Fashion designer John Galliano celebrates 64 years

This Thursday (28), fashion designer John Galliano turns 64 years old. His career is marked by a mixture of creative genius, controversies that impacted his career and a renaissance of his art, consolidating himself as one of the most iconic figures in contemporary fashion, leaving his signature on brands such as Givenchy, Dior and Maison Margiela, and helping to shape haute couture as we understand it today.

Rise and controversies

Born in Gibraltar in 1960, John Galliano moved to south London at the age of six. Although his academic performance was average, his passion for fashion blossomed at St. Martin's School of Art. His graduation collection, Les Incroyables (1984), caught immediate attention, opening the door to his meteoric rise. After some difficult years and even some bankruptcies, Galliano took over as creative director of Givenchy in 1995, becoming the first Briton to head the fashion house. The following year, he arrived at Dior, where he began an era of unprecedented opulence and creativity. During his 15 years at Dior, he revolutionized fashion with theatrical shows and collections that explored historical and cultural themes, an approach that became his trademark.

Fall and resurgence

In 2011, Galliano was fired from Dior after anti-Semitic statements that caused worldwide repercussions. Despite the fall, he found support from big names such as Kate Moss and Oscar de la Renta, who helped him return to the fashion scene. In 2014, he was appointed creative director of Maison Margiela, where he continued to redefine haute couture with his unique and innovative vision. In 2024, Galliano presented the acclaimed Artisanal Spring/Summer collection and dressed major celebrities, such as Zendaya and Kim Kardashian, at the Met Gala, reaffirming his legacy and his capacity for reinvention.

Check out some of John Galliano's most iconic design works below, which marked his career and left an indisputable legacy in the world of fashion.

_{John Galliano Pin Up Collection, was presented in 1995 in a warehouse in the Pigalle district, in Paris (Photo: reproduction/Instagram/@do.like.that)}

1.John Galliano Pin Up 1995

Elements such as cars, clothes lines and corrugated metal structures defined this collection, with its signature bias cut displayed alongside tailored blazer sets. Linda Evangelista, in a canary yellow dress, closed the show, leaving an indelible impression on fashion.

_{Promotional video for the Maison Margiela Artisanal 2024 Collection by John Galliano (Video: reproduction/Instagram/@maisonmargiela)}

2. Maison Margiela Artisanal Spring/Summer 2024

A fusion of old and new, with structured corsets, voluminous skirts and embroidered tulle, all wrapped in an artistic haze. Galliano brought Parisian decadence to the fore, immortalized by Pat McGrath's makeup and ethereal atmosphere.

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_{Zendaya attends the 2024 Met Gala, celebrating “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York (Photo: reproduction/Marleen Moise/Getty Images Embed)}

3. Zendaya at the 2024 Met Gala

Zendaya wore a sage green lamé bias-cut dress adorned with iridescent blue organza and intricate embroidery, paying homage to Madame Yevonde's 1930s photographic works. The piece reflects Galliano's elegance and boldness, with a strong connection to the Artisanal 2020 collection.

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_{Givenchy fashion show, Haute Couture, Spring-Summer 1996 collection in Paris, January 1996, France (Photo: reproduction/Daniel Simon/Getty Images Embed)}

4. Givenchy Spring/Summer 1996

Galliano's debut at Givenchy was marked by crêpe dresses and challenging atelier constructions. The grandeur was accompanied by Victorian collars, giant sashes and feather adornments, creating an aesthetic of historical pomp.

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_{Christian Dior Spring-Summer 1997 haute couture show, in Paris, France (Photo: reproduction/Daniel Simon/Getty Images Embed)}

5. Dior Spring/Summer 1997

A true tribute to haute couture, with a debutante ball atmosphere and a giant pedestal in the center of the catwalk. Models in silk and taffeta paraded around this monument, evoking the feeling of an isolated celebration of sophistication and luxury.

Featured photo: John Galliano presents the British Menswear Emerging Talent award on stage during The Fashion Awards 2017 in London, England (Reproduction/Tristan Fewings/Getty Images Embed)