Jean Paul Gaultier Quotes

Powerful Jean Paul Gaultier for Daily Growth

About Jean Paul Gaultier

**Jean-Paul Gaultier** (born April 24, 1952), a French fashion designer, is renowned for his eclectic and unconventional style that challenges gender norms in the fashion industry. Born in Arcueil, near Paris, Gaultier demonstrated an early interest in fashion, sketching clothes on his schoolbooks. He studied at the Breton Fashion School but was not admitted to prestigious fashion schools due to his lack of formal training. However, this setback fueled his determination, and he honed his skills by working for various designers before launching his own label in 1976. Gaultier's breakthrough came when he won the Woolmark Prize in 1984, which catapulted him to international fame. Known for his innovative designs, Gaultier often incorporates elements of street fashion, popular culture, and fantasy into his creations. His designs are characterized by their bold colors, intricate detailing, and playful use of fabric. One of Gaultier's most iconic works is the 'cone bra' worn by Madonna during her Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990. This groundbreaking design challenged traditional ideas of female sexuality and embodied Gaultier's vision of fashion as a form of self-expression. In 1993, Gaultier was appointed the creative director at Hermès, where he stayed until 2003. During this time, he also designed costumes for films such as 'The Fifth Element' (1997) and 'Pink Panther' (2006). In 2010, he took over Christian Dior's haute couture line, where he infused his signature style into the iconic brand. Today, Gaultier continues to push boundaries in fashion, challenging stereotypes and advocating for inclusivity. His influence extends beyond the world of fashion, inspiring artists, designers, and individuals worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Fashion shows are like movies: you need a good scenario, a good director, and beautiful actors."

This quote by Jean-Paul Gaultier implies that fashion shows share similarities with movies in terms of their structure and execution. Like movies, successful fashion shows require careful planning (scenario), skilled direction, and the participation of talented models (actors) who can effectively showcase the designs. In essence, Gaultier is emphasizing that a well-executed fashion show, much like a good movie, needs a thoughtful concept, capable management, and striking visual representation to make an impact on its audience.


"I think luxury will be different. Less is aborbing excess, less is being wasteful, less is being respectful."

Jean-Paul Gaultier suggests that in the future, luxury will not be defined by excess, wastefulness, or indulgence. Instead, he believes that luxury will come from simplicity, frugality, and respect for resources. In other words, true luxury will lie in thoughtful consumption rather than mindless extravagance. This perspective is particularly relevant in today's world where sustainability and environmental responsibility are increasingly important concerns.


"In fashion, you have to be free, not bound by codes or traditions."

This quote by Jean Paul Gaultier emphasizes the importance of creativity, individuality, and innovation in the world of fashion. It suggests that one should not be confined by established rules or customs, but instead, strive to express oneself freely and uniquely. This perspective encourages designers to experiment with new ideas, styles, and techniques, and allows consumers to embrace their personal style without fear of conforming to societal expectations or tradition. In essence, Gaultier's quote is a call to break free from the norm and create fashion that reflects one's personality and individuality.


"Fashion is the armor to survive in the urban jungle."

Jean-Paul Gaultier's quote, "Fashion is the armor to survive in the urban jungle," suggests that fashion serves as a form of protection or defense in the complex and challenging world we live in. The "urban jungle" metaphorically represents our modern society, where appearance and self-expression can often be significant factors in navigating social dynamics. Fashion, therefore, becomes a tool for individuals to shield themselves, assert their identity, and adapt to various societal expectations, making it essential for survival within this environment.


"I've always said that I don't do fashion. I make clothes for people who want to wear them."

In this quote, Jean-Paul Gaultier differentiates between 'fashion' as a transient trend, and 'clothes' as functional garments designed for individuals. He positions himself as an artist creating garments for those who desire self-expression through his designs, emphasizing the personal nature of fashion choices.


I start each collection thinking how I can refresh my classics.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Start, How, Classics, Collection

My eccentricity became direction.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Direction, Became, Eccentricity

The shock of the way I mix patterns and fabrics can be disconcerting, but what I am trying to do is provoke new ideas about how pieces can be put together in different ways. I think this is a more modern way to wear clothes that in themselves are fairly classic.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

I Think, Wear, About, New Ideas

I would like to say to people, open your eyes and find beauty where you normally don't expect it.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Beauty, Say, Like, Normally

When I started in fashion, I had already adopted the sailor-striped sweater as my uniform; that way, I wouldn't have to drive myself crazy trying to figure out what to wear.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Myself, Wear, Figure, Sweater

Always my collections are made of different influences.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Influences, Always, Made, Collections

I know what I am able and not able to do. Fashion? OK. Fashion... clothes in theatre, in an opera, in a concert - all that I love. To make a movie myself... no!

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Love, Opera, Movie, OK

Doing fashion drawings was the only way I had to express myself when I was a teenager.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Myself, Doing, Drawings, Teenager

I have loved corsets since I was small. When I was a child, my grandmother took me to an exhibition, and they had a corset on display. I loved the flesh color, the salmon satin, the lace.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Small, Exhibition, Took, Flesh

You see me, I wanted to be fashion designer. I became fashion designer. So I think that everything is possible.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Think, I Think, Became, Fashion Designer

The great thing about American women is their energy and the way they love to dress. French women don't really dress; they are too conservative, as it's always a question of money. In America, women are powerful and strong, determined. If they want to be an object, they choose to be in control.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Love, Dress, Conservative, French

I could say that making clothes is my way of communicating, because I was always so shy.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Shy, Always, Making, Communicating

My clothes have always been expensive. Even though I have had a few lower-priced lines over the years, little by little everything I do tends toward the luxury market.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Always, Over, Been, Tends

People are fed up with something when it becomes more and more popular.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Fed Up, More, Fed, Popular

I am very lucky because I am realizing my childhood dreams, and after presenting my shows it's like a party.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Childhood, Lucky, Very, Realizing

I've always felt more at home in the UK than in France.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

More, Always, Than, UK

Sometimes I have chosen to see films just by their posters.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Sometimes, See, Films, Posters

There are some people who say and do terrible things and they are not even punished for it.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Some, Things, Even, Punished

Fashion is about what you look like, which translates to what you would like to be like.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Like, Which, Would, Fashion

I'm still astounded by some people's reaction to things I consider quite normal.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Normal, Some, Still, Astounded

People think that everyone wears black in France; in fact they all wear grey.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Think, Fact, Everyone, France

In France, history is paralyzing.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

History, France

I don't know exactly what is my impact, but I can say I am doing fashion my own way.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Impact, Doing, My Own, Exactly What

When I do my collection, it is in a way my own story.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Own, Way, My Own, Collection

Clothes are expensive. You have to buy them, and to buy them, you have to believe in them.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Believe, Buy, Them, Expensive

I was fascinated by movies from age 12.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Age, Movies, Fascinated

I don't like dreams or reality. I like when dreams become reality because that is my life.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Reality, My Life, Like, Dreams

People are so codified - it's sad.

- Jean Paul Gaultier

People, Sad

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