Confirmed! John Galliano Is Maison Martin Margiela’s Creative Director

Last week, I exclusively reported that John Galliano was headed to Maison Martin Margiela. Today, it has been confirmed that the fashion designer is now the new Creative Director at the upscale house. He is expected to show his first designs for the Paris-based label in January 2015 during Paris Couture Week.

“Margiela is ready for a new charismatic creative soul,” Renzo Rosso, president of OTB told Women’s Wear Daily. “John Galliano is one of the greatest, undisputed talents of all time — a unique, exceptional couturier for a maison that always challenged and innovated the world of fashion. I look forward to his return to create that fashion dream that only he can create, and wish him to here find his new home.”

According to Women’s Wear Daily, “OTB noted the appointment of a “visionary, non-conformist” talent would give ‘significance to the iconoclastic heritage of Margiela, and new impulse to its exciting future.'”

The appointment of a star designer like Galliano also suggests that Rosso is keen to bring more attention to Margiela — and willing to risk a possible backlash by embracing a disgraced designer.

Rosso’s OTB swept in and bought a majority stake in Margiela in 2002, one of series of acquisitions aimed at building a multi-brand Italian group. More recent investments include Viktor & Rolf and Marni.

Photos Credit: Patrick Demarchelier