John Galliano on Martin Margiela, dressing Zendaya and Kim Kardashian and his love of the process
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Published 2024-06-27
This year marks a decade of John Galliano helming the house of Maison Margiela.
It’s also a year where Galliano has enjoyed unprecedented highs, beginning with an Artisanal show in Paris in January that marked a return to his signature theatricality and prompted a tidal wave of think pieces and social media adulation.
The impact of the show has reverberated throughout the year, followed by the release of Kevin MacDonald’s documentary “High & Low: John Galliano” and then high profile red carpet collaborations with Kim Kardashian and Zendaya for the Met Gala.
Galliano seems more at ease than he’s ever been creatively and personally, and it is at this point where he sat down with Anders Christian Madsen, journalist and collaborator of Maison Margiela, to speak at length about his creative process.
Together, they delve into the impact of that groundbreaking show, why Galliano feels free to lean into his personal and design legacy and how at Margiela, Galliano has managed to make time to foster the act of creation.
In conversation: John Galliano and Anders Christian Madsen
00:53 - 05:34 John Galliano and Anders Madsen discussing the reception of the Maison Margiela Spring 2024 Artisanal Show, especially on Gen Z and TikTok, and his multimedia approach of recent years
05:35 - 09:27 Galliano on spending time with Martin Margiela, and how he makes the house his own, and the psychology of steering the Margiela house
09:28 - 12:58 Galliano being inspired by younger generations and revisiting his signature techniques like the bias cut on different fabrics
12:58 - 14:41 Galliano’s experience on filming his documentary
14:47 - 17:12 Dressing Kim Kardashian for the Met Gala 2024
17:13 - 21:02 Working with Zendaya, and her two different Met Gala looks, creating a role for her to play
21:03 - 23:30 Galliano revealing the process behind the Artisanal couture show, fitting bias cut on preordained shapes, and creating aquarelle effects and retrograding dresses
23:58 - 27:55 Showcasing Galliano’s research into porcelain dolls, Brassai, the process of the menswear pieces and his couture techniques at the Margiela Open House in their HQ in Paris
28:00 - 32:41 How Galliano manages to keep his level of creative integrity, how important time is to the process of creating, and the level of detail couture takes
32:41 - 34:04 Corset training Leon Dame, Galliano’s love for shopping
34:05 - 37:34 Where Galliano finds his inspiration from, his muses, the importance of music and scent to him
37:37 - 42:02 How it feels to wear present day Margiela in the words of Galliano, and how he prioritises designs with soul above everything.
Publishing Director Mike Obenson
Interview by Anders Christian Madsen
Director Fiona Hartley
Produced by Deux Deux Deux, Louis Ghodsi
DOPs Lou Respinger, Ambre Fraisse, Jeremie Levy
Sound Marvin Houziaux, Raphaël Revault
Assistant editor Cheuk Ng
Editorial Board Jonathan Wingfield, Elizabeth Von Guttman, Thomas Lenthal
Digital Editorial Director Susie Lau
Digital Graphic Designer Moritz Tibes
Original music composition by Frederic Sanchez
All Comments (21)
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It's like watching Picasso or Monet being interviewed. It isn't lost on me how privileged we are to be alive at the same time as this man.
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Galliano again and again until the end of time. So thankful he’s getting his shine & flowers after owning his past messes & mistakes. His creations are an unlimited gift to culture, where we have a whole lot of hot air & boring hype.
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I’m happy for John, he seems calmer, more peaceful. He will always be an inspiration.
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This man is a genius couturier and artist who has been to dark places and come out a better man. What a great man. I’m in awe.
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I do not think that it is fair to ask John Galliano not to be “John Galliano“ for any house that he works for. That is what a designer does. They bring their style, creativity, and vision to the house that they are working for.
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I want him to just read my favorite books, so I can fall asleep to his voice. Reminds me of a river stream.
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I was fortunate to be a student at St Martin's in the late '80s and work as an assistant to John Galliano, then using as a studio the floor above a garage in the King''s Road
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We’ve lost so many genius designers in recent times that it is wonderful to have still in our midst, the truly revolutionary and amazingly creative visionary John Galliano.
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I remember when I had the grace to meet him at a spa while working for a five star brand in NYC. He was gracious and elegant as always! ❤❤❤
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My favourite designer of all time❤
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JG is the sole remaining legend in the fashion industry.❤
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I’m so happy to see John Galliano doing well. He’s been through so much and it’s great seeing him in a calm place. The man is a genius and I’m wishing him all the best 👏👏👏👏👏👏
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“The senses. All senses.” John Galliano nobody does it better 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎
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This guy really is the last of the mohicans. A real designer and pioneer.
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John is one of a kind. What a time to be alive and see his work in fashion. Forever an Icon.
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When most of the ppl accusing Anna Wintour who is the devil, don't forget She is the one and only powerful human being successfully saved John Galliano so that we could still have chance to witness the creation of this gifted talent designer in 2024
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First and foremost thank for bring us the God of all fashion designers. Sir John Galliano you are revolutionary, and a game changer , your past creations are still fresh in my mind to this day and no one to this day has come to your level of understanding the garment industry especially couture. Your creativity and designs are mind blowing . ❤
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Mr. Galliano is such an amazing talent.
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I'm so happy to see John so well, he seems more peaceful with himself, with life. Thanks John for inspiring me so much since i was a child loving fashion, drama and fashion history, i hope we have the chance to see more of him like in the old days
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Such a blessing to experience a genius in real time
