For over 25 years, John Galliano has battled tough times to become what some consider to be one of the most influential fashion designers of our day, literally changing the clothes we wear.
Born in 1960, Galliano knew he had found his place when he arrived in the fashion world. The young daring designer didn’t waste any time getting attention. He graduated from St Martin’s College of Art and Design in 1984 and his first collection, Les Incroyables, inspired by the French Revolution, was bought by the London boutique Brown’s and completely sold out.
He continued and showed his first line at Paris Fashion Week in 1989. His vision often combining historical costume with a contemporary edge. The rave reviews he got were not without hardship. His label, Galliano, almost went bankrupt numerous times. Supermodels waived their fees to work with the designer. Yet it wasn’t until Anna Wintour took the fashion designer under her wing and introduced him to financial backers that the line became stable.
Eventually the Galliano fashion line was taken in by LVMH (one of the world’s largest luxury goods companies), a move that would forever change John Galliano’s life. In 1995, LVMH named Galliano the designer for Givenchy. This was the first time a British fashion designer would head up a French couture house. One year later, John Galliano would step up into one of the most prestigious roles in the fashion world. He was named designer for Christian Dior, a post he still holds.
He is known for his superb fashion shows that transport the audience to wherever he wants them to go. John Galliano changed the way we see clothes today, by insisting that the designs be cut closer to the body. While his clothes off the rack may be extravagant, his designs have influenced the styles today.
John Galliano has been awarded for his vision and skill on numerous occasions and he keeps striving for more. Through this decade, Galliano has expanded his fashion line to include bags, shoes, lingerie, fragrances and menswear. Between Dior and his own lines, Galliano currently creates six couture and ready-to-wear fashion lines and one mid-season collection each year.
John Galliano showed a luxurious collection for Fall 2010 at Paris Fashion Week, inspired by nomadic, warrior women. Voluminous, chiffon gowns, silk trousers and tulle gowns appeared on the runway. Fur was very prevalent in the collection, as we have seen before. Models wore huge headpieces of fur and feathers. Colours began in earthy tones, but opened up to include jewel tones and pastels. Trends of layering, draping and oversized clothing continued in Galliano’s fashion show.
John Galliano’s wildly romantic and often outrageous imagination is all his own. And it’s that untethered sense of fantasy and drama that has made him the most influential fashion designer of his generation. – Time
[photo of John Galliano courtesy of pr photos, Galliano Spring/Summer 2010 photos courtesy of Galliano]
Tags: ANNA WINTOUR, designer profile, dior, fashion designer, GIVENCHY, John Galliano
Love Galliano’s style. He always has flare