Canadian model Jessica Stam walks in Dior show in support of John Galliano, a “friend in a dark place”
Natalie Portman may have withdrawn her support for John Galliano after a video surfaced depicting the soon-to-be former Dior designer unleashing an anti-Semitic tirade on patrons at a Paris bar, but Canadian model Jessica Stam remained committed to the label, walking in Galliano’s final Dior show in Paris last Friday. In the drunken rant, Galliano, who joined the fashion house in 1996, drunkenly proclaims “I love Hitler,” an offence punishable as a crime under French law.
Portman, who is the face of Dior’s Miss Dior Cherie fragrance, released a statement Monday condemning Galliano’s remarks, according to a New York Times blog.
I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today. 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. I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful.
Stam, on the other hand, took to her Twitter account in defence of Galliano. She wrote late last week, “I believe every human being on this earth was created equal. I also don’t turn my back on my friends when they’re in a dark place.”
Before Dior’s runway show in Paris, company president Sidney Toledano gave a speech describing Galliano’s comments as “a terrible and wrenching ordeal for us all.” Amidst rumours that Galliano—who has reportedly entered rehab for alcoholism—could not do much preparatory work for his autumn 2011 collection, Toledano said, “the heart of the house of Dior, which beats unseen, is made up of its teams and studios, its seamstresses and craftsmen.” The atelier specialists received a standing ovation at the end of the show.
• Video Raises Questions for Designer [New York Times]
• Tears and Applause at Dior [New York Times]
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[caption id="attachment_58525" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Jessica Stam and John Galliano in 2007 (Image: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) "] [/caption]
Natalie Portman may have withdrawn her support for John Galliano after a video surfaced depicting the soon-to-be former Dior designer unleashing an anti-Semitic tirade on patrons at a Paris bar, but Canadian model Jessica Stam remained committed to the label, walking in Galliano’s final Dior show in Paris last Friday. In the drunken rant, Galliano, who joined the fashion house in 1996, drunkenly proclaims “I love Hitler,” an offence punishable as a crime under French law.
Portman, who is the face of Dior’s Miss Dior Cherie fragrance, released a statement Monday condemning Galliano’s remarks, according to a New York Times blog.
I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today. 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. I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful.
Stam, on the other hand, took to her Twitter account in defence of Galliano. She wrote late last week, “I believe every human being on this earth was created equal. I also don’t turn my back on my friends when they’re in a dark place.”
Before Dior’s runway show in Paris, company president Sidney Toledano gave a speech describing Galliano’s comments as “a terrible and wrenching ordeal for us all.” Amidst rumours that Galliano—who has reportedly entered rehab for alcoholism—could not do much preparatory work for his autumn 2011 collection, Toledano said, “the heart of the house of Dior, which beats unseen, is made up of its teams and studios, its seamstresses and craftsmen.” The atelier specialists received a standing ovation at the end of the show.
• Video Raises Questions for Designer [New York Times]
• Tears and Applause at Dior [New York Times]){kind=link}
Good for you Jessica…ironically…natalie portman (not her real name), was only proud to be jewish after her fame was sealed with a hollywood kiss…she is a hypocrit…no surprise there…in a circle of hypocrits and self-serving ass-kissers..strength is shown in believing in the truth, not in grovelling in the mud of gossip and conspiracy…
Rosanne, even for an internet troll like yourself, your rant is over the top. He was filmed making vile slurs and was fired by Dior accordingly.
I mean c’mmon he was drunk u guys, everybody says stupid things when intoxicated, idk he’s still talented
when drunk,one does say foolish things but usually ingrained things one was conditioned not to do or say consciously….so,he was speaking his truth.
roseanne? gossip? it is a video.
and his rant was viscious however,i would like to know what occured prior in the convo.
and roseanne,please stop the hypocrisy.
you comment on gossip after making a gossip based comment about portman? since that comment was not based in fact
Rosanne, you sound as vapid and misguided as Jessica. Hmm, a model and an ingrate defending an anti-semite while ranting foolishness about a talented, EDUCATED Jewish actress (did you see the Oscars this year? She WON BEST ACTRESS), and also never hid the fact that she’s Jewish!!!
What are YOU hiding? Nazis in your family?
Jessica Stam’s tweet is repulsive and unfortunately she is unknowingly perpetuating a stereotype that models are vapid idiots with little between their ears. She believes that all people are created equal, yet supports a man who believes in the contrary and would rather an entire ethnicity not exist. Make no mistake, we are all our most honest selves when we are drunk, Galliano is a hateful anti-semite and I can’t commend Dior enough for firing him.
Looks like Jessica is seeking her next meal ticket! True colour shining through.
This is a tough one… On the one hand, I agree that when we’re drunk we can say and do REALLY stupid things; on the other hand, there is something that instinctively stops most normal people from saying and doing things that cross the line, e.g. criminal acts, etc… It’s like the whole Charlie Sheen thing… Either Galliano is a secret manic depressive, schizophrenic or has some other mental illness that he hides that only comes out when he’s completely impaired. Or maybe he’s an insecure, unstable, megalomanic alcoholic who was taunted by some tacky tourists at a cafe…. Even if they were tacky and/or aggravating him, there are other ways of putting someone in their place without resorting to racial slurs… Call them ugly, stupid… whatever… I feel sorry for him, but I don’t feel sorry for his punishment. The sad reality however is that he’ll lay low for a while, make a fake apology and continue to be rich and famous and everyone will forget about this sooner than later, so what is the lesson here???
Roseanne, how can you support Galliano and Tam and call Portman a hypocrite? ( By the way, she uses “Portman” because it’s a name from her mother’s side of the family; she supports charities in the Middle East; and she’s even had editorials published in the Harvard student newspaper about Middle Eastern affairs). Galliano obviously has hate issues and I totally understand Portman’s disgust. Alcohol tends to release inhibitions…maybe Galliano just felt free to say what he really believed. It may have been a stupid comment or a deep-seated angry revalation…either way, it’s deplorable!
Jessica,….classy. Your tweet is disgusting. You probably support the Charlie Sheen circus. I’m glad Galliano was fired and I’m glad he is seeking help.
There was nothing wrong with Stam’s tweet. There was nothing right about Galliano’s tirade. You can stand by a friend without endorsing their wrong actions or beliefs.