Whatever happened to prompt Dior designer John Galliano‘s arrest Thursday night in Paris for allegedly launching into a racist, anti-Semitic assault against a couple in a cafe, it appears that it was not Galliano’s first such incident. In fact, in a separate outburst at the same cafe, a very drunk Galliano was captured on video clearly telling two women, “I love Hitler. People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers, would all be fucking gassed.” [Sun]
The video may or may not be connected to a second police complaint, filed by a woman, alleging Galliano used anti-Semitic slurs. Meanwhile, Galliano is counter-suing his alleged victims, Géraldine Bloch and Philippe Virgitti, for defamation. The three are scheduled to meet at a Paris police headquarters this afternoon. [WWD]
In her statement to police, Bloch, who is not Jewish, alleged that Galliano screamed at her, “Dirty Jew face, you should be dead,” and told her to “shut your mouth, dirty bitch, I can’t stand your dirty whore voice.” As for Virgitti, who is of Asian descent, Bloch says Galliano yelled, “You fucking Asian bastard, I’ll kill you!” He then returned his attention to Bloch. “You’re so ugly I can’t bear looking at you. You’re wearing cheap boots, cheap thigh boots. You’ve got no hair, your eyebrows are ugly, you’re ugly, you’re nothing but a whore.” And for his finale, Bloch — whom witnesses reported initially mistook Galliano for a homeless person, perhaps angering him — says Galliano yelled, “I am the designer John Galliano!” and struck a pose. [NYDN]
And the Oscar fall-out: “Dior ambassador and best actress nominee Natalie Portman donned a violet Rodarte dress rather than a Galliano creation for her stroll down the red carpet. However, Sharon Stone wore a Dior gown but skipped all press interviews on the red carpet.” [WWD]
A designer who has worked with Galliano in the past says he “can’t imagine he would do this to anyone. I’m an observant Jew, and I know from my own experiences with him that there’s no way he hates Jewish people. He’s incredibly gentle.” [The Cut]
Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, which suspended the designer immediately following his arrest, has still made no public comment on Galliano’s future at Dior, which is scheduled to present its fall collection on March 4. (John Galliano is also scheduled to show his namesake line on March 6.) Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani says, “Christian Dior without John Galliano would be a huge pity.” [Telegraph]
A Dior spokesperson: “It’s out of the company’s hands — and with the police — and Galliano will be suspended until it is resolved. I know there have been rumours about a possible announcement today, but it’s not something I can confirm.” [Vogue UK]