By Elizabeth Puranam
The verdict in the racism trial of fashion designer John Galliano is expected in Paris in the next few hours.
His anti-Semitic rant at a bar earlier this year was caught on video and cost him his job at Christian Dior.
For a quarter of a century, Galliano was widely regarded as one of the fashion world’s greatest designers.
But it was comments made to women in a Paris bar that saw him case out of the industry.
“I love Hitler. People like you would be dead today. Your mothers, your forefathers would be gassed today.”
Just days after the footage surfaced, Christian Dior sacked Galliano after 15 years as the fashion house’s creative director.
During his hearing in June, Galliano claimed he had no recollection of the event because of his addiction to alcohol, valium and sleeping pills.
He told the court he wasn’t racist and that he was sorry.
“Mr Galliano is relieved to finally be able to give the court and public opinion his account of events, of his fears and past errors linked to alcohol and medication,” Galliano’s lawyer Aurelien Hamelle said.
It seems Galliano still has plenty of support in the industry.
“He has been doing an amazing job for our business for many, many years and don’t think you can judge someone on one instance when they’re not completely in control of their lives,” says photographer Mario Testino.
“There was something very suspicious about the whole thing, I have to say,” says model Yasmin le Bon.
“I’m not convinced. I know him as a person. He’s possibly one of the most polite people I’ve ever met.”
“I’m not afraid to say it; he might have been set up,” says musician Simon le Bon. “It might have been a business thing. But who knows.”
Galliano faces up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $37,000 if convicted.
3 News