The creative director is opting out of the ever-changing game of designer musical chairs.
In the world of designer musical chairs, it seems like creative directors are staying with major labels for shorter and shorter periods of time before switching to something new. Not so for John Galliano: on Wednesday, WWD reported that the designer is renewing his contract with Maison Margiela, where he’s served as creative director since 2014.
“I believed [Galliano] was the only person who could take this house five years ago, and I am even more convinced of this today,” president of Margiela parent OTB Renzo Rosso said. “[His] undisputed talent is only matched by his understanding of today’s generations, their way of thinking, their struggles, their dreams. And he is doing exactly what this maison always did at its best — disrupt, innovate and inspire.”
According to Margiela, the brand’s revenues have doubled since Galliano came on board. This is despite the fact that he’s still seen by some as a controversial figure, based on a series of racist and ant-Semitic outbursts that resulted in him being fired from his position at the creative helm of Dior in 2011. But Galliano’s talent as a designer has long earned him the respect of critics, to the point that some even speculated he might be once again poached by one of the major luxury conglomerates — perhaps even to replace Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi.
Galliano, though, seems perfectly happy at Margiela, where he’s been given the freedom to turn couture into a mode of exploration and experimentation rather than a business aimed exclusively at super-elites.
“I am super excited for this new chapter and grateful to Renzo for his belief in me and the vision for Maison Margiela,” Galliano said.
No word on exactly how long the new contract will last, but it seems like Galliano’s staying put for the foreseeable future.
Source: Fashionista.com
Be First to Comment