Christian Dior 1996-2002 : The John Galliano Early Years

[Moofins]

I love that Opera collection...my goodness.
I really like this thread. It is the start of a beautiful relationship.

 

[LetThemEatCake]

Those photos of Malgosia being duct-taped by Pat McGrath.

 

[Spike413]

That fetish collection is an interesting one. When I first saw it years ago I was baffled by it, which isn't to say I didn't like it because there are some stunning pieces in it, but it confused me.

Then I listened to that interview with John in the showstudio link I posted in the "Favorites" thread and hearing about it is fascinating.

It's all based on Freud, S&M and Psychosexual disturbance. The first part with the wedding party is all about the dysfunctional family, everyone looks happy, but they aren't cause the mother's sleeping with the chauffer and the father is a sadist with the downstairs maid and it's just all madness. Then it goes into a whole "nightmare" section where John said it was the idea of every childs fear that their toys come to life at night. Then it's full on Sado-Masochism, bondage, discipline, harnesses and perversion.

I have to say that after learning what the collection was all about, I developed a new appreciation for what I once thought was a random collection of clothes that bordered on costumes.

 

[eternitygoddess]

OH man. I wish we had all the pics from those collections. Dior should really put them up on the website.

These shows make almost every other designer (except for a few) pale in comparison.

 

[dior_couture1245]

^^I've emailed Dior.com hundreds of times begging them for a picture and video archive...they've always replied (which I though was nice) thanking me for my interest in the brand and that they'll send my email to the proper department. Of course, that was the end of it and I'd have to start all over again! I had thought, with the anniversary and with the medallion video on the website, that maybe they'd be more inclined to put up a photo/ video archive, but...same response!

It's all based on Freud, S&M and Psychosexual disturbance. The first part with the wedding party is all about the dysfunctional family, everyone looks happy, but they aren't cause the mother's sleeping with the chauffer and the father is a sadist with the downstairs maid and it's just all madness. Then it goes into a whole "nightmare" section where John said it was the idea of every childs fear that their toys come to life at night. Then it's full on Sado-Masochism, bondage, discipline, harnesses and perversion.

The imagination that John has is simply inspiring.

 

[kasper!]

thx for the rare pics everyone

john rocks!!!!!!!

 

[DuTTyRoCK112]

I just had fourth teeth pulled today and now I'm sitting here on my sofa. I don't know if it's the pain killers but I am in tears looking at these photos. I have always admired Dior since I saw the first pair of camouflage sandals with the crooked heel from the fetish era. However, I have never seen these collections in full, and to see such a personal, intelligent and free vision is one of the most inspiring experiences one can have.

I'm crying first and foremost over the beauty of these clothes and the context they are created in, but then of course I am crying for the current corporation-forced suppression of one of the most fantastical minds in the history of fashion.

 

[Salvatore]

I just had fourth teeth pulled today and now I'm sitting here on my sofa. I don't know if it's the pain killers but I am in tears looking at these photos. I have always admired Dior since I saw the first pair of camouflage sandals with the crooked heel from the fetish era. However, I have never seen these collections in full, and to see such a personal, intelligent and free vision is one of the most inspiring experiences one can have.

I'm crying first and foremost over the beauty of these clothes and the context they are created in, but then of course I am crying for the current corporation-forced suppression of one of the most fantastical minds in the history of fashion.

I agree with everything you said! When I look at previous collections (pre-2004) and compare to now, it seems emotion and romanticism (and design) has been trashed just to make money.. I believe that since fashion design and all other creative fields are from the spirit, they should have a spirit of their own and many collections in these days lack any spirit. John Galliano's collections for Dior would be the last collections I would have thought to not evoke passion, emotion, romanticism, or any type of human response. I just don't connect to anything coming down the runway of Dior anymore (or Gucci, or Chanel, or Versace.....).

(and I hope your mouth feels better Dutty )

 

[gius]

thanks so much for all the pictures
I wonder what Galliano's work would have been like for his own collection, not for Dior, like when he was even a student at CSM. i heard his whole grad collection was sold

very nice to see all the backstage photos
and some glimpses into the construction

 

[dior_couture1245]

Dior RTW FW 97

(corbis)

 

[dior_couture1245]

Dior RTW FW 97 cont.

(corbis)

 

[dior_couture1245]

Dior RTW FW 97 cont.

(corbis)

 

[dior_couture1245]

Dior RTW FW 97 cont.

(corbis)

 

[dior_couture1245]

Dior RTW FW 97 cont.

(corbis)

 

[dior_couture1245]

Dior RTW FW 97 cont.

(corbis)

 

[dior_couture1245]

Dior RTW FW 97 cont.

(corbis)

 

[dior_couture1245]

Dior RTW FW 97 last one!

(corbis)

 

[gius]

Colour tastes so different from nowadays, no ?
Seems to be a bit darker and rich

I like the change to lighter shades
like Spring 2007 http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2007CTR/complete/thumb/CDIOR

Also the HC collections are under only one theme
Like this French Revolution one, spring 2006 http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2006CTR/complete/thumb/CDIOR
Not several (almost random) ideas in one collection

Feels like it got a little bit more refined

 

[Mr-Dale]

^Well I think FW 0607 couture was a clutch of ideas albeit all derived from the theme of armor...still a walking lettuce and punk peacock trim seem very much far apart

Anywho...the opera collection is my favorite Dior collection from that age...everything there is just so beautiful, rich, arrogant, stunning and wow. Thanks for all the pictures!

Why was it that the Pocahontas collection was criticised the way it was by the way? Was it because it was too gimmicky, too costumy and too expensive of a production?

 

[dior_couture1245]

Why was it that the Pocahontas collection was criticised the way it was by the way? Was it because it was too gimmicky, too costumy and too expensive of a production?

Exactly!

I think it's great. Granted, there are a few pieces I could do without from that collection, but for the most part, I love it.