The return of John Galliano​:​ the 'enfant terrible'

Four years after a public, drunken, anti semitic outburst nearly ended his fashion career, infamous fashion designer John Galliano is set to make his much anticipated comeback to the industry on Monday, during the final day of London Collections: Men, as the new creative head for Maison Martin Margiela.

The 'enfant terrible' will be bowing a "small collection" of his debut haute couture "Artisanal" range for MMM in a newly built office building close to Victoria station at 4:30 pm, symbolic for the designer's metamorphosis. "It is a very small, intimate space," said a spokeswoman for the fashion house on Sunday to DPA.

Although Galliano's comeback show is not part of the official program for London Collections: Men as it will feature women's wear rather than men's wear, a number of high-profile individuals are believed to be attending the show over presentations from Savile Row's Chester Barrie, Stockholm's Tiger of Sweden catwalk show and C.P Company's presentation which overlap with Maison Martin Margiela's event.

According to sources at WWD, Alber Elbaz, artistic director at Lanvin, Christopher Bailey, head at Burberry and friend/milliner Stephen Jones are some of the top designers believed to be attending the Parisian-based fashion house's show in central London. Other prominent individuals said to be attending the show including top-models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, editor at American Vogue Anna Wintour and film maker Pedro Almodovar.

Whether the show will mark the triumph return of Galliano - or not - remains to be seen, with many industry insiders thrown off by his decision to stage his return in London, rather than Paris after a 25 year absence from showing in the UK's capital city. “To me, the idea of putting on the Artisanal show in Galliano’s home town of London and making sure it is full of John Galliano supporters is chickening out,” said fashion historian Tony Glenville of the London College of Fashion to the Guardian.

I am more excited re Galliano's return to fashion than going back to work! #JohnGalliano x @Margiela #MargielaMonday pic.twitter.com/P8W1274XTL

— Rusty Beukes (@RustyBeukes) January 12, 2015

“All of his friends will be cheering him on in London. If you put it back where it should be, in Paris, it would be a more confident statement.” Galliano's decision to stage his comeback in London over Paris resulted in Maison Martin Margiela being dropped from the city's exclusive haute couture calendar for January, despite the show being a one-off event.

Despite the subtle snub from Paris's haute couture calendar, the start of 54 year old designer Galliano third act will undoubtedly have the majority of the industry on the edge of seat later today, with #MargielaMonday and #JohnGalliano trending on Twitter amidst posts claiming "The King is Back!"

Today is THE day... #MargielaMonday #JohnGalliano #theKingIsBack

— Darkene F. DiCembre (@DarkeneFabiana) January 12, 2015

Images: John Galliano and Autumn/Winter 2011-2012 ready-to-wear collection 'Fashion Munster'