John Galliano leaves Maison Margiela (#1685571)

After his triumphant haute couture show last January for Maison Margiela, John Galliano is bowing out. Rumors had been rife for several months. They are now confirmed. The star designer, who arrived at the emblematic house owned by Renzo Rosso's Italian OTB group at the end of 2014, did not renew his contract, which expired at the end of October.

“After ten years of inspiring, moving and fruitful collaboration, Maison Margiela and John Galliano are separating,” the designer and Renzo Rosso announced in a press release, without revealing either who will succeed him at Maison Margiela, or what future awaits the aged designer. 64 years old.

“Working with John was one of the most meaningful and impactful experiences of my life. He mentored me and showed me his vision, enriching me culturally and allowing me to bring part of that vision and this culture to the rest of the group”, indicates in the note Renzo Rosso, recalling how “over the last ten years, he, the Maison Margiela team and all the resources of the group have worked together to create the magic and write a founding chapter of this house unique”.

In these ten years, John Galliano has managed to bring Maison Margiela back to the forefront, his collections garnering an enthusiastic reception from the start. He also knew how to restore his image. After having relaunched the Christian Dior house with panache, the stylist from Gibraltar was fired for anti-Semitic comments made under the influence of alcohol. After four years in purgatory, he returned to the forefront of the fashion scene, regaining all his prestige.

“For now, I want to express my immense gratitude. I continue to redeem myself and I will never stop dreaming,” says the designer as he takes leave of Maison Margiela. And to thank in particular the boss of OTB, “Renzo Rosso who, by inviting me to take on the role of artistic director in the house that Martin built, gave me the greatest and most precious gift, by giving me the opportunity to rediscover my creative voice even though I had become voiceless.”

This departure is sure to revive speculation about his next destination. Some saw him at Fendi, after the departure of Kim Jones, who supervised the women's collections and haute couture of the Roman LVMH label. Others, at Chanel, while some dream of her return to Christian Dior.

As for his successor, it could very well be that the group finds the rare pearl within it. For example, Glenn Martens, who has been leading the creative direction of Italian denim manufacturer Diesel, OTB's historic brand, since 2020, seems the ideal candidate. Not only was he able to put Diesel back at the forefront of the fashion scene, but over the last ten years, the Belgian designer has established himself as one of the most interesting creators in the fashion sphere.

“The rumors… Everyone wants to know, and everyone wants to dream. When the time is right, everything will be revealed,” slips John Galliano on his Instagram account. A cryptic sentence, which will not fail to arouse the wildest hypotheses.