After the very public ousting of longtime Dior designer John Galliano, the door has been left wide open for speculation as to who will replace the man of the moustache, the matador outfit, the astronaut suit. And let us not forget the infamous collection based on Paris’ homeless population, which was spoofed to great effect in “Zoolander,” starring Ben Stiller.Galliano was let go Tuesday over anti-Semitic remarks he reportedly made to a couple at a Paris café and a subsequent videotape that surfaced of a seemingly drunk Galliano praising Hitler. Ouch. Not even a killer “Blue Steel” pose (calling all "Zoolander" fans...) could save him from that one.Scandal and theatrics aside, Galliano’s couture chops are among the best in that shrinking and exclusive market, and his ready-to-wear collections for Dior have meant big business for the house and luxury conglomerate LVMH, which owns Dior.The show is still set to go on without him on Sunday, and plans to fill his formidable shoes are no doubt feverishly underway behind the scenes. And we hope that perhaps his replacement will be more effective at convincing Carla Bruni to get rid of her flats and pair her stunning Dior looks with gorgeous footwear, as well. (Carla: We already know that your man is a touch “vertically challenged.”)And while we eagerly wait for news, Fashion Trends Daily has a few nominees we’d like to throw into the mix.Our nominees…
Christian Lacroix
After having his operations shuttered in 2009, Lacroix has been laying low by designing uniforms and well, we’re not exactly sure what else. However, since his untimely retirement, the fashion set has been itching for his brand of opulence and attention to detail, something La Maison Dior also has in spades.
Alessandra FacchinettiOusted from Valentino after just a few seasons, the Italian couturier has been off the fashion radar since she was given the boot. While we thought her collections for Valentino were thoughtful and pushed the brand forward, the company thought otherwise, saying she wasn’t true to the brand. While we’re not sure how far she could push Dior, her play with shapes and theatrics are certainly in line with Dior that Galliano built.
Olivier Theyskens
Always a dark horse, Theyskens’ new job at Theory might be keeping him busy, but you can be sure he’s itching to scratch his couture desires. After creating show-stopping eveningwear for Rochas and Nina Ricci, he’s no stranger creating the one-of-a-kind masterpieces of haute couture. And with a celeb clientele such as Reese Witherspoon, Madonna and Halle Berry, a Theyskens-helmed Dior would be thrust into the flashbulbs even more — and for something more positive.
Giambattista ValliMysteriously off the calendar for Fall 2011, Giambattista Valli is considered by many (Rachel Zoe included) to be the ultimate party dress designer. But one look at his past collections reveals that he’s definitely got a couturier’s touch. From ruffles to riffs on proportion, his looks would get top billing on the red carpet.
Esteban Cortazar
Colombian-born fashion wunderkind Cortazar was the youngest designer to ever run a major fashion house when he was at Ungaro, but he famously quit when he refused to work with Lindsay Lohan. Since the diva debacle of ’09, he’s been a free agent. With his love of color and drama, he’d definitely inject youth and vigor into the designs of Dior.
