50. Jean Paul Gaultier

Decadent, unusual style

Gaultier was born in suburb of Paris. Never having trained as a designer his sketches won him an assistant job with Pierre Cardin. His first collection was launched in 1976. Known as the enfant terrible of French fashion, he has a highly unusual style often using unconventional designs and models. Between 2003 and 2010 he served as creative director of Hermes and has also closely worked with Wolford. His other projects included designing for artists and films, co-hosting a television program, and releasing a single. Gaultier also has a very successful line of perfumes. In 2015 he announced the closure of his ready-to-wear lines, so his sole focus can be on haute couture.