Designer John Galliano made his highly-anticipated comeback in London Monday, after almost four years of being in exile from the fashion world, presenting a haute couture collection for Maison Mergiela to critical acclaim.
The 54-year-old, known for his flamboyant and theatrical style, was sacked from Dior in 2011 after he was filmed making a drunken anti-Semitic rant in a Paris bar.
In an unprecedented move, Galliano, a member of the apex Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, decided not to show his comeback collection in Paris but in the British capital, as part of the London Collections seasonal showcase. In retaliation, the chamber has dropped Maison Mergiela from its official couture week at the end of the month.
Suzy Menkes of Vogue praised the new collection’s “exquisite attention to detail” and “sweet elegance.”
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How Donald Trump Won
- The Best Inventions of 2024
- Why Sleep Is the Key to Living Longer
- Robert Zemeckis Just Wants to Move You
- How to Break 8 Toxic Communication Habits
- Nicola Coughlan Bet on Herself—And Won
- Why Vinegar Is So Good for You
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
Write to Helen Regan at helen.regan@timeasia.com