John Galliano Suspended by Dior for Café Altercation: What He Said, What The Couple Said {Fashion Notes}

The media reported yesterday that designer John Galliano had been suspended by Dior at a crucial time for the collections for allegedly verbally abusing a couple sitting at the terrace of the Café La Perle in the Marais district of Paris on Thursday night. It has been established since then that Galliano was under the influence. Two sources report two somewhat contradictory statements about what took place.

See after the jump a recap: what Galliano reportedly said; what the couple reportedly said, heard and did as they were interviewed by a French radio, Europe 1; the latest updates...

Sleek Magazine has the story reported by eye witnesses that John Galliano remained calm thoughout the incident and might have been mistaken for a bum by the French couple given his unconventional dressing style. The woman, Géraldine Bloch, did mention in her radio account that she perceived Galliano as a "bizarre sort" and did not know him. Sleek reports that the couple verbally assaulted Galliano first, while the couple claims that Galliano aggressed them first. Sleek reports,

In contrast to this story, the woman plaintiff recounts on Europe 1 (see video below) that Galliano hurled a series of insults at her and her companion out of the blue, both in French and English, the latter which she does not understand apparently as she had to ask the police what a specific expression meant. She explains that Galliano told her he could not stand the sound of her voice, called her a whore, told her she was revolting, looked cheap, was a country bumpkin, and that she should not have been born. He also called her in English "a Jewish cunt." She adds that she is not Jewish but feels solidarity with those who are scapegoated. Her male friend started losing his temper and Galliano allegedly confronted him telling him "you're dead" and calling him "a dirty Asian."

Galliano was found to be just above the legal limit for inebriety.

"Il m'a demandé de fermer ma gueule"

Added: WWD reports this morning that Galliano has filed "a claim of defamation and injury against the couple."

"His lawyer Stephane Zerbib told WWD the designer visited police in Paris’ third arrondissement at midnight on Friday to provide three witness statements that he never made any such comments.

The designer has also filed a claim of defamation and injury against the couple – identified on Le Figaro’s Web site as Géraldine Bloch, 35, and Philippe Virgiti, 41 - and is now awaiting the decision of police, Zerbib said."

Le Figaro more specifically reports that Zerbib has gathered the testimonials of two security guards and the owner of the bar who have stated that Galliano never used any antisemitic insults, although they do apparently acknowledge that the altercation took place.

Via WWD