John Galliano’s departure from Maison Margiela leaves behind legendary runway shows
The rumors of John Galliano leaving Maison Margiela have been circulating for several months, and after much speculation, the rumors have finally been confirmed.
Previously, John Galliano had cleared his social media accounts, and on December 11th, he suddenly posted a lengthy statement announcing his departure from Maison Margiela.
How does one write this farewell? Just this past January, the Maison Margiela Artisanal Spring/Summer 2024 couture collection, which caused a sensation in the fashion world, turned out to be John Galliano’s final show for the brand. The longevity of the aftereffects of this show is matched only by the gradual nature of John Galliano’s departure.
After posting a lengthy statement, John Galliano announced the end of his ten-year collaboration with Maison Margiela. This departure is considered an amicable split. John Galliano expressed gratitude to his team, and Renzo Rosso, the founder and chairman of OTB, the parent company of Maison Margiela, also highly praised the ten years of collaboration, saying, “We have accomplished some incredible things together that will forever be etched in the history of fashion.”
Where John Galliano will go after leaving Maison Margiela has not been revealed, and Maison Margiela has not officially announced his successor.
During his ten years at Maison Margiela, John Galliano left behind many dazzling runway moments. In addition to the wildly popular Maison Margiela Artisanal Spring/Summer 2024 couture collection in January, other memorable shows included the “Tango Underwater” and “Blood Wedding” themes from the Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2021 collection.
The Maison Margiela Fall/Winter 2022 couture collection presented a “play within a play,” with the curtain revealing a movie on one side and a theatrical drama on the other. The models transformed into actors, and the designs, as well as the photo shoots, were exceptionally atmospheric.
In the Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2017 couture collection, ethereal black veils were transformed into human faces, magicking their way onto the garments and becoming true works of art.
The Maison Margiela Fall/Winter 2023 collection was like an underground subculture ball, showcasing its distinctive style with androgynous designs and a unique runway presentation. The use of plaid elements paid homage to the late designer Vivienne Westwood.
John Galliano has left behind a wealth of brilliant designs, and his personal journey is colored with the legendary spirit of struggle. To this day, his mentor Anna Wintour still shares his story in public forums.
John Galliano was born on November 28, 1960, in Gibraltar, UK, and later moved to South London. His mother, a flamenco dance teacher, enjoyed dressing him up.
In 1981, John Galliano enrolled at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. After graduating from Central Saint Martins, he established his own brand. However, due to designs that did not align with commercial viability, he faced financial issues that led to bankruptcy in 1990. It wasn’t until he met and received support from Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of American Vogue, and Andre Leon Talley, the creative director of American Vogue, that his fortune began to change. With their powerful connections, he met the Portuguese fashion patron Saõ Schlumberger, who helped “the pirate” (Galliano’s nickname) put on a successful show that led to new job opportunities.
In 1995, John Galliano joined Givenchy as creative director, serving briefly until 1996 before moving to Dior. In 1996, the Met Gala theme was a tribute to Christian Dior, and Princess Diana wore a silk halter gown designed by Galliano, which was perhaps his best endorsement.
During his tenure as creative director at Christian Dior, John Galliano created numerous legendary runway shows. After being fired from Christian Dior in 2011 due to inappropriate remarks, he held a few positions before being appointed as creative director at Maison Margiela in 2014, marking a new beginning for him.
The decade has come to an end, and John Galliano has announced his departure from the position of creative director at Maison Margiela, with his next move yet to be determined. Rumors have it that his former employer, the LVMH Group, is trying to court John Galliano, and with Anna’s support, he might return to Dior. However, the negotiations fell through, and there are talks that LOEWE’s creative director Jonathan Anderson might take over. Others suggest that John Galliano could be heading to Fendi, but there are also reports that Fendi is in talks with Pierpaolo Piccioli, the former creative director of Valentino, and some say Maria Grazia Chiuri might join Fendi. The “musical chairs” of creative directors continues to be a hot topic.
Regardless, this legendary designer has already left an indelible mark on the history of fashion, and wherever he goes will be a great fortune.