John Galliano appeared victorious in an early round of litigation against his former employer, Christian Dior. In the hearing, it was revealed that the designer made $7.7 million annually as Creative Director of Christian Dior Couture and his own label.
John Galliano, the disgraced designer who was fired from Christian Dior after anti-semetic rants in a Paris bar, is finally firing back. Yesterday (Monday), he won the first round in a case against Dior in French Labor Relations Court, according to his lawyer, Chantal Giraud-van Gaver of Coblence & Associés. The court ruled that it was fit to hear the designer’s claims against his dismissal from Dior in March 2011. The lawyer for Christian Dior Couture, argued that the case should be heard by a commercial court because of the elaborate contracts held between the house at the designer. That lawyer, Jean Néret of Jeantet Associés, argued that Galliano should be viewed as an independent contractor of the company, rather than as an employee.
Dior reportedly has 15 days to contest the ruling. If it opposes, the case will go to the court of appeals in seven to nine months.
By the way during the trial, the details of Galliano’s salary was revealed. He earned a fixed gross annual salary of 1 million euros (around $1.3 million) at Christian Dior Couture, as well as $906,400 in “variable compensation,” a wardrobe budget of 30,000 euros (about $38,850), and a grooming budget of $77,700 for personal appearances. And that was just Dior: Galliano also operated his own namesake brand, where he apparently earned a fixed gross salary of 2 million euros (roughly $2.6 million) and a separate clothing budget of 70,000 euros (or $90,650). In addition, Galliano got paid separately as a consultant for Christian Dior Couture and Parfums Christian Dior on creative matters like ad campaigns, runway shows, and Websites.
John Galliano post the ‘Jewgate’ scandal last year had to exit Dior, the luxe label owned by Luxury Conglomerate – Louis Vuitton Moet Henessey (LVMH). But now the second biggest luxury group – PPR headed by François-Henri Pinault as the Group’s Chairman is in talks with John Galliano to make PPR’s debut foray in to Haute Couture.
None of PPR’s current fashion brands in its portfolio are included in the Haute Couture sphere. Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini has an agreement with PPR to do limited edition evening gowns collection, worn by celebrities such as actress Salma Hayek at red-carpet events. By the way Salma Hayek is married to PPR Chairman, François-Henri Pinault.
French retail conglomerate PPR is in an acquisition spree and recently completed its acquisition of 100 per cent of Italian tailor Brioni. The esoteric label - Brioni will now become a key player in PPR’s move into accessories and expansion in the Asian market.
I find it rather hard to believe but Vogue UK is reporting that Alexander Wang is the designer who is considered for the prestigious job at DIOR. The magazine claims that a ‘source close to LVMH’ provided them with this inside news. I find it hard to believe that Alexander Wang is considered for the Dior job because Wang is way too young in the industry and his fashion sensibilities are more inclined towards ‘Streetwear’ than ‘Couture’.
While Vogue UK may insist that insiders say Alexander Wang “is the new name in the frame for the Dior job,” they’re quick to add that “industry experts may scoff at the idea.” But then what happened to other contenders? Marc Jacobs who openly stated during New York Fashion Week that he is game for the JOB did not get it reportedly because he asked for a huge price – as huge as 10 Million Dollars. The other contender – Ricardo Tisci is very content with Givenchy and politely turned down the Dior offer. Vogue UK also reports the LVMH insider stating, “for Dior, it’s a pretty tricky situation, as the three favorites really can’t take the job. Haider Ackermann is said to be ‘way too edgy’ for Dior“.
So the mystery on who will replace the maverick John Galliano continues and if the latest report from Vogue UK on Alexander Wang grabbing the coveted Dior job is to be believed then it really comes as a big surprise. But I will wait till Dior makes the Official Announcement!
A Paris court pronounced John Galliano guilty of making anti-Semitic slurs. The designer won’t serve jail time and has been given a suspended sentence of 10,000 Euro in fines. However there are some discrepancies on the quantum of the verdict. Womens Wear Daily (WWD) reports that Galliano has been slammed a fine of 17,500 Euros, while BBC is reporting it to be only 10,000 Euros.
John Galliano was absent from the proceedings, and according to GQ, who has been Tweeting live from the hearing, Galliano has to pay the fine “Only if [he] starts up with the slander again.” A report on NY1 confirms that Galliano will not have to pay the fine unless he repeats his crime within the next five years. Seems Galliano got off easy!
All victims said that they do not believe that Galliano is truly anti-Semitic or racist. Galliano’s lawyer said his client will continue to seek treatment for his addictions to drugs and alcohol.
Galliano stood trial on June 22 on charges of “public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity” that took place on two separate occasions last February at a Paris cafe, La Perle–charges that cost Galliano his job as creative director at Dior. During the trial the designer said that he had no recollection of making any antiSemitic or racist slurs but after watching the infamous “I love Hitler” viral video Galliano apologized “for all the sadness this affair has caused.” He also admitted he was suffering from a “triple addiction.”
So the story of John Galliano’s downfall finally comes to end. As he continues to seek treatment, hopefully he can restore his image, get clean, and go back to doing what he does best–making beautiful clothes.
Yesterday, on the opening day of the Paris Couture Week Autumn-Winter 2011-12 Christian Dior for the first time in 15 years had a Couture show minus John Galliano.
Bill Gaytten, Galliano’s assistant for 23 years stepped in to replace the maestro – and pulled off an impossibly difficult task with ease and canny sense of knowing what sells. In fact Gaytten took a dig at Galliano by stating that the atelier had spent time developing new techniques, rather than plundering archives. 
The collection started with a colourful, pop-art print with tutti-frutti embroideries on skirts and structured, embroidered mosaic-effect jackets before graduating onto romantic mille-feuille rose-petal effect taffeta fluttering ballgowns. Sydney Toledano, the boss at Dior gave Bill Gaytten a warm hug post show.