Galliano sacked for ‘anti-Semetic remarks’

JOHN Galliano transcended his humble roots to become one of the most powerful men in fashion.

But the career of the British designer began to unthread last night after fashion house Christian Dior sacked him after allegations he made anti-Semitic remarks.

Footage of the designer emerged prior to his arrest in Paris on suspicion of assault and anti-Semitism.

The fashion house’s chairman Sidney Toledano said: “I unequivocally condemn the statements made by John Galliano which are in total contradiction to the long-standing core values of Christian Dior.”

A spokesman for the designer refused to comment.

Galliano was suspended last week after he allegedly launched an attack on a couple sitting on a cafe terrace following a late-night drinking session in the up-market Marais district.

But further footage, which appeared to show him abusing drinkers in a bar and telling them “I love Hitler”, has since emerged.

At one point in the video, a woman’s voice asks Galliano: “Are you blond, with blue eyes?”

Galliano, slurring his speech, replied: “No, but I love Hitler, and people like you would be dead today. Your mothers, your forefathers, would be ... gassed and ... dead.”

Neither of the people speaking to Galliano were Jewish.

A statement released by Dior said it had “commenced termination proceedings” in the light of the “deeply offensive statements and conduct by John Galliano in a video made public”.

Police said Galliano, who has been Dior’s creative director for 14 years, had drunk up to two bottles of wine when he was arrested. He was later released to return to his home.

In France, making anti-Semitic remarks is punishable by up to six months in prison or with a fine of up to €22,500.

The Gibraltar-born designer, who once defined style as wearing “an evening dress to McDonalds”, grew up in south London the son of a plumber who had come to England looking for work.

He has often mentioned the influence of his Spanish mother who dressed him and his sisters in immaculately pressed and starched clothes whenever they left the family home.

He worked as a dresser at the National Theatre and threw himself into the London club scene — experiences that left their mark on his sense of style.

But it was as a student at the capital’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design that he was first noticed with a degree collection influenced by revolutionary France.

He was a runaway success but became disillusioned with the British fashion scene after a financial backer withdrew support, and moved to Paris in 1990.

Five years later he was appointed head of Dior – the first Englishman to head one of France’s fashion flagships.

The news sent shockwaves through the fashion world but did not seem to affect the supremely confident Galliano.

His long-time creative collaborator Amanda Harlech once described disagreeing with him, saying: “I did only once and I can only compare it to being hit by a massive surfing wave. His indifference was absolute.”

Asked to sum up his approach last year, Galliano said: “Style is wearing an evening dress to McDonalds, wearing heels to play football. It is personality, confidence and seduction.”

That confidence brought him celebrity supporters with actresses including Charlize Theron wearing his designs and reports Kate Moss asked him to design a wedding dress.

It is unclear what the future has in store for Galliano, but it is safe to assume it will not be boring.