John Galliano will create Kate Moss's bridal gown

After weeks of speculation we have finally learned who will design the wedding dress the world has been waiting for – no, not that one – with reports that John Galliano will create Kate Moss's bridal gown.

This week, Vivienne Westwood told journalists that Moss would design her own dress. "She knows about clothes," the British designer said. "She knows what she is doing and she doesn't need my help."

But Moss reportedly revealed at a Topshop dinner this week that Galliano would be petits mains behind her big day in a perfect union between maestro and muse – the Christian Dior designer has been friends with Moss since early in her career.

Moss, 37, is due to marry her rockstar boyfriend Jamie Hince on 2 July. Yesterday's reports come as rumours abound about the designer of the other wedding gown of the season, that of Kate Middleton, who is playing her cards rather closer to her chest.

Galliano, 50, is a Gibraltan-born British fashion designer who grew up in south London before studying fashion design at Central Saint Martin's. His graduate collection, which was called "Les Incroyables" and inspired by the French Revolution helped to launch him into the rarefied world of French couture.

Working as creative director of Christian Dior since 1996, Galliano has become known for flamboyant couture pieces – from enormous origami ballgowns to a collection inspired by the work of Klimt. He also designs ready-to-wear collections for Dior and has his own ready-to-wear label.

Galliano's signatures include bias cut, Twenties-style dresses in silk and lace, often bordered with fringing and beading. "I love women," he has said. "I love their bodies. I'm an accomplice to helping women get what they want."

Moss has worn his pieces before, and is a fan of his art deco-informed aesthetic. Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman have worn his dresses on the red carpet, while couture clients have included the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Galliano famously helped Moss at a Vogue gala dinner in 2007 when her floor-length vintage gown ripped along the back, after Courtney Love stepped on its train; Galliano was on hand to ingeniously roll, tuck and tie the tattered skirt into a chic mini-dress.

Rumours continue as to the provenance of the other Kate's dress: designers in the running are said to include Bruce Oldfield and Daniella Helayel, whose label, Issa, Middleton wore for the announcement of her engagement.

Westwood is one designer who has ruled herself out. "I would have loved to design Kate Middleton's [dress]," she said, "but I have to wait until she sort of catches up a bit somewhere with style."