With no formal fashion education to boast of, Jean Paul Gaultier established himself in the 70s and 80s as the “enfant terrible" of French fashion. His irreverent style left nothing sacred, dancing over the standard guard rails of high-fashion — he played with gender roles, adorning men in skirts decades before others opted to, and allowed plus sized women and older men to grace his runways. His talent was undeniable, though his utilization of such gifts made him a fiercely divisive designer. While often ripped by the French press, he gained the hearts of numerous subversive, forward-thinking icons, including Madonna and Marilyn Manson, both whom he conceptualized tour wardrobes for.

One of Gaultier’s most famous and personal visuals, the series of “Safe Sex Forever” pieces feature a Taurus print on the same spot which Gaultier has it tattooed. They were a direct reference to the AIDS epidemic of the ‘90s, which claimed his longtime lover Francis Menuge among its victims. Though it’s a stand now common place to take, AIDS was still an extremely taboo subject in the mid-‘90s, and Gaultier was one of the first mainstream designers to call direct attention to the issue, going as far as to donate his profits from several collections to research foundations. This shirt and the matching swim trunks reside in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s private collection.

Condition: 10/10. Brand new with original tag attached.

Tagged size: S

Shoulder: 15in

Pit to pit: 15in

Length: 22in

Sleeve: 22in