Does John Galliano Deserve a Second Chance?
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
America loves a comeback. We’ve seen it with Robert Downey Jr., we’ve tried it with Lindsay Lohan, and we’re in the midst of it with Paula Deen. And now designer John Galliano, who’s faced public and legal scrutiny over the last few years thanks to a drunken anti-Semitic expletive-filled rant in Paris, is ready for his return to the spotlight.
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Galliano was fired from his position as Creative Director of Dior in 2011, did a stint in rehab, and then disappeared from the spotlight. He spent a few months consulting for Oscar de la Renta’s atelier, and then the talented British designer was hired as the Creative Director for the Maison Martin Margiela collection in October. Now, the Paris-based house has announced that Galliano will debut his first collection, “Artisinal,” in the middle of couture week in London, on January 12 at tea time. Showing in London marks a return home for Galliano, who got his start as a star graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.Galliano has been absent from the runway since 2011 when he was ousted from Dior, so minus that quick stint with Oscar de la Renta, this will be his official reintroduction to the fashion world. To give you some context here, Maison Martin Margiela is a design label owned by Renzo Rosso, another fashion rebel, who owns and runs a multi-million dollar company that has acquired and relaunched labels like Diesel and DSquared. When Maison Martin Margiela (or MMM as its referred to in the world of fashion) started in 1989, it was launched by an anonymous faceless, PR-shy designer, ironic given the very high profile of the man who now finds himself responsible for the collection. Rosso, whose company is named Only The Brave, issued a statement about hiring Galliano: “Margiela is ready for a new charismatic creative soul. John Galliano is one of the greatest, undisputed talents of all time. A unique, exceptional couturier for a Maison that always challenged and innovated the world of fashion. I look forward to his return to create that fashion dream that only he can create, and wish him to here find his new home.”
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That said, the fashion world was initially surprised—or at least intrigued—by this announcement, but has since begun to applaud the bold move. Most notably, Nicola Formichetti, the Artistic Director of Diesel and Lady Gaga’s former stylist (another big name recruit from Rosso in the last few years), recently told the New York Times: “I had so many crazy feelings when I heard the news that John was going to be joining us,” Formichetti says. “First I thought, ‘John is so not Margiela.’ Then I thought, ‘I am sure it is super-risky for Renzo.’ But on the other hand, as a decision, it is so Renzo.”
Related: The Real Reason the Fashion World is Shocked by Galliano’s Appointment
Of course, Galliano’s biggest champion is Anna Wintour, who was one of the first editors to discover and support Galliano when he burst onto the London fashion scene more than twenty years ago. She gave her official nod of approval last week when she showed up at the British Fashion Awards wearing an original John Galliano design for Maison Martin Margiela, the first glimpse into the designer’s new home.
The rest of the world will have to wait another month to see the remainder of his comeback collection at his official debut.
