• Designer Jean Paul Gaultier celebrates after presenting his final collection at Paris Haute Couture Week. Reuters
    Designer Jean Paul Gaultier celebrates after presenting his final collection at Paris Haute Couture Week. Reuters
  • The designer announced his retirement after 50 years in the business. Getty Images
    The designer announced his retirement after 50 years in the business. Getty Images
  • French football player Djibril Cisse walks the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier's final show in Paris. AFP
    French football player Djibril Cisse walks the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier's final show in Paris. AFP
  • Paris Jackson walks the runway during the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring / Summer 2020 show. Getty Images
    Paris Jackson walks the runway during the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring / Summer 2020 show. Getty Images
  • Yasmin Le Bon walks the runway during the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring / Summer 2020 show. Getty Images
    Yasmin Le Bon walks the runway during the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring / Summer 2020 show. Getty Images
  • US model Gigi Hadid presents a classic Jean Paul Gaultier sailor look during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture show in Paris, on January 22, 2020. AFP
    US model Gigi Hadid presents a classic Jean Paul Gaultier sailor look during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture show in Paris, on January 22, 2020. AFP
  • Bella Hadid and Jean Paul Gaultier are seen backstage after the Jean Paul Gaultier 50th Birthday show at Theatre du Chatelet on January 22, 2020 in Paris. Getty
    Bella Hadid and Jean Paul Gaultier are seen backstage after the Jean Paul Gaultier 50th Birthday show at Theatre du Chatelet on January 22, 2020 in Paris. Getty
  • Dita Von Teese, left, and Karen Elson, right, embrace Jean Paul Gaultier, centre, backstage after his 50th Birthday show at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France. Getty
    Dita Von Teese, left, and Karen Elson, right, embrace Jean Paul Gaultier, centre, backstage after his 50th Birthday show at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France. Getty
  • Mylene Farmer is seen backstage after walking the runway at the Jean Paul Gaultier 50th Birthday show in Paris, France. Getty
    Mylene Farmer is seen backstage after walking the runway at the Jean Paul Gaultier 50th Birthday show in Paris, France. Getty
  • Coco Rocha, centre, and models are seen backstage after walking the runway at the Jean Paul Gaultier show at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. Getty
    Coco Rocha, centre, and models are seen backstage after walking the runway at the Jean Paul Gaultier show at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. Getty
  • Christina Cordula, centre, celebrates onstage after walking the runway at the Jean Paul Gaultier show. Getty
    Christina Cordula, centre, celebrates onstage after walking the runway at the Jean Paul Gaultier show. Getty
  • Boy George performs at the Jean Paul Gaultier 50th Birthday show in Paris, France. Getty
    Boy George performs at the Jean Paul Gaultier 50th Birthday show in Paris, France. Getty
  • Jean Paul Gaultier celebrate on the runway after presenting his final collection in Paris, France. Getty
    Jean Paul Gaultier celebrate on the runway after presenting his final collection in Paris, France. Getty
  • From left: Ami Benton, Elza Matiz, Pandemonia and Janet Mayer are seen backstage after walking the runway at the Jean Paul Gaultier 50th Birthday show in Paris, France. Getty
    From left: Ami Benton, Elza Matiz, Pandemonia and Janet Mayer are seen backstage after walking the runway at the Jean Paul Gaultier 50th Birthday show in Paris, France. Getty
  • From left: Karen Elson, Dita Von Teese, Jean Paul Gaultier and Karlie Kloss are seen backstage after the Jean Paul Gaultier show at Theatre du Chatelet on January 22, 2020 in Paris, France. Getty
    From left: Karen Elson, Dita Von Teese, Jean Paul Gaultier and Karlie Kloss are seen backstage after the Jean Paul Gaultier show at Theatre du Chatelet on January 22, 2020 in Paris, France. Getty

Jean Paul Gaultier throws the ultimate farewell party for his final show at Paris Haute Couture Week - in pictures


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

Jean Paul Gaultier shocked the fashion world last week when he announced his Paris Haute Couture Week show would be his last.

The show, which took place at the Theatre du Chatelet on Wednesday, also coincided with Gaultier’s 50th anniversary in the industry, so it was always going to be big – and it did not disappoint.

The designer's model muses were of course present. From Karlie Kloss and Gigi Hadid, to Coco Rocha and Dita Vo Tesse, his flamboyant show featured a stream of cross-generation supermodels.

He also continued his custom of adding unexpected cameos to his shows, with a runway debut from Paris Jackson, as well as appearances from Beatrice Dalle and Rossy de Palma.

See Jean Paul Gaultier's final haute couture collection below:

  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A model presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture collection in Paris. AFP
    A model presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture collection in Paris. AFP
  • Looks from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    Looks from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • Model Joan Smalls presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week in Paris. AFP
    Model Joan Smalls presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week in Paris. AFP
  • Tess McMillan presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    Tess McMillan presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • Brazilian TV host Cristina Cordula presents a creation from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection during the Women's Spring/ Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week in Paris. AFP
    Brazilian TV host Cristina Cordula presents a creation from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection during the Women's Spring/ Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week in Paris. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • Looks from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    Looks from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • French football player Djibril Cisse presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week. AFP
    French football player Djibril Cisse presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • Russian model Irina Shayk presents a creation from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection presented during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week in Paris. AFP
    Russian model Irina Shayk presents a creation from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection presented during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week in Paris. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • Models present looks from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection presented during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week in Paris. AFP
    Models present looks from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection presented during the Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture Week in Paris. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
    A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's final collection, presented at Spring / Summer 2020 Paris Haute Couture week. AFP
  • French designer Jean Paul Gaultier acknowledges the audience at the end of his Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture collection fashion show in Paris, which will be his last. AFP
    French designer Jean Paul Gaultier acknowledges the audience at the end of his Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture collection fashion show in Paris, which will be his last. AFP
  • French designer Jean Paul Gaultier acknowledges the audience at the end of his Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture collection fashion show in Paris, which will be his last. AFP
    French designer Jean Paul Gaultier acknowledges the audience at the end of his Women's Spring / Summer 2020 Haute Couture collection fashion show in Paris, which will be his last. AFP

The send-off ended with a rousing performance from Boy George, as Gaultier was lifted onto the shoulders of his runway cast.

While this will be the final collection from Gaultier, the designer has hinted he will soon be back in a different form. "Rest assured, haute couture will continue with a new concept," he said.

Gaultier dropped his bombshell last week in a typically jokey video message, shot as if he was giving an exclusive interview to a reporter over the phone.

Reclining on a chaise longue, Gaultier whispered, "Now I am going to give you a scoop. It will be my last couture show. You have to come, you can't miss that... but, but, but, I assure you, Gaultier Paris will go on, the haute couture will continue.

"I have a new concept. I will tell you about it later, all the little secrets. To be continued! Kisses!"

Gaultier stopped designing ready-to-wear clothes in 2015 to concentrate on haute couture - extravagant handmade clothes which only the world's richest women can afford.

A child fashion prodigy, Gaultier said he started by making showgirl outfits for his teddy bear.

He was personal assistant to French fashion magnate Pierre Cardin at 18, and rose to fame in the 1980s alongside designers like Thierry Mugler when the Paris fashion scene was at its most decadent.

He made pop history by putting Madonna in a conical bra, invented the "man skirt" and brought body diversity to the runway. He was also the industry's jester-in-chief. In a world riddled with snobbery and pretension, he had the common touch - poking fun at himself and fashion's myriad follies.