Haute Couture Highlights From John Galliano's Reign as Creative Director of Maison Margiela

The news that John Galliano is stepping down from the role of creative director of Maison Margiela is hard to take. Sure, there have been rumors swirling around that this inevitable day would come. Now that it's official, the reality is sinking in. We're never going to see how the designer would have followed up his career-defining Spring 2024 Haute Couture collection. Obviously, he'll be snatched up by some other big-name brand and may even do more haute couture, but it just won't be the same. You can't really present a sequel to something that began under a different brand. So in order to console ourselves, we're taking a look back at Galliano's best Maison Margiela haute couture creations. And, yes, a large chunk comes from his now infamous last runway show.

Nobody does haute couture like Galliano. Take his Spring 2017 offering that featured faces so fantastic, it was almost spooky. The gathered tulle visage set against a crisp white coat backdrop is nothing short of astonishing. Fast-forward to the Fall 2017 season where we were treated to sheer, almost transparent trenches and even an extremely structured and pleated take plus gowns that'll live forever rent-free in our minds.

The Spring 2018 collection had a futuristic spin with iridescent, shimmering dresses, otherworldly jackets and colorful visors. Statement coats are just one of his specialities. See the colorful tulle overlay, baby blue silhouette that was part of his Fall 2018 presentation. Spring 2019 was pretty playful showcasing colorful, Jackson Pollock-esque prints front and center as well as peeking out from semi-sheer layers. Galliano demonstrated how to make patchwork look chic during Maison Margiela's Fall 2019 Haute Couture collection with a dazzling off-the-shoulder gown. He kept the see-through theme going for Spring 2020 by applying the technique to everything from a petal pink jacket to a purple evening gown.

Alright, now to the runway show you've all been waiting for. It really is difficult to pick which Spring 2024 Haute Couture designs we loved most from the collection. It's like picking our favorite child. While we could have conceivably uploaded every single look, we didn't think we'd have the space. Or that it would be fair to their older siblings. From the scene-stealing maxi skirts topped off with cozy sweaters to Galliano's now signature overlayed dresses to the waist-cinching corsets, what's not to like? We feel a special shout-out to Pat McGrath is necessary during this period of reflection. Her glass-skin, porcelain doll-like beauty looks helped elevate the collection to the nth degree.

Scroll down to relive Galliano's best Maison Margiela haute couture creations.