The whole sour affair surrounding John Galliano and his subsequent expulsion from Dior has left us heartbroken and disappointed to see a dark, unpalatable side of the legendary master of couture.
The wounds are still fresh and Galliano’s financial involvement with LVMH is complex to say the least, but business must continue and a successor found.
So who could possibly replace John Galliano at the helm of Dior? Will the new designer take the maison in a completely new direction or look to the archives the restore a sense of stability? Take a look at the closest contenders…
Mutterings in fashion circles suggest that Italian designer Riccardo Tisci will make the move from fellow LVMH brand Givenchy. During his five years with Givenchy, Tisci has transformed it into a youthful, desirable brand with his dark, rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic.
The move would mirror Galliano’s own sidestep from Givenchy to Dior and although Tisci has made Givenchy his own, the cachet of Dior may prove an alluring option.
Alber Elbaz has also been named as a potential replacement and with his amiable nature and reverence to Lanvin’s heritage, he would be a desirable choice. But would Elbaz want or need to leave Lanvin while at the height of his career?
Olivier Theyskens charmed critics with his demi-couture at Rochas and developed a more wearable aesthetic at Nina Ricci. Fashion editors have been going mad for his sleek tailoring at Theory, but it’s possible that he’d jack in bon chic for a more creative role in the blink of an eye.
However, Theyskens’ anti-capitalist philosophy may constantly be at odds with Dior’s courting of a more trashing monogram-mad market, which defines most of the brand’s sales. He’s turned the job down twice already, but the current crisis could mean a more attractive offer from Dior.
Ironically, Anna Wintour recently claimed that the Rodarte sisters had the ‘Imagination and originality to be in the same spirit as a John [Galliano] or an Alexander.’ Now it could be time to put La Wintour’s prophecy to the test.
Kate and Laura Mulleavy have the gothic, theatrical sensibilities to continue Dior’s otherworldly aesthetic, but it’s questionable whether they would fit the corporate LVMH mould.
Other potential candidates are said to be from the LVMH stable – Phoebe Philo of Céline and the group’s golden boy Marc Jacobs.
Phoebe Philo’s minimalist-luxe vision for Céline is worlds apart from the playful decadence of Dior and would Marc Jacobs really leave Louis Vuitton, which seems to run perfectly in tandem with his eponymous label?
Who do you think will succeed John Galliano at Dior? Will Dior play it safe or take a chance on a younger designer?