guilty

domenico dolce & stefano gabbana have been found guilty of tax evasion & were sentenced this morning to one year & eight months in prison. neither designer was present at the sentencing & they are expected to appeal. 

galliano found guilty

john galliano was found guilty on all charges of making anti-semitic comments. he will serve no jail time and the court gave him a suspended fine of 6,000 euros ($8,415). the plaintiffs were awarded one symbolic euro each. he was also issued a suspended fine of 2,000 euros for a separate incident in october of 2010.
galliano was not in court to hear his sentence. His lawyer aurélin hamelle spoke to the bbc about the verdict, saying "there is no penalty so to speak which is a very strong sign by the courts, because it shows the court took into account his sincere apology, the fact that mr. galliano undertook treatment for his addiction." before the trail began, hamelle had said that galliano "was a sick person who was suffering from addiction & this something we are demonstrating through medical evidence, export reports." "we must not judge a man, who for 30 years, has been dedicated to diversity, who has been a loving person for all races, cultures & religions...based on 40 minutes where he was sick through alcohol & medication."galliano testified that he suffered from an increasing workload & that he had had no time to mourn after the 2007 death of his close friend, designer steven robinson.
hopefully this will be a new beginning for an amazingly talented man.  i look forward to seeing what mr. galliano does next.

louboutin vs. ysl

christian louboutin's request for a preliminary injunction to prevent YSL from selling red soled shoes has been denied by judge victor marrero. he wrote in his ruling:

because in the fashion industry color serves ornamental & aesthetic functions vital to robust competition, the court finds that louboutin is unlikely to be able to prove that its red outsold brand is entitled to trademark protection, even if it has gained enough public recognition in the market to have acquired secondary meaning.

lawyers for both sides commented on the ruling.  YSL's lawyer, david bernstein of debevoise & plimpton llp said, "we're gratified that judge marrero has agreed with YSL that no designer should be allowed to monopolize a single color for an article of apparel. as judge marrero indicated, YSL designers are artists &, like other artists, they should have the right to use the full palette of colors in designing their fashions for each season. as YSL has noted from the start, this is a trademark registration that never should have issued, & we are pleased that judge marrero has agreed that the registration likely should be cancelled."  harley lewin of mccarter & english llp who represented louboutin stated, "we are profoundly disappointed in judge marrero's decision. although we are still studying it, it appears he has decided that in the fashion industry, one color should not serve as a trademark. while he acknowledges the fashion industry at large has recognized his louboutin red sole as a trademark source indicator, he has concluded that the fashion industry needs to use colors on outsoles without restriction & this, despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary, including a recent decision by the 2nd panel of appeal at OAMI in the EU that conclude exactly the opposite, calling mr. louboutin's adoption of the bright red outsold brilliant. we will evaluate all the alternatives available in the days to come."

i have to say, i definitely side with YSL....it's a bit ridiculous to think that one owns the right to a color. i can understand that it has become a louboutin signature, but ownership of the color red is going a bit far, even if it's just for the soles of shoes - it sets a precedent that could turn into a nightmare.

alexander mcqueen's legacy

documents were made public today that revealed alexander mcqueen's estate.  according to his detailed will, most of his $26 million estate went to charity, his siblings, household staff & the upkeep of his dogs. the list of beneficiaries:

his 3 brothers & sisters:   £250,000 each
his 2 housekeepers (for their long & faithful service):   £50,000 each
his godson, nieces & nephews:   £50,000 each
his dogs (for their ongoing care):   £50,000 each
the battersea dogs & cats home:   £100,000
the blue cross sick animal center:   £100,000
the london buddhist center:   £100,000
the terrance higgins trust (promotes sexual health & safe sex practices):   £100,000                                                              


the remaining bulk of the estate was left to his sarabande charity with the suggestion that the money be used for scholarships at central st. martin's in london, of which he was a graduate.

galliano

john galliano arriving for court this morning

in better times with kate moss

john galliano stood trial today for allegedly hurling anti-semitic abuse at customers in a paris cafe.

plaintiff geraldine bloch is seeking 1 euro on moral grounds while her boyfriend, philippe virgitti is asking for 220,000 euros for compensation based on "moral damage".  if convicted, galliano faces up to 6 months in jail & a fine of 22,500 euros.  

during the trail, galliano said that he did not remember much of the events that lead to his arrest. he revealed that he was under the influence of alcohol, barbiturates & sleeping pills. he also added that in addition to the pressures of his work he had not dealt with the death of his long time collaborator & friend steven robinson. "steven protected me from everything so i could concentrate on being creative. with his death, i found i had no protection." he said that he turned to sleeping pills after the death of his father. "i really did not take the time to mourn." the verdict is set to take place on september 8. 

