1. John Galliano PERSONAL DETAILS Name: Juan Carlos Antonio Galliano John Galliano DOB: 28 th November 1960. Nationality: Gibraltan- British Education: Central st. Martin’s, London. Label: John Galliano and Christian Dior CV: John Galliano Givenchy, 1995 Christian Dior, 1996

2. FACT 2: Famous for creating some of the most spectacular and breathtaking fashion shows in recent years. Theatrical is his way of showing his fashion, he is all about drama and theatricality, John wouldn’t show a collection on a catwalk with plain beige walls with his name in the background so that photographers remember his clothes when they develop their photographs. Andre Leon Talley (fashion editor Vouge) Fact 1: John Galliano is one of the most influential designers of our time, a creative genius.

3. FACT 3:FACT He launched his own label before becoming chief designer of France's haute couture flagship, Christian Dior, in Paris in 1996. Images from Galliano’s first collection at Givenchy Fact 4: Galliano was the first British designer ever to become fashion director for a French Couture house. Fact 5: One of Galliano’s first commissions at Dior was a dress for Princess Diana for a gala dinner at the MET, New York. Madonna wore Dior for the New York premier of the film Evita in which she stared. Diana Princess of Wales wearing Dior. John has a strong idea of a woman, who she is; he creates a story, conjures up a character which forms a collection. Amanda Harlech

4. Fact 8: Galliano’s bias cutting technique became the main influence on women’s evening wear during the late 1990’s. Fact 6: Galliano is keen to evolve traditional cutting techniques, he is experimental with his own label, therefore designs take longer to work out. Fact 7: One of Galliano’s legacies is his development of the bias cut. It is a difficult technique to work with as it stretches and drops as a result it needs to be hung for a few days before sewing the seams together on the garment. The Bias cut clings to body’s natural curves the technique works with the body temperature breaking down the fibres in the so that they mould to the body resulting in a second skin it’s a very unforgiving fit. Galliano would rub the girl’s body’s wearing bias cut dresses before a catwalk show to get a good fit. John is a truly creative spirit and personality, he gives fashion an inventive madness. Anna Wintor (editor-in chief of USA Vogue)

5. MadeleineVionnet Faith 9: The bias cut technique is believed to have been created by the designer Madeleine Vionnet in the 1930’s. Fact 10 : Galliano and his team have developed an advance bias cutting technique that cleverly conceals the garments seams around the body incorporating them into a leaf design that runs through the front of the dress forming a flower at the centre front bust.

6. Fact 11: Galliano is credited with reviving the house of Dior, to its former glory. Dior 1947 Dior 1997 Fact 12: Galliano’s first couture collection for Dior coincided with the 50 th anniversary of the label. The collection featured designs influenced by Dior’s New look of 1947. Galliano’s style comes from so many diverse points, a dance floor, the V&A, Charles James ball gowns or the flea market, Andre Leon Talley John has a strong idea of a woman, who she is; he creates a story, conjures up a character which forms a collection. Amanda Harlech

7. Fact 13: Galliano begins each collection with a character or role model, which gives the collection a theme or focus, André Leon Talley Fact 15: His attention to detail is so intricate, he accessorises the outfits in his collections down to minor detail. Galliano has worked and collaborated with milliner Stephen Jones form many years. Fact 14: Galliano’s inspiration can come from anywhere or anything. One of his most remarkable pieces of inspiration was a sweatshirt bought for 50p at a vintage shop in Kings Road London. It became the inspiration behind a “showpiece” outfit for his 1995 own label collection. He worked with renowned Parisian beadier Lesage to produce a show stopping dress. All the seams of the dress were cleverly hidden in the image of the horse.

8. “I’m quite shy with people I don’t know. I enjoy expressing myself through clothes, part of the creative flow is to have a feel for the design process - the way I look, my hair does relate to my collections sometimes without me knowing or realising” John Galliano Galliano has a very distinctive And personal style Fact 16: Galliano is Known for his outrageous clothes and wild living.

9. Fact 17: Galliano is a favourite with actresses and celebrities who choose his designs for premiers and award ceremonies.

10. Galliano’s work at Christian Dior Fact 18: Galliano has a passion for clubbing and music, something he credits as inspiration behind his work. His close friend dance music DJ Jeremy Healy has produced the music for all his fashion shows since the launch of his student collection in 1984. Fact 19: Galliano’s main ambition for the future is to own his own Haute Couture House