This just in: John Galliano is officially departing Maison Margiela. The British designer announced his exit from the luxury French fashion house earlier today, after ten years at the helm of the brand. Prior to this appointment, Galliano was creative director of Dior and Givenchy, and is widely considered to be one of the biggest talents – and finest couturiers – of a generation.

Galliano broke the news via a heartfelt post on Instagram, in which he spoke of his ‘immense gratitude’ for the role. ‘Ten years later, I am forever grateful for this safe space to create and build a new family that supports me with courage and dignity,’ he wrote. Galliano also thanked his team and ‘fashion family’ for their unwavering support: ‘I’ll readily admit I’m demanding and difficult to run with when challenged, but look at what we have built.’

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Galliano’s successor at Margiela is yet to be announced, as is his own next move. ‘The rumours…’ wrote the designer in the same Instagram post. ‘Everyone wants to know and everyone wants to dream. When the time is right, all will be revealed.’

After a long period of creative director flux at the world’s foremost luxury fashion houses, Galliano’s news doesn’t come as too big a surprise – though where he might go next is the subject of much insider debate.

Galliano’s final Haute Couture show for Margiela 

Has the first domino fallen, that leads to the top job at Chanel finally being filled? Or might the bad boy of fashion himself be poised to take the reins from Virginie Viard? Only time will tell…

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