English fashion designer John Galliano was BOTD in 1960. Born Juan Carlos Antonio Galliano-Guillén in Gibraltar, he was raised in London, and studied fashion design at Central Saint Martins. His graduation show Les Incroyables, a collection of designs inspired by French Revolutionary fashion, caused a sensation and was purchased for resale by fashion boutique Browns. Galliano started his own label, but went bankrupt in 1988, moving to Paris. Backed by Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, he secured financial backing to relaunch his label, ingratiating himself with Parisian high society. In 1995, he became chief designer for Givenchy, producing sumptuous ball gowns, bowed dresses and belted suits, though was criticised for his use of fur. He moved to the house of Dior in 1996, receiving acclaim for his haute couture and ready-to-wear collections, attracting a younger clientele and dressing celebrities including Nicole Kidman and Natalie Portman. In 2011, he was suspended from Dior after video footage was released showing him drunkenly insulting a group of women with racist and anti-Semitic slurs. After a highly-publicised trial, he was found guilty of making anti-Semitic remarks and given a suspended sentence. Galliano made a public apology, revealing his problems with drug addiction and grief over the death of his long-term business partner Steven Robinson. In 2013, the Anti-Defamation League commended his attempts to atone for his behaviour, granting him a degree of absolution. After a brief stint working for Oscar de la Renta, he became creative director of fashion house Maison Margiela, a deal brokered by Wintour, revitalising the brand’s fortunes, announcing his departure in 2024. Galliano was in relationships with fellow designers John Flett and Jasper Conran. He lives in Paris with his long-term partner Alexis Roche.