Jean Paul Gaultier, the globally famous French haute couture designer was born in Arcueil, France in the 1950s. While he never had any formal schooling or training as a fashion designer, he has become known worldwide for his daring and sometimes controversial contributions to the designer fashion world. Impressing designers early on, he was hired by Pierre Cardin in the 1970s and later managed a Pierre Cardin boutique in Manila.

While some fashion critiques dismissed his designs as decadent and frivolous, many found his experimental and daring designs inspired by street-wear refreshing and bold. He became especially known for his use and promotion of the "man-skirt" and often dressed his male models in kilts and other tailored, yet masculine looking skirts. As his reputation grew, the demand for Jean Paul Gaultier designer clothing increased among the Hollywood A-list.

In the 1980s he become well known as the designer of many of Madonna's stage costumes, including her infamous cone-bra which received world-wide attention on the 1990 Blonde Ambition tour. In addition to designing Madonna's stage costumes for two world tours, he also designed numerous stage costumes for other performers including the controversial Marilyn Manson.

Along with the costumes he designed for musical performers and rock-stars, Gaultier has made a significant contribution to costume design for film. While he is best known for the inventive costumes worn in the quirky sci-fi hit The Fifth Element, he also designed wardrobes for City of Lost Children, Kika and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.

Recently, Gaultier has become known for both his ready-to-wear and designer collection. His ready-to-wear collection started under the label Junior Gaultier, latter changed to JPG in 1994 and was finally replaced with Jean's Paul Gaultier, referencing his increasing use of denim. However, the Junior Gaultier name was revived for a line of children's clothing he launched in 2009. His designer collection draws inspiration from traditional clothing worn around the world, and he often designs clothing that incorporates cultural aesthetics often not associated with each other to create unexpected and bold designs.

In addition to his clothing lines, Gaultier has become increasingly well know for his accessories and perfume. His perfume has become so popular that the bottle, in the shape of the torso of a curvaceous woman or well toned male, has become instantly recognized around the world. In fact, Gaultier's fragrance, Le Male, is currently one of the best selling fragrances for men in the European Union as well as enjoying immense popularity outside of Europe. In addition to incredible success in the clothing and perfume market, Jean Paul Gaultier handbags and sunglasses have become the must-have fashion accessory for many well-dressed and well-heeled designer aficionados.