Is Oscar de la Renta Bringing John Galliano On Permanently?

WWD reported that Oscar de la Renta is interested in offering John Galliano a more permanent position at his fashion house. This comes after de la Renta invited Galliano to his design studio for three weeks in January.

Despite receiving major criticism in January, de la Renta is remaining steadfast is giving Galliano a second chance. In a statement issued last week, Oscar de la Renta Inc. chief executive officer Alex Bolen said, "As we have said before, we are deeply impressed with John's talent and would love to find a way to work with him in the future. To date, we have not found that way."

Galliano's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, did not comment and deferred to the de la Renta camp.

De la Renta has been a strong supporter of Galliano along with other major fashion insiders like Anna Wintour. He told Fern Mallis in June at a 92Y Q&A that, "I strongly feel, regardless of what he did, that everyone in life does deserve a second chance, and I am happy that I was able to give John a second chance....It would be a shame if the industry was deprived of such a talent."

In January, while discussing his decision of bringing in Galliano, de la Renta quickly dispelled any rumors of a succession plans. "Am I retiring? Is John going to replace me?" he posed, unsolicited. "Certainly not. I hope to be around for a long time."

At the de la Renta runway show in February, Galliano remained backstage while de la Renta took his final bow. WWD described the collection as "a tale of two designers, it had mystery, suspense, harmony, beauty, optimism - and some truly great clothes."

Over the past few months, Galliano has gone on a damage control campaign including extensive interviews in Vanity Fair and on "Charlie Rose." The interviews came after a media frenzy that was set off after Galiano was photographed en route to de la Renta's studio runway show in February wearing what the newspaper described as Hasidic-like clothing. Galliano's spokeswoman Rosenberg vehemently denied the accusation, telling WWD, "As you well know, John has worn big hats and long coats for many, many years. He indeed has long curly hair, and I can understand people/the N.Y. Post misinterpreting his look at the show. But I can assure you there was no intent to dress in a Hasidic style, to present himself as an homage to the Hasidic community or to insult the Jewish culture or pay tribute to people in 17th-century Poland on John's part - consciously or unconsciously. The last thing on John's mind would be to do anything that would offend the Jewish community."

So what will transpire of the de la Renta and Galliano relationship? In February, de la Renta said of his designer in residence, "I work with people. I don't work by myself. It's so wonderful to have somebody with an eye. He'll show me something and we talk about it." As for where their collaboration was headed, de la Renta would only say, "We have a great love affair."