It’s a big week in fashion. First, there’s all this red carpet coverage of the Oscars. And, it’s also Fashion Week in Paris, the time of year when designers show off their fall wares. A motley array of designers, editors, and celebrities have descended upon gay Paris, including brit designer, John Galliano, who was arrested this weekend at La Perle, a cafe in the Marais. He reportedly (and on video) made anti-semitic remarks to a fellow patron. Galliano told a Jewish woman, “I love hitler,” and went on to tell her that people “like her” wouldn’t be alive today. Frankly, the diatribe doesn’t make much sense, and is clearly the rambling of a drunken idiot.
Galliano has been placed on suspension as the creative head of Christian Dior, which is set to show in Paris on Friday. He is not expected to attend the event. His eponymous line is also set to show this weekend, and no one is certain as to whether he will be in attendance there, either. While both shows may suffer from the lack of Galliano’s infamous showmanship, it’s clear that his over-the-top behavior has definitely crossed the line of acceptability this time.
The current face of Christian Dior, Natalie Portman, released a statement about the incident. She says, “I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today. In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way. 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.” Portman had planned to wear Dior to the Academy Awards, but switched to a gown by Rodarte at the last minute.