Fashion has several names that overshadow all others. Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Versace, and Dior. Since 1947, Dior has been a huge name among even the most distinguished high fashion designers. And since 1996, when John Galliano became Dior's Head Designer, Dior has become one of the most influential, controversial, and innovative brand names in the industry.
Galliano, although born in Gibraltar, spent most of his childhood in England. Even as a young child, he faced incredible obstacles blocking his way to success. He was bullied at his all boys school, as most of the young students there were antagonized by his creative sensibilities. In 1984 Dior graduated from Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design and created his own label, and despite of his short-term success, he faced bankruptcy in 1990. After the failure of his line, he moved to Paris for a fresh start. His career had a rebirth in the "City of Lights", and in 1995 Bernard Arnault appointed him designer of Givenchy.
He was the first British designer to head a French haute couture house. His first couture show as head designer of Givenchy received praise, and just like that Galliano was the rising star of the high-fashion world. A year later, Arnault moved Galliano to another French brand, Christian Dior. Controversy sparked at his appointment, as he was the first English designer to head the primarily French brand.
However, Galliano proved his opposition wrong taking the fashion world by storm, transforming Dior with his flair for the theatric, which trickled both into his runway shows and his advertising campaigns. Many even say Will Ferrill's exuberant character in the cult movie "Zoolander" was inspired by Dior. Celebrities fell in love with his fantastical fashion, however his name in the fashion world would soon be trampled.
On February 25th, 2011 Dior announced that they had suspended Galliano after he was arrested for an alleged anti-Semitic rant in a Parisian bar. The Sun soon released a video of Galliano shouting violently at a group of Italian women, shouting, "I love Hitler... People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers would all be f*****g gassed."
Natalie Portman, the face of Dior's popular "Miss Dior Cherie" fragrance stated once she had heard of the incident, "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."
And Portman is not alone in her disgust. Many other influential figures in the fashion world have expressed their disdain, such as Karl Lagerfeld, who stated, "I'm furious that it could happen, because the question is no longer even whether he said it. The image has gone around the world. It's a horrible image for fashion, because they think that every designer and everything in fashion is like this."
However, there are some still defending Galliano. Stylist and costume designer Patricia Field commented "It's theater. It's farce. But people in fashion don't recognize the farce in it. All of a sudden they don't know him. But it's OK when Mel Brook's The Producers singing 'Springtime for Hitler.'"
On March 1st Dior announced that it had dismissed Galliano, and the brand's chief executive stated, "I very firmly condemn what was said by John Galliano." The executive further commented that, "The House of Dior confirms, with great firmness, its policy of zero tolerance for any anti-Semitic or racist comments."
Galliano denied the claims made against him, but apologized "unreservedly" for his behavior. He is believed to have left Paris, and France altogether. He has reportedly checked into a rehab clinic in Arizona, pending his court trial. Prosecutors charged the famous designer with making racist and anti-Semitic remarks, and could face as much as six months in prison a a fine of $31,500.
One thing the incident did make clear, even the most influential of people are not infallible. The fashion world has lost an icon, and thousands of fashion-influenced youths have lost a mentor.
Natalie Portman, the face of Dior's popular "Miss Dior Cherie" fragrance stated once she had heard of the incident, "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."
And Portman is not alone in her disgust. Many other influential figures in the fashion world have expressed their disdain, such as Karl Lagerfeld, who stated, "I'm furious that it could happen, because the question is no longer even whether he said it. The image has gone around the world. It's a horrible image for fashion, because they think that every designer and everything in fashion is like this."
However, there are some still defending Galliano. Stylist and costume designer Patricia Field commented "It's theater. It's farce. But people in fashion don't recognize the farce in it. All of a sudden they don't know him. But it's OK when Mel Brook's The Producers singing 'Springtime for Hitler.'"
On March 1st Dior announced that it had dismissed Galliano, and the brand's chief executive stated, "I very firmly condemn what was said by John Galliano." The executive further commented that, "The House of Dior confirms, with great firmness, its policy of zero tolerance for any anti-Semitic or racist comments."
Galliano denied the claims made against him, but apologized "unreservedly" for his behavior. He is believed to have left Paris, and France altogether. He has reportedly checked into a rehab clinic in Arizona, pending his court trial. Prosecutors charged the famous designer with making racist and anti-Semitic remarks, and could face as much as six months in prison a a fine of $31,500.
One thing the incident did make clear, even the most influential of people are not infallible. The fashion world has lost an icon, and thousands of fashion-influenced youths have lost a mentor.
