Widely recognised as one of the most influential and successful fashion designers of our time, John Galliano opens up about his career in a new documentary directed by Kevin Macdonald, which premieres
during Dublin International Film Festival …
Some of his most memorable collections included the Geisha Collection for SS2007 inspired by traditional Japanese culture; the Egyptian-inspired SS2004 collection which featured elaborate headpieces created by Philip Treacy to complement the garments. Then there were the Ballet Collection, AW2008, The Harem Collection, SS2009 and the Masquerade Ball collection AW2000 – all a celebration of opulence, drama and mystery. No wonder he won British Designer of the Year in 1987, 1994, 1995 and 1997.
“I was looking for a way to make a film about what happens when famous people ‘transgress’ and understand how they deal with that experience and how they seek forgiveness from society,” explains Kevin Macdonald. “Our society has a constantly evolving relationship with the idea of redemption; who can be redeemed and how.
“What particularly compelled me was that John didn’t really understand what had happened himself – it was still a mystery to him. During that first six-hour interview I was struck by how at ease John was – looking straight down the camera lens. It had the feeling of a confessional,” says Macdonald. In February 2022, Macdonald continued filming with Galliano as he returned to the Dior archives for the first time since he had been fired. Organised by LVMH and Christian Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, the trip was an emotional moment in the film; with members of the atelier reunited with him almost eleven years to the day that he left Dior.