John Galliano leaves Margiela and reignites the fashion and luxury resurgence

After ten years and leaving behind the memory of a haute couture show in January that left everyone speechless, John Galliano is leaving Maison Margiela, the brand of Renzo Rosso's Otb group that he helped relaunch, as he had done as creative director of Dior.

In a post on Instagram first picked up by Vogue Business, the designer says that 'rumours say many things. For now I'm taking this moment to thank everyone. When the time is right, I will reveal something about the future. One thing is certain: I will never stop dreaming'.

The official announcement came a few minutes ago from Otb

"Working with John was one of the most meaningful and impactful experiences of my life. He mentored me and showed me his vision, enriching me culturally and allowing me to bring some of that vision and culture to the rest of the Group. I feel privileged to have worked with two legends like Martin and John," said Renzo Rosso, Chairman of the Otb Group. "Martin made the Maison a reference and an icon, John made it the most avant-garde couture house in the world. Over the last 10 years he, the Maison Margiela team and all the Group's resources have worked together to create magic and write a fundamental chapter of this unique fashion house. Our industry has a habit of thinking for decades and these 10 years of incredibly hard work, incredible fashion shows and installations, and extraordinarily beautiful products have laid the foundations for the future of Maison Margiela, which I am thrilled about. I wish my dear friend John the best of everything and I am sure there will be more collaborative projects in the future."

I express my gratitude to Renzo Rosso who, by inviting me to take on the role of Artistic Director in the maison that Martin built, gave me the greatest and most precious gift, giving me the opportunity to find my creative voice when I was voiceless. My wings have been mended and, ten years later, I am forever grateful for this safe space in which to create and for his unwavering support said Galliano - Gratitude to my design family for this life-saving creative moment and for the place we have built together; to my collaborators, whose support has been tender and courageous and who have walked with me along this narrow path to the here and now. Gratitude to my atelier, my 'A Team', devoted in conviction and dedicated to style and technique. We are enthusiastic about the importance of slow, ethical fashion and the influence it has on all our collections. Gratitude to my muses who inspire everything I do. You are my life. I want to celebrate the genderless collections we produce now and the support they have found, the films and shows we have created. They all focus on diversity, individuality, trans rights, queer rights, gender equality in the workplace, anti-racism and mental health advocacy. This is when family - the fashion industry - is at its best: when we support each other, when we don't judge each other, when we accept, forgive and help each other see the errors of our ways, not when we cancel each other out, because God is in all of us. I see changes around me: compassion and empathy. Finally, gratitude to two beautiful people, too humble to be named here, who allow me to live a better life than I ever dreamed of. Thank you. Look what we have built'.