All the whispers, rumors, and endless speculation over the past few months about John Galliano leaving Maison Margiela and the industry's plans to bring him back to his former glory had us on edge. But then, in a moment of profound grace, Galliano himself gave us something far more intimate; a heartfelt post filled with gratitude, reflection, and emotion, one that moved me to tears. First of all this comes from a deeply personal place, not as a critic or an analyst, but as someone who has long admired Galliano’s brilliance. This isn't about his creativity, the scandal that overshadowed his career, or even his departure from Margiela. It’s about how my heart feels right now, overwhelmed with emotion, tears literally running down my cheeks as I find myself thinking about three of the designers I’ve always looked up to while reading his announcement.
We all know the story, one of the most brilliant designers of our time brought low by a single, infamous moment. The incident that cost Galliano his position at Dior. Public condemnation, scrutiny from the industry, and the personal toll were impossible to escape. Supported by Anna Wintour, he had a chance at Oscar de la Renta, where he expressed a desire to create again, saying “ I am able to create. I am ready to create and I hope through my atonement I'll be given a second chance." I am a strong believer in second chances but his expression seemed somehow premature. The rawness of the pain still lingered, and I wasn’t sure if he could truly heal from his past, and I wasn’t sure if he can forgiven by the fashion industry. As a young fashion student Galliano was one of my idols, a designer who was, and still is, one of the greatest. His work wasn’t just glamorous; it was bold, grotesque, and a perfect reflection of his unflinching creativity. To me, he was a revolutionary, a rebel who shattered boundaries, who dared to be different. When the incident happened, I mourned not just for him but for what felt like a personal loss. It wasn’t just the loss of a designer, it was the loss of a visionary who had so deeply impacted my own understanding of fashion as well. The grief was real, the anger palpable. I couldn't help but question how someone so full of creativity could fall victim to such self-destructive behaviors. I blamed his family, I blamed the fashion industry, the fame, money, and his alcohol & drug abuse. I was young and naive maybe, but in some way, I felt disappointed in life, as though life had betrayed him and in doing so, had somehow betrayed me too. I couldn’t understand how someone with such incredible talent could fall so far. It was painful to witness his ‘death’ especially when we had lost another visionary Alexander McQueen, just months before that incident. I was just heartbroken. In a selfish way maybe but having these geniuses to look up to and knowing that they carved their place in high fashion was just so inspiring and so motivating to push the limit and go beyond what we have seen as glamorous all those years. And then, all of a sudden, their creations and the possibility of learning from them seemed to vanish! The grief, the anger, the sadness was immense. The world of fashion felt like it had been robbed of two of its greatest geniuses of our time. Watching them crumble under the weight of fame, expectations, and personal demons was a painful reminder of the fragility of our existence.
As the years passed, I found myself yearning for his return. I questioned if we treat everyone the same in this cancel culture or do we choose scapegoats, or if it is even necessary to cancel someone because of one mistake they did especially if they are under the influence of alcohol and drug? I began to understand the healing process that Galliano was undergoing. My empathy for him deepened, as did my respect for his journey of self-discovery, regret, and ultimately, forgiveness, and above all, the courage it took to rebuild himself. He didn’t demand for a place at the table which he deserved to be, he simply let it unfold, he wanted to make amends, just a quiet, steady evolution toward forgiveness, both from others and, perhaps more importantly, from himself.
When the Maison Margiela Artisanal 2024 collection debuted, a triumph, a return from the dead, or rather, a rebirth. It was as if we had lost someone dear, only to realize they were still with us. And yet, it wasn’t a resurrection, it was a transformation, a reinvention, a rebirth. There was an undeniable joy in witnessing his creations once again. And in that joy, I felt something profound stir within me; hope. Hope in the power of second chances, hope for those who dare to evolve, and hope for life. I was filled with happiness, not just for Galliano, but for today’s young designers, who now have the chance to experience the euphoria of watching JG’s creativity unfold before their eyes. More than a decade after the incident, his comeback felt almost divinely timed, like the universe had conspired to let this moment happen. We see a different persona now, but his creativity remains as unmistakably brilliant as it ever was but this time without self-destruction. As he wrote in his recent post, “I felt guilty that my behaviour perpetuated the stereotype that creativity had to be fuelled by drink and drugs.” In those simple words, Galliano did something remarkable and he shattered that stereotype.
In an industry that often lures its brightest minds into a cycle of excess, drugs, alcohol, and long hours under immense pressure, the idea that self-destruction is necessary for creation has long been perpetuated. But Galliano’s return proves that creativity does not need to be fueled by chaos. In fact, it thrives when one frees themselves from the shackles of their own destructive habits. Artists, designers, and creators often fall into an ouroboros, an endless cycle of destruction and creation. But the question remains: does one really need to destroy themselves to create something?
As a strong believer in second chances in life I truly feel that John Galliano has not only found himself, but he has reclaimed his place again. The Maison Margiela Artisanal 2024 collection was a masterclass in craftsmanship, creativity, and most of all, in authenticity. Even without a name attached, it screamed John Galliano in every fabric, every silhouette, every intricate detail. His brilliance, his dedication, his patience, and his legacy deserves to take its place once again but this time even better with even more gratitude, humility, and wisdom.
He said “Everyone wants to know, and everyone wants to dream.” And I dream that the next time we hear from him it will be the announcement of THE return of John Galliano. The world is waiting, and he is ready.