Fashion designer John Galliano has announced that he is stepping down as creative director of Maison Margiela after 10 years.
In a statement On Instagram, “Today is the day I say goodbye to the company”, Galliano said, adding that his “heart is filled with joy and gratitude, and my soul smiles”.
The 64-year-old did not announce his next job, saying only: “When the time is right, everything will be revealed.”
Fashion press outlets reported on Wednesday that Galliano’s five-year contract was close to expiring but chose not to renew.
Galliano has enjoyed a strong final year at the company thanks to the success of his Artisanal 2024 collection.
Fashion and culture magazine Dazed said He “captured the public imagination with his broken marionette look and Pat McGrath’s glassy, porcelain makeup”.
Following the collection’s debut, rapper Bad Bunny, singer Ariana Grande and actress Gwendoline Christie wore the custom items. At the 2024 Met Gala.
Galliano joined Margiela as creative director in 2014, three years after leaving Dior after he was accused of making anti-Semitic comments at a bar.
His lawyer at the time said the comments were the result of “work-related stress and multiple addictions”.
A French court Galliano was found guilty of making anti-Semitic comments in 2011 and was sentenced to a total of €6,000 (£4,940) in suspended fines.
His journey to redemption was documented in the film High and Low: John Galliano, which was released earlier this year.
During his time at Margiela over the past decade, Fashion bible Vogue said she has. “Cult label, beloved of art and fashion insiders, taken to new heights under incredibly private founder Martin Margiela”.
The magazine credited Galliano with overseeing significant growth at the company, which saw sales grow 24 percent in 2022 and 23 percent in 2023.
Vogue added: “Widely respected as one of fashion’s most talented couturiers, Galliano creates a world and a story behind his clothes.”
In his exit statement, Galliano said he was “forever grateful for this safe place to build and build a new family that supports me with courage and dignity”.
She added that she is “grateful to my fashion family for this life-saving creative moment and the safe space we created together”.
“I will readily admit that I am demanding and difficult to get away with when challenged,” he concluded. “But look what we’ve made.”