News which has the fashion world buzzing is the appointment of John Galliano in the place of Hubert Givenchy at the helm of Givenchy in Paris. John Galliano looks like something of an enfant terrible when viewed from the present context of the conservative Givenchy Paris fashion house. As Galliano points out, in days past Givenchy were themselves considered quite outrageous and avante garde. His appointment as boss will place Givenchy firmly back in that category.
Givenchy's New Man!
When you think of classic designs, who comes to mind? Chanel? Christian Dior? John Galliano?
John Galliano is known more for his non-conformist style than anything you might call haute couture. The appointment of Mr. Galliano as head designer for the Givenchy house has surprised everyone, except himself. Ever since he was a child he's studied the way clothes are designed and put together, and he's always wanted his own couture house, so this move does not really surprise him. One day he hopes to be head of The House of Galliano. Galliano as a company presently do some couture but are not ready yet to take it all on.
This does not mean that there will no longer be a line under his own name. He will be dividing his time between time between London and Paris. He'll have two teams of staff working under him, one for Galliano and one for Givenchy.
His off-beat style is very different than the classic style of the former head of design, Hubert Givenchy. But after the initial shock of his appearance, (he currently sports dreadlocks and works under the summer Paris heat in shorts and trainer shoes), the staff at Givenchy will realise that he is a serious dress designer.
Does this mean a new look for the house of Givenchy? Of course it does. A new, young designer on board will help bring haute couture in general - and Givenchy in particular - into the 21st century, bringing with it a new, younger clientele.
John Galliano is very much influenced by the street, particularly the streets of London. The energy he finds there is peculiar to London, and is one that he does not find in Milan or Paris. Before every collection he always returns to London for inspiration. Even though he'll be in Paris, he still plans to do his research in London for the Galliano collections and he'll do the research for Givenchy in Paris, giving the two collections separate identities.
John Galliano has a different look every time you see him. You could say it's all part of being a creative person; one day he might look like a car salesman, the next a rasta. Once the House of Givenchy gets used to his frequent changes they'll realise that's how he works, he likes to feel things.
The staff at The House of Givenchy are naturally excited about the
prospect of working with this young designer from South London, and he
says he is looking forward to working with them. Galliano expects little in the
way of attrition from current staff but admits there may be some.