Professor John Galliano? We hear the former Christian Dior head designer hopes to enter academia with a teaching stint at a top fashion college.
Sources tell us he hopes to take a mentoring role where he’d work one on one with students and perhaps guest-lecture on occasion.
Galliano, who is currently doing a short, informal residency at Oscar de la Renta’s studio, is considering teaching at a number of schools across the world, possibly even in London.
Our source said: “John is taking things slowly. He would like to do some teaching at a fashion school, more one on one with students rather than lecturing to a large group. He hopes to finalize a deal with a school soon. It may not even be in the US.”
We had heard that Galliano would be welcome at New York’s Parsons The New School for Design, but no agreement has been made. Parsons declined to comment.
Galliano, who also produced an eponymous clothing line, was fired from Dior in 2011 after he made anti-Semitic comments to a couple at a Paris bar. He’s been basically out of work ever since.
He apologized for his tirade, went to rehab in Arizona and has since been trying to re-emerge in the fashion business. Dior hired designer Raf Simons in April to take over for him.
Galliano last summer designed Kate Moss’ wedding dress for her marriage to Jamie Hince, a move that Galliano described to Vogue as “creative rehab.”
Since then, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour has tried to help Galliano. It is she who reportedly set up the meeting between him and de la Renta, which resulted in the temporary residence in de la Renta’s studio.
Galliano’s appearance there sparked speculation that he might take over for 80-year-old de la Renta. Amid speculation that the two will take a bow together after the legend’s New York Fashion Week show tomorrow, de la Renta’s camp has insisted Galliano’s stint is not part of a succession plan. Galliano’s rep didn’t comment.