John Galliano will not be taking a permanent role with Oscar de la Renta after failing to reach an agreement with the New York-based fashion house, multiple sources exclusively confirmed to Page Six.
Although Galliano’s much-heralded collection with de la Renta in February 2013 was declared a huge success, the former Christian Dior designer will not be making a comeback at de la Renta’s studio.
A source told us of Galliano’s much-rumored discussions to take a permanent role: “It is categorically not happening. Oscar de la Renta is still looking for a new creative director.”
Another source tells us that Galliano and de la Renta executives failed to come to terms over money. The source said, “The team at Oscar were not willing to put up the money to pay for the design team John needed, such as the cutters and other specialist support staff for his atelier. Money was the biggest factor which held up the negotiations, and they couldn’t reach an agreement, although John and Oscar remain very good friends. John is grateful that Oscar gave him a second chance.”
Galliano was unceremoniously fired by Dior in 2011 after making anti-Semitic remarks in a Paris cafe, and made his fashion return with a temporary residency at de la Renta’s studio in New York in early 2013.
“John and I have known each other for many years, and I am a great admirer of his talent,” de la Renta said then. “He has worked long and hard on his recovery, and I am happy to give him the opportunity to re-immerse himself in the world of fashion and reacclimate in an environment where he has been so creative.”
Galliano, who has been focused on recovering from the addictions that prompted his outburst, is concentrating his talents in London. He has also been mentoring fashion students at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, and is in talks about a number of other fashion projects.
A rep for Galliano declined to comment. Oscar’s team could not be reached.