Jean Paul Gaultier: One-of-a-kind designer who 'wrote the rules'

Exuberant enfant terrible of fashion. Flamboyant showman. Madonna's pointy bra designer. Cult TV star and incorrigible Franglais speaker. Everyone has their own take on designer Jean Paul Gaultier, who bows out of ready-to-wear fashion in Paris later on Saturday, in what promises to

be one of the shows of the decade.

Pieces such as his sailor's sweaters, jaunty trench coats, corsets and cone bras are today instantly recognisable as Gaultier classics. But after nearly 40 years in ready-to-wear the 62-year-old designer is to concentrate on couture, citing the relentless pace of the modern fashion industry as the reason for his decision.