Major fashion faux pas!
John Galliano has been suspended from Dior for alleged assault and making anti-Semitic remarks, WWD reports.
French police briefly detained the 50-year-old British fashion designer after he allegedly verbally accosted a couple sitting at a table at a cafe in Paris' chic Marais district Thursday. "For the moment we don't know what led him to address the couple," a police source told AFP police. "We don't yet know if they knew each other or not."
Galliano, who was reportedly drinking alcohol before the incident, was released by the police because no charges have been filed. His lawyer, Stephane Zerbib, told the AFP that the designer "formally denies the accusations of anti-Semitism made against him … [he] is not at all in this state of mind [and] will explain later." Zerbib added that "legal action will be taken against those making such accusations."
Sidney Toldedano, Chairman and Executive Officer of Christian Dior released this statement today:
"Christian Dior has an unequivocal zero-tolerance policy regarding anti-Semitism and racism. Christian Dior has suspended John Galliano from his position, pending the conclusion of the investigation being conducted by authorities."
No word on how this will affect preparations for next week's Paris Fashion Week where he is expected to show fall-winter collections for Dior as well as his own label.