in other news, it is rumored that galliano is working on kate moss' wedding dress at the atelier of a leading fashion designer in new york despite denials that he would be designing her dress. "kate knows that john is deeply sorry for what happened and has always been a loyal friend," a source supposedly said. 

i really hope it's true....although he should be punished for his mistakes he should also be given the chance to recover and move forward. he is so gifted and such a talent - we who love fashion would be at a terrible loss if he were unable to return to the industry. hopefully kate moss, who was supported by many designers & fashion insiders during her scandal, will be the one to help galliano take the first step back. i still & always will love john galliano for the talent he is regardless.

galliano speaks

john galliano issued his first official statement:

since the events of last thursday evening i have not been able to make any public comment on what took place based upon advice from my french lawyer. however, given the continuing delays at the french prosecutor's office i should make my position clear.
i completely deny the claims made against me and have fully co-operated with the police investigation.
a number of independent witnesses have given evidence and have told the police that i was subjected to verbal harassment and an unprovoked assault when an individual tried to hit me with a chair having taken violent exception to my look and my clothing. for these reasons i have commenced proceedings for defamation and the threats made against me.
however, i fully accept that the accusations made against me have greatly shocked and upset people.
i must take responsibility for the circumstances in which i found myself and for allowing myself to be seen to be behaving in the worst possible light. i only have myself to blame and i know that i must face up to my own failures and that i must work hard to gain people's understanding and compassion. to start this process i am seeking help and all i can hope for in time is to address the personal failure which led to these circumstances and try and earn people's forgiveness.
i have fought my entire life against prejudice, intolerance and discrimination having been subjected to it myself. in all my work my inspiration has been to unite people of every race, creed, religion and sexuality be celebrating their cultural and ethnic diversity through fashion. that remains my guiding light.
anti-semitism and racism have no part in our society. i unreservedly apologise for my behavior in causing any offence.

the galliano saga

according to a colleague of john galliano, the designer plans to fight his dismissal from christian dior. galliano has retained london lawyer gerrard tyrrell, the same man who represented kate moss during her scandal in 2005. friends of galliano have apparently persuaded him to go immediately into rehab, reports suzy menkes, "and that the pace of fashion today, and particularly the rigorous structure of a corporate fashion house, broke the fragile, artistic creator."

the dior show will go on but who will attend is yet to be seen. many have expressed their shock and sadness (and disgust) for the designers fall from grace:

alexandra shulman, british vogue: "i think galliano made a terrible mistake and such offensive behavior could not be ignored. it is all the same true that he has a huge talent and has contributed enormously to the resurrection of the house of dior. who can predict what the future will bring."

jessica stam, model: "i'll miss john, you're so talented. i love the jews and what he said is awful but also sad to watch him leave dior."

hilary alexander, fashion director of the daily telegraph: "what devils possessed galliano we may never know. what private hell he is going through is equally unknowable. but one thing is certain: he needs help. i am not for a moment excusing his behavior. there will come a time when he must confront the viper in his breast. but, right now, this is a moment in his life when he needs support and love from the industry he has given life to."

patricia fields, designer & stylist: "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 its ok when it's mel brooks' 'the producers' singing springtime for hitler."

for me personally, i'm just incredibly sad.  i would never condone what he has said but at the same time, i don't think he should be destroyed by it. this industry is rife with racism - overt and subtle. vogue italia runs a whole issue devoted to black models once a year and then goes back to all white girls. the story i just posted is titled "china girls" and, although i think it's gorgeous, it is totally cliched. numerous stories have run in the past years featuring white models in black face. i don't necessarily agree with patricia field but i do see a kernel of what she meant. i truly hope that galliano can weather the storm and come back victorious. he is a HUGE talent in fashion and should not be discarded so easily. i also feel that there may have been more happening behind the scenes at the house of dior in regards to galliano since their reaction was so quick and final. should they not have given him the opportunity to go into rehab first? something in the water doesn't smell quite right for me.
it's so easy to get on one's high horse and judge - just look at last week when first diane von furstenberg gives statements about young models in the industry and then unwittingly uses a 15 year old. not that it's the same thing but.... we have not even had the opportunity to hear from mr. galliano himself. all in all noone wins in this terrible, terrible situation.

john galliano fired from christian dior

it was just announced that john galliano has been fired from dior effective immediately. sidney toledano, dior's president & ceo stated "i condemn most firmly the statements made by john galliano which are a total contradiction with the essential values that have always been defended by the house of chrisian dior." as of this moment, dior intends to proceed with friday's runway presentation in paris.

