Dior sacks Galliano over ‘anti-Semitic’ comments
French fashion house Dior has sacked its British creative director, John Galliano, after he allegedly made anti-Semitic remarks in a restaurant in Paris last week.
John Galliano has been sacked by French fashion house Dior for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks in a restaurant in the Marais district of Paris several days ago.
A film clip purporting to show Galliano abusing people in the La Perle restaurant has appeared on the internet. In the video, Galliano tells a group at a neighbouring table: “I love Hitler. People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers, would be **** gassed.”
Christian Dior Chief Executive Sidney Toledano said in a statement: “I very firmly condemn what was said by John Galliano, which totally contradicts the values which have always been defended by Christian Dior.”
The announcement comes three days before Galliano was due to present the Dior spring collection at Paris fashion week. Galliano’s own John Galliano fashion label launches its spring collection on 6 March.
“I very firmly condemn what was said by John Galliano, which totally contradicts the values which have always been defended by Christian Dior.” Sidney Toledana, Christian Dior CEO
The Israeli-born American actress Natalie Portman, who on Sunday won best actress at the Oscars, announced earlier today that she was “deeply shocked and disgusted” by Galliano’s alleged comments. Ms Portman is also the face of Christian Dior’s Miss Dior Cherie fragrance.
Last week supermodel Kate Moss announced that Galliano was to design the dress for her wedding to rock singer Jamie Hince. Galliano has also designed dresses for Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron.
Galliano, who is 50 and who grew up in south east London, was appointed creative director at Christian Dior, the most prestigious of the French fashion houses, in 1996. In 1995 he was appointed creative director of Givenchy. British designer Alexander McQueen, who committed suicide in February 2010, succeeded Galliano at Givenchy.
Dior and Givenchy are both owned by LVHM, the luxury goods conglomerate whose chief executive is Bernard Arnault. Both Arnault and Galliano have been awarded the French Legion d’Honneur.