It’s not to say it wasn’t a memorable Paris fashion week. Au contraire, we saw Miranda Kerr make a surprise post-baby comeback after just two months, LED grills at Gareth Pugh, and Lady Gaga walk (and buy) Nicola Formichetti’s debut collection for Mugler. But it’s pretty hard to care about spectacle when you have full-blown tragedy on your mind. Friends mourned John Galliano’s career, and fans his legacy. How everyone felt about his downfall was just about the only statement the press tried to get. So today, I’d like to ask how you feel, dear reader.
You probably know the story by now, but just amuse me. A week ago, Galliano was arrested for verbally accosting a couple with anti-Semitic slurs.
According to his alleged victim’s official statement, Galliano sat at a table next to her, ordered himself a mojito and started calling her a b*tch.
Another eyewitness said Galliano was simply trying to have a chat until the man told Galliano, “You’re ugly, you’re disgusting, move away from here,” to which Galliano said to the woman, “You’re ugly, and your bag is ugly too.” And then things got a little out of hand.
Whatever the story, Christian Dior swiftly suspended Galliano, then fired him when the anti-Semitic tirade below surfaced on the interwebs. He will now go on trial over the accusations, facing a sentencing of up to six months in jail and fines up to $31,000.
Natalie Portman was one of the first to step forward. Unfortunately for Galliano, with her recent Oscar win came an abundance of significance. That, and the fact that she’s the current face for Galliano’s Miss Dior Cherie fragrance.
She said, “I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today. I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful.”
My style hero Daphne Guinness too was displeased; taking to her Twitter to state that “Anyone with any humanity should condemn these repulsive remarks”.
German designer Karl Lagerfeld was furious with Galliano for granting the world a “horrible image for fashion”, adding that, “We are in a business world where, especially today, with the internet, one has to be more careful than ever, especially if you are a publicly known person. You cannot go in the street and be drunk. “
Several fellow designers including Giorgio Armani, Patricia Field, Roberto Cavalli, Donatella Versace, Fatima Lopes and Diane von Furstenburg acknowledged the light of the situation, but thought Galliano provoked or ignorant.
While others like Jessica Stam took to their Twitter to make some pretty irrelevant comments. “I love the Jews and what he said is awful, but also sad to watch him leave Dior.” – @Jess_Stam
Kate Moss on the other hand, urged Galliano to check into rehab.
The question now is, will rehab cure his anti-Semitism? More importantly, is Galliano still designing Moss’ wedding gown?
I personally think that it’s a tragic situation. I can’t imagine a Dior that isn’t backed up by Galliano. Anti-Semitics aside, he’s a true visionary; one of the few greats that continue to incorporate art and theatrics to a strong backbone of fashion technique. And I can’t imagine a Dior show that isn’t wrapped up with Galliano’s signature bow.
What do you think of Galliano’s predicament? Do you want him to make a comeback? Who do you think should replace him at Dior? Just for fun, let’s discuss Galliano’s downfall!
[Photo Credits: dbriefed, lovesceneonline, lelaluxe, theinquisitr, thedollsfactory, jewishjournal, celebfwdmail, dailymail, sugarscape, fashionrules]
