John Galliano, the flamboyant fashion designer who fell from grace after an anti-Semitic outburst in Paris, has said making supermodel Kate Moss’ wedding gown this summer was his “creative rehab”.
Galliano, long a favourite of arguably the most sought-after model in the world, has been an outcast since a rant in a Paris bar led to him being sacked in February as Christian Dior’s creative director and put on trial.
He also was dismissed from his eponymous label, majority owned by Dior.
In the upcoming September issue of Vogue US, Galliano says that dressing Moss reawakened his creative powers, following treatment for addiction to drink, valiumand sleeping pills in the US andSwitzerland.
“She dared me to be JohnGalliano again,” the Gibraltar-born and London-bred designer was quoted as saying in his first post-trial comments. “I couldn’t pick up a pencil. It’s been my creative rehab.”
Moss said she commissioned her old friend to create the dress for her July wedding to rocker Jamie Hince in England because his outfits made her happy.
“I’ve lived in his dresses for years, and they just make me feel so comfortable,” she said in Vogue’s main cover story on what amounted to a fashionista’s royal wedding.
The white dress combined an understated classic look with a slightly translucent skirt.
“When I put the dress on, I’m really happy. I forget everything,” Moss said.
According to Vogue, Galliano’s rehabilitation extended beyond the dress. He even gave Moss her final dose of encouragement before she exchanged vows.
She wanted “a few words, a story to inspire her – she loves a bitof direction!” Galliano told themagazine.
“I told her, ‘You have a secret: you are the last of the English roses – and when he lifts your veil he’s going to see your wanton past!”
At the party, Moss’ father Peter thanked Galliano for the “beautiful dress” and every guest stood to applaud, Vogue’s reporter said. “John’s eyes well up,” the blow-by-blow report noted.
Widely regarded as one of the finest fashion designers of his generation, Galliano faces a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a fine of €22,500 if convicted of making anti-Semitic insults, which are illegal in France. Sentencing is on September 8.