Tags
Anna Wintour, Antisemitism, British Fashion Awards, British Fashion Designer, Christian Dior, Fashion design, fashion icon, John Galliano, Lee Alexander McQueen, Paris Fashion Week, trial
The verdict is in for the British Fashion Designer
As of Thursday morning, French courts have convicted designer John Galliano for anti-semitic slurs and hit him with a suspended fine.
In addition to the suspended fines, Galliano was ordered to pay a symbolic euro in dmages to each of his victims and to five anti-racism groups who were also complainants. He will also pay legal costs for the plaintiffs.
Galliano was not in court to hear the verdict, stating that he was afraid of reprisals and also being hounded by the press.
The 50-year-old British fashion designer was charged with “public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity” stemming from two separate incidents at a Parisian cafe, in which he spouted off comments
about Jews as well as Asians to fellow cafe-goers.
Around the time of the incident, a British daily newspaper dug up a video in which Galliano also goes on an anti-semetic diatribe, saying
“I love Hitler”.
Mr Galliano at a one-day trial in Paris in June apologised; blaming drug and alcohol addictions for his behaviour and outbursts.
Galliano stated that he has undertaken treatment for his addictions.
Galliano took over the creative helm of Dior in 1996 and won British Fashion Designer of the Year on four occasions.
Almost immediately after the scandal broke, Galliano was fired from his post as creative director of Christian Dior.
The flamboyantly-dressed, moustached artist had been focusing on preparing the autumn-winter collections at Christian Dior and his own label for the ready-to-wear shows at Paris Fashion Week, which started on 1 March.
Born Juan Carlos in Gibraltar, he was raised in Streatham and Dulwich, south London,
He attended London’s Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design.
His 1984 graduation show called “Les Incroyables” was inspired by the 1789 French revolution.
The entire collection was said to have been bought by a London boutique, and Diana Ross bought a coat from its window.
After some financially difficult years in London, he moved to Paris in 1993 where Vogue editor Anna Wintour, reportedly took him under her wing, finding him a backer, a venue and supermodels to wear his designs.
Galliano’s often spectacular shows are inspired by history and his own travels around the world – everything from ancient Egypt to Masai tribesmen and 18th century equestrians. Known for his chameleon style, he is said to thrill fashion insiders at the end of each runway show by taking to the catwalk, always in an outrageous costume.
The Design Museum’s biography describes him as a great romantic
but says “behind his gentle aesthetic, John Galliano is a powerhouse,
a man whose ambition to go down in history as one of fashion’s
greats is awesome, even intimidating”.
Let’s hope that this inspirational fashion icon can put the past behind him and continue to do what he does best. God forbid that he does not disappear into the black hole of drugs, depression and anxiety like so many talented and unique artists.
http://www.5min.com/Video/John-Galliano-Fashion-Designer-Profile-284063175
Remember:
Lee Alexander McQueen, CBE (17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010)
British Fashion Designer Alexander McQueen, who had been diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder took an overdose prior to hanging himself.
Acknowledgements:
The Huffington Post Ellie
Krupnick
BBC News
Photos: Getty