It brought to mind something fashion journalist Dana Thomas mentioned in her book Gods and Kings, which detailed the ascent and decline of two fashion titans of the late 20th century: Alexander McQueen and John Galliano. Thomas wrote, “With Galliano, you experienced the flamboyant possibilities of fashion—exquisitely absurd, he mesmerized us with extravagance. There was always a blend and discordance between the now and the past, as if witnessing fashion history in the immediacy of the moment.”
I grew up watching Galliano’s extravagantly theatrical shows years later on YouTube, always with a hint of regret. They made me feel like I belonged in a different era—oh, to have been there, witnessing those scenes live, notebook in hand! Nonetheless, that euphoric era came to a halt in 2011 when Galliano was dismissed from Dior following a drunken, antisemitic outburst. After engaging with Jewish organizations and undergoing rehabilitation, he quietly assumed the helm at Margiela in 2014. His talent remains undeniable, yet, perhaps as a form of reparation, he has opted to remain out of the limelight.
Tara Gonzales for Harper’s Bazaar
