Fashion VIPs Respond To John Galliano’s Racist Rant
by Julia Rubin | 9:53 am, March 2nd, 2011
John Galliano is officially out at Dior , but we have a feeling the fashion world’s response to the scandal has only just begun. We’ve compiled the responses thus far — keep in mind that some occurred before the damning video was released, and others occurred after. It should also be noted that Natalie Portman ‘s response (which is not technically a response from the fashion world) is by far the strongest against the designer.
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1. Roberto Cavalli
Roberto Cavalli : "John Galliano? I don't believe it because I know John since many years. He's such a wonderful person. I can't believe that he makes some racist toward somebody, because he's so international...I think that somebody wants to try to be bad with him. I think la Maison Dior should make to him a big red carpet because he helped Maison Dior to be what it is today. I don't want to judge anybody, but I love John. John, I am with you."
2. Patricia Field
Patricia Field to WWD : “People in fashion all they do is go and see John Galliano theater every season. That’s what he gives them. To me, this was the same except it wasn’t in a theater or in a movie. John lives in theater. It’s theater. It’s farce. But people in fashion don’t recognize the farce in it. All of a sudden they don’t know him. But it’s okay when it’s Mel Brooks’s The Producers singing 'Springtime for Hitler.' They don’t even see the farce in it. Fashion people who know him have not come forward. They know his theater. Believe me — my name is Field — my stepfather was Jewish."
On her blog : "Beauty, intelligence and energy would describe John as I know him. Where in this trilogy could one find hate? I ask you! My second question is…What exactly did he say? And the third is…What is really going on here??”
3. Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani : "I am very, very sorry for him. It's obviously a difficult time for him. I'm also very sorry that they even videotaped him without him knowing."
4. Stefano Gabbana
Stefano Gabbana : "I'm so sorry for John Galliano!!!"
5. Jessica Stam
Jessica Stam : "I'll miss you John, you're so talented. I love the Jews and what he said is awful, but also sad to watch him leave Dior."
6. Chanel Iman
Chanel Iman : “I love John Galliano. I’ve been working with him for years and he is one of the most amazing, genius men in this business. He is one of the most creative, genius designers that I’ve worked with and he’s so open to all types of people. He’s loving and he’s caring and I wish him all the best.”
7. Hilary Alexander
Hilary Alexander : "My first reaction was of disbelief, then horror - and, finally, shame. Shame for John Galliano, that he should be cast so low...But it is a desperate sadness that a man called a genius should be self-destructing in so vile and unaccountable manner. This is not the John Galliano I know and have followed for more than twenty years; whose hyena-like laugh, and smile, and ready wit, and passion for his craft inspired millions; whose creative artistry in his own collections and, then, for Givenchy, and, most recently, Christian Dior, have at times, moved me to tears. Now, my tears are of a different nature...That he was drunk, is undisputed. That he knew or recognised the venomous nature of what he was saying, or the widespread revulsion it would cause - who can tell?"
8. Olivier Zahm
Olivier Zahm : "What happened to you on Thursday night at this nice Parisian cafe, La Perle, fighting with this couple? I know that you are not at all racist —whatever you said, drunk or not, to them! Your multi-ethnic shows, celebrating the beauty of nomadic worlds, and looking into visual languages of forgotten minorities (from everywhere on this planet), has brilliantly proved it to everyone from collection to collection since years...I hope that you will be able to keep your position at Dior and I can’t wait to see your new collections in Paris next week."
9. Suzy Menkes
Suzy Menkes : "While the vile statements seen coming from Mr. Galliano’s drunken lips on the Internet video deserved the nearly-universal condemnation they were receiving, there is pathos in the vision of one of the world’s most famous — and best paid — designers alone, clutching a glass in a bar."
10. Franca Sozzani
Franca Sozzani : "I am against and I condemn any kind of racism or any behavior that shows disrespect toward any religion. But I would like to say that I’m just as disgusted by these people who saw what state John was in and took advantage of the situation by trading on his name and notoriety. It’s obvious that this was a bit inauthentic in the sense that if you are truly fighting with someone, you don’t have time to pick up a mobile phone, turn on the video GIGGLING and mockingly film what he is saying...While I condemn John’s words, I think they were said in a certain moment when he wasn’t lucid. I am frightened by how quick these young people were to try to gain notoriety or money while destroying the image of a genius."
11. Vogue Italia
Vogue Italia original post , which has since been edited down to this .]
chanel iman franca sozzani Giorgio Armani Hilary Alexander jessica stam John Galliano John Galliano Anti-Semitism John Galliano fashion world response John Galliano response Olivier Zahm Patricia Field Roberto Cavalli Stefano Gabbana Suzy Menkes Vogue Italia
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