He’s back in Vogue.
Credit: Getty
Formerly disgraced designer John Galliano is to make his return to the fashion world. In an official announcement by OTB – Maison Martin Margiela’s holding company – confirmed that he would be taking control of the French fashion house’s creative direction.
“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,” the company’s president Renzo Rosso told WWD.
He added: “Margiela is ready for a new charismatic creative soul.”
During a recent appearance on French television, Galliano hinted at a big move, which was later fueled by further speculation from the media.
The 53-year-old Brit has endured a three-year hiatus from the industry, after making worldwide headlines in 2011 for a video-recorded anti-Semitic rant that took place in bar in the Marais district of Paris, and later published in the British tabloid newspaper The Sun.
The Gibraltar-born designer, known for his theatrical and flamboyant catwalk shows, was quickly removed from his position as creative director at Christian Dior.
He was later charged with “public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity”, but avoided prison and instead given two suspended fines totaling €6,000.
Following his court appearance, Galliano checked into a rehab clinic in Arizona, where he was treated for drug and drink addiction.
His appointment at Margiela is also a fresh start for the fashion house, which since the retirement of its namesake in 2009, has left its creative output to an anonymous team of designers. “A visionary, non-conformist, creative talent to give new significance to the iconoclastic heritage of Margiela, and new impulse to its exciting future,” lauded Rosso.
It was initially suggested that Galliano would only oversee couture but it seems he is getting the full package, as he is expected to be the creative force behind all of the lines, including women’s and men’s ready-to-wear collections.
It’s expected that Galliano’s debut will take place during the Paris couture week in January 2015.
