After gaining the title of enfant terrible of the international fashion scene, in 1997 Jean Paul Gaultier launched his first Haute Couture collection. The show was titled “Atmosphere of a Couture Salon”, and presented the looks the designer created for the spring/summer 1997. From then on, Gaultier’s Couture shows have been awaited as one of the most important of the couture calendar, showing that the explosive mix of wit, irony and superb craftsmanship could create masterpieces. The 2020 HC show was announced to be his last – Gaultier noted that the world is changing, and so fashion should adapt to the flow.

Here we celebrate his creative genius with a selection of some of the most astounding looks presented through the years – for the full catwalk pictures, visit our archive.