John Galliano Fired From Dior, Headed to Rehab

Dior has moved to fire John Galliano. The decision comes after developing reports and charges against Galliano for anti-Semitic outbursts. The fashion house suspended Galliano last Friday after he was charged with anti-Semitism and racism by curator Géraldine Bloch. A video of a seperate incident posted to The Sun yesterday morning showed the couturier mocking patrons and proclaiming his love for Hitler at a Parisian cafe. Obviously inebriated, Galliano said, "I love Hitler...People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers would all be...gassed." WWD continues to refer to both of these accounts as "allegations" of anti-Semitism.

Dior's CEO, Sidney Toledano, stated that Galliano's behavior was “in total contradiction with the essential values that have always been defended by the Christian Dior house.”

Natalie Portman, face of Miss Dior Chérie, released a statement condemning the designer's remarks : "I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today. 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.” 

Dior's Ready-to-Wear show and John Galliano's eponymous line will likely proceed as scheduled on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Dior has not yet announced a replacement.

[UPDATE: Suzy Menkes reports that Galliano has retained the services of Gerrard Tyrrell, the lawyer that worked for Kate Moss during her cocaine abuse scandal, and will fight to stay at Dior.]

[UPDATE: New reports state that Galliano's friends have convinced him to go straight to rehab and that "the pace of fashion today, and particularly the rigorous structure of a corporate fashion house, broke the fragile, artistic creator."]

Related Stories:

• Galliano's Departure From Dior Ends a Wild Fashion Ride [NYTimes]
• Dior Fires John Galliano After Bigotry Complaints [NYTimes]
• Dior Ousts Galliano in Wake of Anti-Semitic Allegations [WWD]
• John Galliano Has Been Fired From Christian Dior [Vogue.co.uk]
• Vogue Italia's Defense of Galliano [Refinery29]