Designer John Galliano will leave Maison Margiela, according to a Wednesday Instagram post on his official page.
Galliano has been with the OTB-owned label for 10 years, and did not disclose his future plans, although he said in his post that “all will be revealed” when the time is right.
“Today is the day I say Goodbye to Maison Margiela,” wrote Galliano, adding that he has gratitude for his fashion family “for this life-saving creative moment and the safe space we have built together. My teams, whose support has been tender and courageous, have walked with me along this narrow pathway to the here and now.”
The designer also discussed his 14 years of sobriety, and said OTB founder and president Renzo Russo gave him “the greatest, most precious gift” when Russo offered him the artistic director position at Margiela.
At the time of his appointment, Galliano was seen by the industry as a controversial choice, due to a racist and antisemetic remarks he made at a Paris cafe in 2011, which led to him being fired from his role as creative director at LVMH-owned Christian Dior.
However, his tenure at Maison Margiela has provided him with critical success.
In addition, the label has done well financially, and showed a 23% year-over-year sales increase when OTB reported its fiscal 2023 earnings in February.
Galliano said in his Wednesday statement that he acknowledged his challenges but was also proud of his success at the company.
“I’ll readily admit I’m demanding and difficult to run with when challenged, but look at what we have built,” Galliano wrote.
