A Couture Rebel. A Romantic Maverick

A realist and a romantic at heart. Photo: Michael Woolley

He stands alongside Poiret, Chanel, Schiaparelli, and Balenciaga as a person with a unique vision of himself, his clothes, and his times, who is aware of the past but entirely modern in his approach—a man with a revolutionary and subversive eye.



A dreamy ballgown for Givenchy. Photo: Lillian Bassman


One such moment occurred in January 1997, when John Galliano created his first collection as chief designer of the house of Dior.



Madness! Photos: Right, Paolo Roversi--Left, Niall McInerney


“He has a luminous quality which makes him unique in fashion: poetry, fantasy, magic, beauty – he dares to make us dream.” Stéphane Marais



The imaginative world of John Galliano. Photo: Paolo Roversi


“He is a perfectionist because he knows no other way. It has nothing to do with money. When he had no money, it was exactly the same. Getting everything perfect is much more important to him than eating or having a bed to sleep in. He could never cut corners for such trivial things.”

Stephen Jones



Glamour that evokes the 1950's and an intricate work of art.
Photos: Left, Mario Testino--Right, Niall McInerney



It was an emotional occasion and many would claim a significant one. It marked not only the fiftieth anniversary of the New Look, but also the creative coming-of-age of John Galliano.



Inventive and modern. Modest too. Photos: Left, Nial McInerney--Right, Michael Woolley


Their role [fashion leaders] is to shock, stimulate, excite and amuse. Above all, they should ruffle our complacency by questioning not only our attitudes to beauty, femininity and allure, but also to ourselves.


Nobody can do a bias-cut satin dress like Galliano. Photo: Steven Meisel

 “My role is to seduce.”



The gypsy influence is evident in his fashionable creations. Photo: Michael Thompson

Nobody can pretend that Galliano’s career has been smooth-flowing.

Since I’m a great fan of designer John Galliano, I decided to write this entry to show support, since the past few days haven't been the greatest. I believe in his amazing creativity and his passion for the art of creating beautiful fashion. To Mr. Galliano I say, “This too shall pass.”

The citations (except "captions") and all of the photographs are from the book, Galliano by Colin McDowell, 1997.