Dior sacks Galliano following antisemitic outburst
Christian Dior stated the creative director had been sacked for ‘odious behaviour’ following an investigation and public release of a video yesterday.
Galliano, who reinvented the Miss Dior Cherie fragrance in 2005, is alleged to have aimed antisemitic insults at two women in La Perle bar, situated in the Marais area of Paris.
Police questioning
Following the allegations made from a couple over remarks made by Galliano, that resulted in him being questioned by police on 24 February, Christian Dior immediately suspended its relationship with him, pending the outcome of the police investigation.
Galliano denied making the remarks, and police also said they had no third-party witnesses, however a video surfaced yesterday, of Galliano appearing in an inebriated state, making remarks towards two more female diners.
With the public release of the video, Dior announced it had commenced termination proceedings against Galliano.
Sidney Toledano, Christian Dior Couture CEO, said: "We unequivocally condemn the statements made by John Galliano which are in total contradiction to the longstanding core values of Christian Dior."
Fragrance face condemns remarks
US actress Natalie Portman, who is the face of the Miss Dior Cherie Eau de Parfum, and is also Jewish, publically released a statement yesterday condemning Galliano.
“I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the comments of John Galliano released in this video today. In light of this video and being proud to be Jewish, I do not want to be associated with Mr. Galliano in any manner whatsoever,” she said.
“But I hope at the very least that these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combatting these still existing predjudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful,” the Oscar-winning actress added.
According to reports in the UK daily newspaper The Guardian, Galliano’s lawyer, Stéphane Zerbib, has said the designer is counter-suing the couple who made an initial complaint for defamation.
Another woman has also come forward and alleged that she was insulted by Galliano in the same bar.
