There is no doubt that consumerism is responsible for a society that is addicted to sensory stimulation. Future eulogies of this generation are sure to say that we were addicted to hedonism! In order for anything to warrant our undivided attention, everything must be ostentatious and spectacular! The creative realms of film and fashion are panderers to our disease. When considering the notion of the spectacle- particularly in the realm of fashion, there are only a few designers who are as synonymous with sensationalism as the legendary John Galliano.

That Galliano is one of the most influential iconic designers of our generation is indisputable- his exclusive haute couture runway shows bear testament to this phenomenon. From his initial 1984 collection, Les Incroyables, which transformed London into a French Revolutionary street scene, to a party at the Opéra Garnier in Paris thrown by Venetian aristocracy or the decadence of a Moroccan souk - complete with guest appearance from a couture-clad Princess Pocohontas- Galliano’s talents as a designer and hedonist never fails to impress his privileged guests. The whimsical and colorful exotic nature of this French and Castilian wunderkind are the foundation from which his creative genius emerges. Within a remarkably short period Galliano’s monumental success has cemented his reputation as one of the great designers of our era.

It is safe to say that no other runway in the world can compete with Galliano’s in exorbitance or creativity. Whereas a lot of the fashion houses are used to lavish and sumptuous runways, Galliano’s runways exude a savoir faire that distinguishes him any other. Consider the exquisite Princess Lucretia collection, inspired by the Russian princess, in the Schlumberger mansion with rose petals strewn on the floors and chandeliers! Or even his first couture collection for Dior at the Grand Hotel in Paris where the ground floor was a replica of Christian Dior’s late 1940s showroom complete with 791 gold chairs and 4,000 roses. No other runway in the world, certainly no other designer especially one that was once described as a young upstart has ever in the history of fashion rivaled the creative genius of Galliano. His devotion to beauty and perfection is legendary, definitely intimidating and it is no small wonder that his annual dozen shows are social events.

Galliano’s collections this year for the fashion emporium Christian Dior were highly anticipated events which attracted the crème de la crème of international society who clamored to purchase his one of a kind creations such as couture dresses, shoes and fragrances. One would imagine that the global recession would have a particularly detrimental impact in the world of haute couture; and indeed it has with Christian Lacroix declaring bankruptcy. However, other fashion houses are seeing continued patronage. The cast of celebrities and moguls at his recent pret a porter show -Milla Jovovich, Victoria Abril, Bruno Doc Gyneco Vincent Perez, Harvey Weinstein, Rachel Zoe and Karine Sylla certainly demonstrates his appeal. Due to his omnipotence in the fashion world, Galliano has become a brand that inspires devotion and acolytes.