin after his stint at Patou, he worked in Manila on designs for the United States and to further improve the brand.

"All of these experiences were beneficial and taught me how to sew well and play with fabrics, colors, jewelry. For me, fashion was a discipline."

The man has a knack for creating clothes that people can easily take a liking to. His avante garde designs are unique, perhaps a result of who he is, his personality, if you will, and the way in which he never takes the industry seriously.