In January 2024, the British designer delivered one of the most extraordinary shows of the last ten years for Maison Margiela. Subsequently, rumors swirled of his departure. It’s now official and it’s even him who, in a very long post, recounts the end of this adventure which brought him back to life and fashion.
It was John Galliano himself who formalized his departure from the Maison Margiela brand on his Instagram account with great emotion and sincerity, lifting the veil on part of his life. And in particular on his fourteen years of sobriety when his various addictions had led him to scandal and a trial for anti-Semitic insults while he was the great artistic director of Dior. He of course returns to the role played by Renzo Rosso, CEO of the OTB (Only the Brave) group which owns Maison Margiela and who came to get him when everyone thought he was finished. On his decisive meeting with “Martin” (Margiela) who reconciled him with his identity as a creator. Here are excerpts from this digital “letter”.
“Today I say goodbye to Maison Margiela. My heart overflows with joyful gratitude and my soul smiles. Because I’m 14 years old today, 14 years sober. I’m living a better life than I ever imagined, and it’s thanks to two people – two truly beautiful people who I love and cherish. However, they are too humble to allow me to mention their names here. We know who they are, and I will be forever indebted to them, forever grateful.
The rumors… Everyone wants to know, everyone wants to dream. When the time comes, all will be revealed. For now, I take the time to express my immense gratitude. I continue to redeem myself, and I will never stop dreaming.
(…)
The greatest and most precious gift that Renzo (Rosso) offered me was the opportunity to rediscover my creative voice when I no longer had one. My wings repaired and I better understood the all-consuming act of creativity. My gratitude for the sentiment “Only the Brave,” tattooed on him, is profound. Having such a mark on your skin means you truly believe in this motto. He can be very persuasive – his positivity is contagious.
By inviting me to take on the role of artistic director in the house that Martin built, and by allowing Martin and I to have a “cup of tea” together, this man tipped the scales in my favor . This man tipped the scales for me. He made me feel like I could do this job, even when I doubted I was the right person for it or dared to assume I was. Martin’s joy and his long-hidden wish to see a fashion designer take on this role were accompanied by some kind advice: “ Take what you want from the DNA of the House, protect yourself, and make it yours, you know how to do it ».
In front of this gentleman, I had a revelation: I was ready.
I would only surround myself with like-minded, strong people who share the same work ethic. I informed Renzo that I would accept his kind offer, but that my recovery had to come first, and that is what happened. Ten years later, I am forever grateful for this safe space that allowed me to create and build a new family that supports me with courage and dignity.
Although not much has changed in the industry at the time, my perspective on it has changed dramatically. I am starting to see changes all around me: compassion and empathy.
I’m grateful to my fashion family for this life-saving creative moment and for the safe place we’ve built together. My teams, whose support has been tender and courageous, have accompanied me on this narrow path towards the here and now.
Human beings, at their best, are resilient, creative and inventive when they are not afraid to be themselves.
I freely admit that I am demanding and difficult to deal with when challenged, but look…
That’s when family – the fashion industry – performs best: when we collectively support each other, not when we judge each other. When we accept, forgive, and help each other understand our mistakes. We have the courage to unlearn, to re-educate ourselves from the past – because society has learned it -, to share, to show empathy and compassion.
A second chance. With childish eyes and forgotten innocence, we make amends, believing in ourselves, for God is in each of us. NOT when we cancel each other out.
This precious gift I speak of, supported by dear and loved ones, allows me to see the world anew through a different lens. It allows me to share this experience with the young adults who join us, thus strengthening self-confidence.
You can be whoever you want – with joy. You matter and we care about you.
Forgiving myself was, for a while, the hardest act. I felt guilty for perpetuating the stereotype that creativity had to be fueled by alcohol and drugs. That old rock-and-roll attitude. SO WRONG. With my teams, we have proven that creativity never goes out of style. It is not fueled by these destructive forces, but by a creative community that cares and cares about design.
(…)
To my workshop, to my “A” team – dedicated to belief, style and technique – thank you. We welcome the importance of slow and ethical fashion and its influence on all our collections. the pyramid working method. Your exceptional knowledge and ability to communicate a line with feeling and emotion is at the heart of all creation. Together, we are driven by beauty, the search for balance, construction and the lightness of a feather.”
