John Galliano Latest

 

 John Galliano has been sacked from his eponymous label, following a decision made by the company's board. The fashion house will hand the designer's responsibilities to its in-house creative team. Christian Dior SA currently owns 91 per cent of John Galliano, although there are as yet no plans to sell the brand - according to reports by WWD.

John Galliano was photographed at LAX Airport yesterday after just over a month in rehab. The designer was asked: "Would you have done anything differently if you were on the Christian Dior board?" by one reporter, before being called a racist by another. The former Dior helmer made no comment as he walked through the airport in dark glasses and a hat.

 The man at the centre of the trial against John Galliano has spoken out in the designer's defence.

"For me it was a simple bar dispute," Philipe Virgitti - who along with his girlfriend Geraldine Bloch accused Galliano of using racist insults towards them - said. "We were having a beer when he sat beside us. He got aggressive, turned to my friend and said 'Your voice is annoying me, you're speaking too loudly'."

Asked if he had used anti-Semitic language, Virgitti answered, "Yes, although I'm not convinced now that he really meant them. I don't think he is racist or anti-Semitic. I just think he's very ill."

"John Galliano does not deserve this," Virgitti added, the Timesreports. "I would like Mr Galliano to benefit from this unhappy story by drinking a little less and getting back to making the dresses and shows that he did so well."

Natalie Portman has condemned John Galliano, following the release of a video of him using anti-Semitic language. Portman, who is the face of Christian Dior's Miss Dior Cherie fragrance, is Jewish.

"I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano'scomments that surfaced today," the Oscar winner said in a statement released last night. "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."

 John Galliano has been arrested for an alleged assault, as well as alleged anti-Semitic remarks, reports on international news agency AFP suggest today - but all may not be as it seems. We spoke to someone this morning who was in the cafe at the time of the altercation - and her story suggests Galliano may not have been at fault.

"We had a table at La Perle and John Galliano sat next to us," our eyewitness told us. "He spoke to a couple at a nearby table to say 'Cheers' and they insulted him. An argument started and the police came, so Galliano's bodyguard suggested that they should go to the police station to sort it out. He wasn't 'busted' aggressively by police, it was very quiet and peaceful. I definitely didn't hear him say anything anti-Semitic, or against any religion, it was all very calm."

Sources: http://www.vogue.co.uk