John Galliano, CBE, RDI

John Charles Galliano CBE, is a Gibraltar-born British fashion designer who was the head designer of French fashion companies Givenchy (July 1995 to October 1996), Christian Dior (October 1996 to March 2011), his own label John Galliano (1988 to 2011) and Maison Margiela (from 2014).

Style is wearing an evening dress to McDonald's, wearing heels to play football. It is personality, confidence and seduction.

He has been named British Designer of the Year four times - 1987, 1994, 1995 and 1997 when he shared the award with Alexander McQueen.

I think people should have fun with fashion, should enjoy wearing beautiful clothes--but also not save everything for the best. Fashion is there to be enjoyed, to be indulged--to wow in. Don't save it for Sunday best only. Get it out of the tissue paper and be sensational every day.

He studied at Saint Martin's School of Art, from which he graduated in 1984 with a first class honours degree in Fashion Design. His first collection was inspired by the French Revolution and entitled Les Incroyables. The collection received positive reviews and was bought in its entirety for resale in the London fashion boutique Browns.

Galliano then started his own fashion label alongside long-term collaborators Amanda Harlech, at that time stylist with Harpers and Queen, and Stephen Jones, a gifted milliner.

You shouldn't ask why do you wear a hat? What you really should be asking is why are you not? How can a look be complete without a hat?

He was introduced to Portuguese socialite and fashion patron Sao Schlumberger and financial backers of venture firm Arbela Inc, John Bult and Mark Rice. It was through this partnership that Galliano received the financial backing and high society stamp needed to give him credibility in Paris. This collection was important in the development of Galliano as a fashion house and is regarded as a fashion moment in high fashion circles.

Above all, John Galliano menswear is all about good design. And men have been short-changed by good design for too long.

Men have got more of a discerning eye. They appreciate cut and details, things that aren't so obvious. They like things that have cachet and gentlemanliness.

In July 1995, he was appointed as the designer of Givenchy by Bernard Arnault, owner of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, becoming the first British designer to head a French haute couture house.

In October 1996, LVMH moved Galliano to Christian Dior, where he received critical acclaim for his Haute Couture and ready-to-wear collections.

I'm an accomplice to helping women get what they want.
Women are women, and hurray for that.

In 2001, he was awarded a CBE in the 2001 Birthday Honours List for his services to the Fashion Industry as a Fashion Designer.

In early 2013, Galliano accepted an invitation from Oscar de la Renta, brokered by Anna Wintour, for a temporary residency at de la Renta's design studio to help prepare for a showing of his Fall 2013 ready-to-wear collection during February New York Fashion Week.

I have learned so much about myself. I have re-discovered that little boy who had the hunger to create, which I think I had lost.

I'm a creative person, and no one can take that away from me.

On 6 October 2014, it was announced that John Galliano had joined Maison Margiela to take the responsibility of the creative direction of the house, marking the designer's return to a leading role in designing luxury fashion. Just a few weeks later, on the occasion of the annual British Fashion Awards, Galliano presented the Outstanding Achievement Award to Anna Wintour who wore Galliano's first creation for Maison Martin Margiela.

The new Galliano will be even bigger and better... I love working, it's my therapy. I can draw until four in the morning every night and not feel tired... I've come face to face with my demons, medicine and alcohol. I have rebuilt myself again.

I don't care about money. I really don't care. I just want to do what I do

On 26 September 2018, Galliano made a statement in Paris at his Maison Margiela show, when he unveiled Mutiny, his first perfume for the fashion house.

In a BBC poll in 2004, he was named the fifth most influential person in British culture.

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