Is this the end of John Galliano?
March 4th 2011 01:47
The timing could not have been worse for British fashion designer John Galliano. Just days before his winter collections for Dior and his own eponymous label were due to be shown at Paris Fashion Week came the emergence of that now-infamous videotape, where the designer is clearly seen making drunken, anti-Semitic comments while at a bar in Paris. The repercussions were quick to follow: Dior has fired him after nearly fifteen years as the fashion house's head designer, he's been shuffled off to rehab to treat his alcohol-related problems, and will reportedly face a criminal court later this year for "public insults made against individuals based on their origin or their religious affiliation."
Galliano has since released a statement apologising for his comments, saying that he 'only has himself to blame' and that he has 'fought his entire life against prejudice, intolerance and discrimination, having been subjected to it himself' as a homosexual man.
But despite his apparent remorse, fashion lovers have turned away from him in droves, with many declaring his inebriated rant to be evidence of nothing more than base anti-Semitism. Hollywood superstar Natalie Portman - who also happens to be the current face of the Miss Dior Cherie perfume - told the media that she was "deeply shocked and disgusted" by the video, and, as a woman who is proud to be Jewish, "will not be associated with Mr Galliano in any way." Whether she continues on with her Dior contract remains to be seen.
Despite the controversy surrounding its former head designer, the Dior Autumn/Winter 2011 collection is still being shown in Paris later today, but unsurprisingly, numbers are expected to be down due to boycotts. Galliano's own show, which was to be held on Sunday, has reportedly been cancelled, with editors and buyers being invited to view the collection privately instead.
Given the notorious fickleness of the fashion industry, we can only speculate as to what the future has in store for Mr Galliano. On the one hand, his reputation as one of the most influential fashion designers in the world has come from years of creating unique, visionary designs unlike any other. He's won a number of prestigious fashion awards, attracted a strong following from the media and fashion insiders alike, and has fifteen years of designing for Christian Dior under his belt - certainly no mean feat!
But on the other hand, he's managed to lose the respect of countless colleagues, high profile figures, and potential customers as the result of his anti-Semitic comments - all in a matter of days. If found guilty of committing hate crimes when he faces court later this year, John Galliano could spend up to six months in prison and be fined 22,500 euros.
Ultimately, we can only wait and see if this once-illustrious fashion designer can recover his reputation and return to the ranks of fashion's elite, or whether his 30-second burst of hateful commentary is enough to end his career once and for all.
'I love Hitler'... John Galliano's racist comments made international headlines earlier this week.
Galliano has since released a statement apologising for his comments, saying that he 'only has himself to blame' and that he has 'fought his entire life against prejudice, intolerance and discrimination, having been subjected to it himself' as a homosexual man.
But despite his apparent remorse, fashion lovers have turned away from him in droves, with many declaring his inebriated rant to be evidence of nothing more than base anti-Semitism. Hollywood superstar Natalie Portman - who also happens to be the current face of the Miss Dior Cherie perfume - told the media that she was "deeply shocked and disgusted" by the video, and, as a woman who is proud to be Jewish, "will not be associated with Mr Galliano in any way." Whether she continues on with her Dior contract remains to be seen.
'These still-existing prejudices are the opposite of all that is beautiful' - Natalie Portman
Despite the controversy surrounding its former head designer, the Dior Autumn/Winter 2011 collection is still being shown in Paris later today, but unsurprisingly, numbers are expected to be down due to boycotts. Galliano's own show, which was to be held on Sunday, has reportedly been cancelled, with editors and buyers being invited to view the collection privately instead.
Galliano's better days... his Spring/Summer 2009 haute couture collection for Christian Dior (click to enlarge)
Galliano's Spring/Summer 2010 haute couture collection for Dior
Galliano's Autumn/Winter 2010 haute couture collection for Dior
John Galliano Spring/Summer 2011 ready to wear collection
Given the notorious fickleness of the fashion industry, we can only speculate as to what the future has in store for Mr Galliano. On the one hand, his reputation as one of the most influential fashion designers in the world has come from years of creating unique, visionary designs unlike any other. He's won a number of prestigious fashion awards, attracted a strong following from the media and fashion insiders alike, and has fifteen years of designing for Christian Dior under his belt - certainly no mean feat!
But on the other hand, he's managed to lose the respect of countless colleagues, high profile figures, and potential customers as the result of his anti-Semitic comments - all in a matter of days. If found guilty of committing hate crimes when he faces court later this year, John Galliano could spend up to six months in prison and be fined 22,500 euros.
Ultimately, we can only wait and see if this once-illustrious fashion designer can recover his reputation and return to the ranks of fashion's elite, or whether his 30-second burst of hateful commentary is enough to end his career once and for all.
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