1970s
Before launching his own label, Gaultier designed for Pierre Cardin, Jacques Esterel and Jean Patou, where he stayed for two years as assistant Michael Goma, then to Angelo Tarlazzi. In 1974, he returned to Pierre Cardin, in Manila where he created collections intended for the U.S.A. During the early 1976, he manufactured the first electronic jewellery with his collaborator Mr Francis Menuge. In the same year, he launched the first collection under his own name at the "Palais de la Découverte". From this year, presentations of female collections started twice a year.

1980s
In 1981, Jean-Paul Gaultier changed to a new partner and was then produced in Italy by Gibo for women goods and Equator for knitted. Kashiyama continued producing Jean-Paul Gaultier under license for Japan and the Far East. The year 1988 marked the launch of the first collection of "JUNIOR Gaultier". In 1989, Jean-Paul Gaultier released a record "How to do that" in collaboration with Tony Mansfield. In the same year, he also designed costume designs for Peter Greenaway’s film "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover'.

1990s
In this decade, Gaultier designed costumes for Madonna's world tour "Blond Ambition World Tour 90", Yvette Horner's show at the Casino de Paris, Victoria Abril for Pedro Almodovar's film "KIKA", Luc Besson's film "The Fifth Element", Sylvie Vartan's show at the Olympia and Yvette Horner in Bejart's "Nutcrakers". It also saw the launch of "GAULTIER JEAN’S" collection (1992), first perfume "JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER" for Women (1993), a new line "JPG" (1994), first perfume for Men "LE MALE" (1995), Haute Couture Collection, season SS 1997 "Atmosphere of a Couture Salon", the first fur collection "JEAN PAUL GAULTIER FOURRURES" Autumn/Winter 98-99 and his second perfume "FRAGILE" for Women (1999).

1992
1992 marked the retrospective of JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER'S collections presented in Los-Angeles (USA) for the benefit of the AIDS research (Amfar).

1995
1995 saw the Retrospective of Jean-Paul Gaultier's collections presented in Vienna (Austria) for the benefit of the AIDS research (Life Ball).

1999
Jean-Paul Gaultier signed a partnership agreement with Hermes International.

2000s
During this decade, Gaultier designed costumes for Leslie Cheung's World tour "Passion Tour 2000", Sylvie Joly's show at the Casino de Paris, Madonna's world tour "Drowned World Tour 2001", Josiane Balasko for participation, as an actor in his own role, to the movie directed by Gabriel Aghion "Absolutely Fabulous", Julien Clerc's show, Ms Catherine Deneuve for the TV movie Dangerous Liaisons", ABSOLUT vodka advertising campaign, French singer "Sheila" at the Olympia, Johnny Hallyday's European Tour, movie of Pedro Almodovar "Bad Education", Sylvie Joly's show at the Théâtre des Mathurins, Madonna's World Tour "Confessions Tour", SOLEDAD" dance show of Joaquin Cortes at World Tour, Mylene Farmer 2009 Tour and "Blanche Neige" ballet of Angelin Preljocaj.

2001
In 2001, Gaultier was nominated Chavalier of the Legion of Honor.

2002
The year 2002 saw the inauguration of his first boutique in New York, United States.

2003
In 2003, a contract was signed Hermès appointing Jean Paul Gaultier as in-house designer for the Woman RTW Collection from Fall/Winter 2004/05. In the same year, the label's 60th anniversary was celebrated and the men’s make up line was also launched - "TOUT BEAU TOUT PROPRE".

2004
Jean-Paul Gaultier changed partners and was then manufactured by Euro Cormar for "JEAN'S PAUL GAULTIER" line replacing "GAULTIER JEAN'S" for Spring/Summer 2005. His first collection for HERMES Woman RTW was also launched. In the same year, opening of the exhibition "PAIN COUTURE" took place. This was a tribute to Jean Paul Gaultier by Fondation Cartier for Contemporary Art. In 2010, the new Jean Paul Gaultier shop was opened in Tokyo.

2005 -2010
The decade saw the launch of a new perfume "unisex" GAULTIER (2005) and Junior Gaultier, kidswear (2009). In 2010, He was honoured by AmFAR for his life time achievement.

2011
During this year, Jean Paul Gaultier received Globe de Cristal as best fashion designer. It also saw the opening of "La Planète mode de Jean Paul Gaultier - De la rue aux étoiles", an exhibition at the Montreal Fine Arts Museum featuring more than 130 historic ensembles and documents. The same exhibition, later this year, was seen at the Dallas Museum of Arts. The male perfume "Kokoriko" was also launched.

2012
Jean Paul Gaultier was Artistic Designer for Coca Cola Light - Day and Night operation during 2012. He became a member of the Jury of the 65th Cannes Movies Festival. Later, in the same year, he was rewarded with a life time achievement award for his different perfumes at the DUFTSTARS - Berlin. He designed costumes of "Les Noces de Figaro" ballet of J.L.Scarpitta for the Opera de Montpellier and "Very WETR" ballet of Regine Chopinot presented during the 2012 Festival d'Avignon. The "La Planète mode de Jean Paul Gaultier - De la rue aux étoiles" exhibition arrived in Europe with an opening at the Mapfre Foundation in Madrid. Jean Paul Gaultier was the guest of honor of the Cali Expo Show, presented for the first time in the Couture of Colombia.