John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Known for introducing rich theatricality and memorable fashion spectacles to the runway, John Galliano has enjoyed a singular career. The audacious British designer has garnered universal acclaim for genre-breaking collections not only at his eponymous label but also for Christian Dior.
From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless newspaper-print dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably collectible and newsworthy, drawing on history as often as it embodies a fresh and forward-looking sensibility, and over the years the designer has helped shape an ever-broadening new legion of enthusiasts for Parisian couture.
Born in Gibraltar but raised in South London by strict Roman Catholic working-class parents, Galliano attended the all-boys Church of England grammar school, where his flamboyance and interest in art attracted the attention of bullies. Eventually, Galliano ended up at the prestigious design and art school Central Saint Martins College (then called Saint Martin’s School of Art), where fellow British designers Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen also trained.
Galliano flourished at Central Saint Martins. While a student, he worked in the costume department at the National Theatre in London. His graduate collection in 1984, dubbed “Les Incroyables” and named for post–French Revolution fashion lovers, was modeled by close friends of his and earned a standing ovation. The line ended up in the storefront windows of London luxury boutique Brown’s on South Molton Street, and Galliano’s first official collection — after he graduated — debuted at Paris Fashion Week in 1989.
In the early 1990s, Galliano’s relationship with his financial backer, Plein Sud’s Faycal Amor, ended, and by 1994, he was broke and sleeping on the floor of a friend’s apartment. Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and then-Vanity Fair editor André Leon Talley stepped in and introduced the budding designer to Portuguese socialite and fashion patron São Schlumberger and others.
At Schlumberger’s Hôtel Particulier, Galliano’s shows became the stuff of fashion legend. His collection, a blend of Japanese modernist style as well as nostalgia for Art Deco and 1940s’ tailoring, earned raves in glossy magazines and garnered the attention of Princess Diana, Madonna and other fashion luminaries.
Once the Galliano name was well known among the world’s most stylish set, the chairperson of LVMH, Bernard Arnault, appointed Galliano head designer of French fashion house Givenchy. One year later, in 1996, LVMH moved him to the design team at Dior. In just eight weeks, Galliano produced 50 looks for Dior Haute Couture’s brilliant Spring/Summer 1997 Maasai collection and would ultimately design a mind-boggling eight collections a year for the storied French fashion house until 2011. Today, Galliano is the creative director of Maison Margiela.
Shop vintage and contemporary John Galliano for Christian Dior evening dresses and gowns, shoes, handbags and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
1990s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
1990s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
1990s French Art Nouveau John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
1990s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Enamel, Gilt Metal
Early 2000s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Enamel, Gilt Metal
Early 2000s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
1990s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Silver
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
1990s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Gold
1990s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Crystal
Early 2000s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
20th Century American Retro John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Coral
2010s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Artisan John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
White Diamond, Peridot, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s German Edwardian Vintage John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Citrine, 14k Gold
Early 2000s British Art Deco John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl
2010s Italian Modern John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Garnet, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Silver Plate, Enamel
1990s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s European John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Early 2000s French John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Silver Plate
1990s John Galliano for Christian Dior Necklaces
Silver