Galliano suspended after café row
British fashion designer John Galliano has been suspended as creative director of Christian Dior after he was detained and accused of an anti-Semitic insult.
Dior said today it is suspending him pending an investigation into the incident in a Paris restaurant on Thursday night.
The Paris prosecutor’s office says a couple in the restaurant accused Galliano of anti-Semitic insults.
A police official said that Galliano and the couple also slapped each other.
He said Galliano’s blood alcohol levels were high.
Galliano has been Dior’s creative director for 14 years.
“The House of Dior confirms, with the greatest firmness, its policy of zero tolerance for any anti-Semitic or racist comments,” Sidney Toledano, CEO of Dior Couture, said in the statement.
Galliano’s suspension is a big blow at a bad moment for one of world fashion’s most talked about companies.
Dior would not comment on whether it would present its collection as planned at the fall-winter 2011-2012 ready-to-wear shows that start up in Paris next week.
Galliano’s flamboyant personality and over-the-top creations have become synonymous with Dior over his 14-year tenure.
He revamped and modernised the image of the house and sent out intricate, imaginative collections themed around everything from ancient Egypt to Masai tribesmen and 18th century equestrians.
Known for his chameleon style, he thrills fashion insiders at the end of each runway show by taking a puffed-out rooster strut, always in an outrageous costume.
Dior is owned by luxury group LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
