Paris, France (CNS) – Disgraced fashion designer John Galliano has been sacked as the chief designer of haute couture label Christian Dior following the alleged anti-Semitics comments he made last week. Chief executive and president Sidney Toledano announced that they have fired Galliano after seeing the video, in which the drunk designer declared: “I love Hitler.”
Toledano said in a statement: “I unequivocally condemn the statements made by John Galliano, which are in total contradiction to the longstanding core values of Christian Dior.”
“Because of the particularly odious nature of John Galliano’s behavior and views, in a video made public on Monday, Christian Dior has decided to lay him off at once and has commenced formal dismissal procedures.”
Galliano was hit by two separate charges over allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks. The first incident took place Friday when he was arrested following complaints of verbal assault. Dior chose to keep silent then, waiting for the investigation to be finalized before drawing conclusions.
However, the next incident was caught on video and was too damning to ignore. The footage shows Galliano slurring a racist rant, declaring “I love Hitler” in a Paris café.
The fashion house’s announcement came just hours after Miss Dior Cherie perfume endorser Natalie Portman, who wore a deep purple Rodarte gown at the Academy Awards last Sunday instead of the brand, condemned Galliano’s actions in a statement.
The Oscar Best Actress said she refuses to be associated with Galliano in any way.
For his part, Galliano denies making any racist slurs, filing a claim of defamation, insult and menace against Geraldine Bloch, 35, and Philippe Virgiti, 41, the couple at the Paris café whom he allegedly verbally assaulted.
