Much has been made of how John Galliano – the designer who was dismissed as Creative Director of Dior in 2010 after making anti-semetic remarks – was rehabilitated into the fashion world with his recent stint at Oscar de la Renta. The Parisian was drafted in to work on the latter stages of Oscar’s A/W 2013 New York Fashion Week collection – one that went down to rave reviews. At the time Oscar said that whilst 75% of the collection had been done by the time Galliano got there, he helped tweak it – and thus secured his first foot back in the door of designing.

Oscar de la Renta’s AW 2013 collection

Well now it emerges that – surprise, surprise! – the plan was Anna Wintour’s idea. ‘Well, Anna Wintour actually asked me if I would have John in my studio for three weeks and I said, “Yes of course,”’ Oscar revealed to CBS America’s morning news show this week. ‘I have known John for 30 years. Over 35 years. He’s a very talented man. And who has not done at one point in their life something bad John has had a lot of issues — health issues, abuse — but I like John. He’s a great guy and I was happy that I gave him that second chance and I hope that he will survive all of this because he is an extremely talented man.’

Oscar de la Renta and Anna Wintour

Since then of course Galliano has gone on to do that Vanity Fair interview and speak on TV about the demons of his dark days of alcohol abuse as small steps to getting his career back on track. Early signs are that it’s working. Oscar says he’d be keen to work with Galliano again and just a few weeks ago there were rumours that he was in the running to design theatrical costumes for Stephen Fry’s new London stage production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Seems Anna – and Oscar – are rather good friends to have…