Dior fires Galliano for anti-Semitic slurs

Iconic fashion house Christian Dior fired its creative director John Galliano Tuesday for making anti-Semitic remarks.

The decision followed the release of an amateur video that was filmed in December during which Galliano, 50, is shown drunkenly saying, "I love Hitler." The video's release came in the wake of a claim by a couple who accused the designer of assaulting them and making anti-Semitic statements last week at a Parisian hot spot.

On Saturday, another woman complained that the designer had made anti-Semitic remarks to her in October at the same place. Galliano was detained by police after the first incident, and spent five hours at the police station on Monday, according to Women's Wear Daily.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman, who appears in the Miss Dior Cherie perfume ad campaign, issued a statement condemning Galliano.

One of the world's leading fashion houses, Dior reacted swiftly to the accusations, first suspending Galliano, then announcing Tuesday they would sever all ties.

"In light of the deeply offensive statement and conduct by John Galliano in a video made public yesterday, Christian Dior has commenced termination procedures against him," said Dior president and chief executive Sidney Toledano in a statement. "We unequivocally condemn the statements made by John Galliano, which are in total contradiction to the long-standing core values at Christian Dior."

The designer's attorney, Stephane Zerbib, said last week that Galliano vigorously denied wrongdoing.

"Dior is doing what's right to protect the brand, the company and their customers," said brand consultant Tom Julian of the Tom Julian Group. He said he didn't think there would be a consumer backlash because the company "acknowledged the problem, took an action, and remedied [it] as soon as possible."

"For the majority of consumers, this change is not an issue," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst of the NPD Group, a Port Washington-based market research firm. "Keep in mind that the vast majority of people who buy the product don't necessarily know who designed it."

In her statement released late Monday in Los Angeles, Portman, who was raised in Syosset and is Jewish, said, "I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano's comments. 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."

The actress was believed to have chosen a Dior dress for the Academy Awards on Sunday. She did not wear the label, instead appearing in Rodarte, leaving fashion watchers wondering if she had made a last-minute wardrobe switch.

Galliano is widely regarded as a fashion star, heralded for his showmanship and talents.

While news sources said that the show of Dior's Galliano-designed fall-winter 2011-12 collection will go on as scheduled, a public relations source for Dior indicated late last evening that it is not a guarantee. "Dior is making its best effort to make it happen," the source said.