Rumors were circulating among tongues and anonymous Instagram accounts, and now the protagonist has cleared up any doubts. After ten years at the helm, John Galliano is leaving Maison Margiela.
In a statement posted on his social media, the Gibraltarian confesses that his heart is "overflowing with gratitude" and that his "soul is smiling." He clarifies that this December 11 marks 14 years since the last time he consumed alcohol. From now on, this date will also be marked by another ending: his relationship with the Belgian fashion house founded by Martin Margiela.
In the text, the designer refers to two people who have helped him "live a life that I never thought possible. However, they are too humble to allow me to mention them. They know who they are." Comments from his followers point to one of his biggest public supporters: the also British Anna Wintour, who through the themes of the Met Gala, which she oversees, has propelled Galliano's social resurgence.
The other significant figure in redirecting the career of the creative director is mentioned in the text. The Gibraltarian recounts a night in Tokyo with Renzo [Rosso], the majority shareholder of Maison Margiela. When the Italian mentioned the legacy he planned to leave to the world, his work, and his children, Galliano recalls, he suddenly thought of the eponymous brand he had to renounce after the incidents in Paris in 2011. "The greatest gift Rosso has given me has been the opportunity to allow myself to rediscover my creative voice when I had been silenced." After a conversation with Martin Margiela in which the founder of the brand encouraged him to take what was useful from the brand's DNA, the designer accepted the direction of the maison in 2014. "But first, I had to complete my recovery."
Galliano expresses gratitude for the fashion industry's support, celebrating its spirit "when we collectively support each other, do not judge each other. When we accept, forgive, and help each other see the error of our ways. Being brave enough to unlearn, re-educate ourselves from the past (because we learn socially) to share, feel empathy, and practice compassion."
The designer emphasizes the "second chance" that has been granted to him. "With childlike eyes and forgotten innocence, we mend ourselves and believe in ourselves again, for God is in each one of us. Not when we cancel each other out."
At the last Met Gala, Kim Kardashian chose a design by Galliano for Maison Margiela.Getty
The former creative director of Dior publicly engages in an act of contrition: "Forgiving myself was, for a time, the most difficult act. I felt guilty that my behavior perpetuated the stereotype that creativity had to be fueled by alcohol and drugs. That old, negative rock and roll attitude. With my teams, we have shown that creativity never goes out of style. It is not driven by those destructive forces, but by a creative community that cares and considers design." He confesses that his attitude is now shaped by "joy. You matter, and we care about you."
Regarding his future, surrounded by journalistic gossip and blogs mentioning Chanel, he adds: "The rumors... everyone wants to know, and everyone wants to dream. When the time comes, everything will be revealed. For now, I take this time to express my immense gratitude. I continue to redeem myself and will never stop dreaming. I need to do it too."