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.