HOW DOES JOHN GALLIANO COMMUNICATE STORIES SO MAGNIFICENTLY?

I have touched upon this question in a range of previous responses because this theme cannot be ignored, as John Galliano is one of the best fashion designers to articulate it!

Storytelling has always been embedded in the DNA of the fashion industry and is used as a medium to take us on a journey of escapism (Block, 2022). I agree with this statement wholly, but it ought to be recognised that storytelling is an element of which is continuously adaptable and needs to be adapted to accommodate a more demanding consumer.

Galliano has homed into this from day dot, constantly recreating the definitions of fashion through statement clothing with strong narratives, defying the limitations of garments and of the fashion rulebook. In an interview with Vanity Fair, John Galliano pronounced “I made up stories in my head, because it was a really nice place to be” and I feel this accentuates how he evokes this sense of escapism into his designs and imagery for others to resonate with as well. During his lowest times, creating stories was his only comfort and I think this is incredibly powerful and reasons as to why his collections are equally robust.

As aforementioned, collaborating with one of the most influential fashion photographers, Nick Knight, John Galliano is overcoming the boundaries of connecting with an audience and entering new heights of connecting emotionally in a digital and physical space. He is consistently thinking of new ways to market his stories, from garment and makeup to film and theatre, reaching a creative zenith every time. As Alexander Fury stated after reviewing the A/W Cinema Inferno collection for AnOther Man “his only competition, it seems, is himself” and I couldn’t resonate with this more.