galliano faces accusers

after more allegations and a video surfaced, galliano & his lawyer, stéphane zerbib went to the police station in paris today to meet with the three people making the accusations against him.  liberation, a french newspaper, is reporting that galliano arrived at the precinct at 2 p.m. and left at 7 p.m. without making any statements. this just makes me incredibly sad. hopefully everyone will refrain from commenting until everything is known about the situation.

galliano files defamation claim

john galliano has filed a defamation claim against the couple who claimed he yelled anti-semitic slurs and assaulted them on thursday night.  galliano's lawyer stephane zerbib told wwd that the designer provided the police three witness statements saying the comments were never uttered - including the account of galliano's chauffeur. zerbib added, galliano "is not guity and is not embroiled in a court case or anything. he feels [the suspension from dior] is a decision that has been made without verification of the facts and based on one side of the story and he is very shocked about that."

the couple - identified by le figaro as géraldine bloch, 35, and philippe virgiti, 41 - stated that galliano allegedly yelled "dirty jewish face, you should be dead!" and "fucking asian bastard, i will kill you!"
there was also hair pulling.  bloch stated that "i was sitting with a friend and the table next to us was open, a bizarre guy sat down, ordered a mojito and started to tell me i was a bitch. at the beginning it was just 'dirty bitch', "and after the anti-semitic & racist insults "we couldn't get rid of him, he was a friend of the owner," and the people around her had to tell her, "that's a star, that's john galliano." "i'm not jewish but in this case, i feel a solidarity with an arab person and a jewish person." (bloch works ath the insitut du monde arabe) but then it continued. "shut your mouth, dirty bitch. i cannot tolerate your voice," galliano yelled. "you are so ugly i cannot even look at you, "continued the designer. "you have low-end boots, disgusting thighs. you don't have hair, your eyebrows are ugly, you're disgusting, you're nothing but a bitch." and he finished with "i am the designer john galliano." he then told virgiti "i will kill you"

the police were alerted and arrived in minutes. after being taken to the station and tested, galliano tested positive for the "alcotest" at 1.01g. he passed by hotel dieu hospital's medical service and was quickly examined but without a blood test. shortly after his arrest he was released and his chauffeur was given permission to take him home.

galliano suspended

john galliano has been suspended from dior after allegedly making anti-semitic slurs against a couple at a cafe in paris' marais district last night. he was briefly detained by police but released & no charges have been filed. he lawyer, stephane zerbib, said that galliano "formally denies the accusations of anti-semitism made against him...(he) is not at all in this state of mind (and) will explain later." he added that "legal action will be taken against those making such accusations."
vogue uk is reporting the following:
we had a table at la perle and john galliano sat next to 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 bodygaurd 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."
christian dior president & ceo sidney toledano confirmed that galliano has been suspended until police conclude their investigation of last nights incident, according to women's wear daily. toledano emphasized that dior has a zero-tolerance policy against racism and anti-semitism.
read more about the incident here. hopefully everyone will refrain from gossiping about the incident with wild speculation!

hell's bells

the hells angels have filed a suit  against alexander mcqueen, zappos & saks fifth avenue for selling items they believe constitute trademark infringement including the hell's four-finger ring and hells angels jacquard box dress shown above. "this isn't just about money, it's about membership," said hells angeles lawyer fritz clapp, a los angeles base biker. "if you've got one of these rings on, a member might get really upset that you're an imposter." the hells angels are asking for unspecified damages and the supervised destruction of offending merchandise. a trademark-infringement lawyer noted in the post that "the world is full of skulls," and that it's not so clear that all merchandise in question does in fact pose a legal violation.

aimed at criminals

people in the tibetan capital of lhasa will have to register their names if they want to make photocopies. city shopkeepers say the authorities are particularly concerned about material printed in tibetan. this appears to be an attempt to prevent ordinary people from printing political pamphlets and other documents. individuals wanting to photocopy documents will have to show their id cards and have the information recorded. companies will have to register their names and addresses, the number of copies they want and provide the name of the manager in charge of the work. the police say they will carry out checks and punish any shop that does not abide by the new regulation. photocopying outlets in lhasa told the bbc that the rule is primarily aimed at the tibetan language. one shopkeeper said she would not now make copies of documents in tibetan without police approval first. (reprinted from the bbc)

american apparel in trouble?

the new york post has an interesting article on american apparel's financial status....

on another note....try googling american apparel - it's like a porn fest! yikes.