It’s flamboyant. It’s opulent. It’s beautiful. It’s John Galliano, but who is he? The designer behind the true ingenuity and surreal sophistication of glamour and women, nonetheless, he, the master of innovative creativeness and imaginative patters. From his fantastical clothes, to his colorful background, Galliano’s charmed rise to fame reads not unlike a fairy tale. His genius is his ability to communicate this through his clothes. He also has an immense ambition. Behind his gentle aesthetic, John Galliano is a powerhouse, a man whose ambition to go down in history as one of fashion’s great is awesome, even intimidating.
As the best couturier of his era he was appointed as the head designer of Givenchy. He was the first British designer, to ever, command a French haute couture house (a high-class custom-fitted clothing company) as he believes that fashion should have a correct presentation to capture the eyes of the people and make good impression about it.
His theatrical approach changed the whole view of fashion by far; Galliano changed the perception of fashion shows by delivering an arousing and exciting experience to his audience. He allowed them to experience haute couture first hand. He brought in super models coming in from all directions, from the stage, from trap doors, from backstage, and from down the aisles. He teased and displayed the many lovely spectacles of fashion, a breath-taking experience right in front of his audience face to face. He was revolutionary and that alone launched his career. He changed the aspect of a fashion show into an unforgettable event to attend.
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| Galliano:“My dresses are very reasonably priced, for dresses that are cut on the body." |
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Galliano:“The colors, we start off very stark, black, white, and flashes of red.
And then it becomes quite pretty, Colorful, lyrical.” |
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Galliano: "You only get a short life, so take chances.”
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Galliano:“The print is devised so that I can cut the dresses on the bias, so they work
around the body. It's not like a regular print that you buy and ends up being a
vertical and a horizontal placement. It works around the body.”
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| Galliano:“I'm an accomplice to helping women get what they want." |
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Galliano:“There's room for the Gap, but the joy of dressing is an art."
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Galliano:“But I'm going to be a real good boy and take it day by day and try to
concentrate on what's most important to me, and that's offering women a service."
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Galliano:“I don't care about money. I really don'tcare. I just want to do what I do."
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Galliano:“Once you lock eyes with her, you are mesmerized.
Ever since I met her she enchanted and inspired me.” |
Within two years, the owner of Givenchy appointed Galliano to replace Christian Dior Italian designer Ferré while Alexander McQueen replaced Galliano at Givenchy as the head designer.
Jan 1997 – Galliano first couture show on Christian Dior’s 50th anniversary.
Galliano: “But I'm not an artist; Maybe an artist with a small a."
The Galliano couture skyrocketed. As fame and fortune came in as a result of his creations being desired by many, his fashion shows during the past 17 years became the event to attend. People purchase tickets well in advance, and that pushed Galliano to create bigger and greater things every year.
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Galliano: “Dressing up. People just don't do it anymore. We have to change that."
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However, like a house of cards it all came crashing down. The world had forgotten how demanding it is to be a head fashion designer.
It's been noted that the world has become less tolerant. As we see in the news, many public figures fall from just uttering a word or a belief that disturbs the generally accepted principle of being politically correct. John Galliano, Christian Dior head designer, isn't immune from making anti-Semitic remarks at a Paris Bar during Fashion Week (Feb2011). The incident started a cascade of events when people, like the American Movie Star Natalie Portman, associated with Dior pulls their support for the Fashion Company.
Within a week, the damage has escalated to the police arrest of Galliano for his remarks. The people have taken to the video waves of the internet to show their displeasure of Dior's fame Head Designers remarks at a Paris Bar.
Mar2011, Christian Dior decided to dismiss John Galliano. It's really sad that to see how alcohol and drug abuse can change his personality. This incident is, perhaps, the worst form of wake-up call for the fame designer. He has no memory of the occurrence.
The apology as politically demanded is followed by a series of actions to re-gain people's understanding and compassion and perhaps one day the people will forgive the designer for his remarks. Only time will tell. Dior reports that they will continue to support the head designer's brand without their head designer.
The reactions by many fashion journalists ponder about the future of Dior and its fame brand without its head designer. It's really a big upset to the company as it tries to find ways to return to its "business as usual" model in the months to come. Perhaps this opens doors for other famous designers to try for the head designer position. Should Dior be unable to fill the position from within the company?
Rumors started to spread as to who will fill Galliano shoes. After a fail attempt to restore his position at Dior, his lawyer quits and Galliano has the intent to sue him. At the John Galliano's autumn/winter 2011 collections, Dior went on without him and perhaps will be the last time the public will see of Galliano’s creations, for the time being.
With the first anniversary of Alexander McQueen's death by suicide, we’re reminded by what the pressures, stresses and constant demands to deliver-the-goods can lead to; self-destruction and burn-out. Will Galliano see and understand this? What will he decide? Will he temp fate?
Galliano claimed to have "no recollection" of the events and denied the charges against him. He could face a six-month prison term and a £21,000 fine. A verdict will be given on September 8.
Rumors continue to circulate until the Galliano trial verdict.- Galliano could return to Dior.
- It is rumored American born Designer Marc Jacobs might take over as creative director of Dior. Could this signal the end of the Galliano era at Dior?
- Other designers also being considered:
- Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz
- Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquiere
- Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy
- Jason Wu, who did Michelle Obama’s inauguration gown.
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