Repulsive Little Fashion Troll
Manolo says, to be filed under things that make the Manolo both sad and angry.
Fasion guru John Galliano was filmed having a vile racist rant during which he declared: “I love Hitler.”
The British designer – an alleged Jew hater – then tells a horrified woman: “People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers, would all be f****** gassed.”
His tirade was videoed by a friend of the people he was insulting – who were French and Italian, but not Jewish.Galliano, 50, was at the same Paris bar where he allegedly launched a vicious verbal attack on two people last week – which led to him being arrested and suspended by fashion label Christian Dior.
After stating he loves Hitler and making the gassing remark, a woman is heard to say, ‘Oh my God’ before asking slurring Galliano if he had a problem.
He said: “With you. You’re ugly.” Asked where he was from, he said: “Your a***hole.”
Dior should fire John Galliano. Such behavior is beyond the bounds of what should be tolerated. Nothing more needs to be said about this specific instance.
However, such repulsive behavior in one so mightily talented raises the larger question: how does one separate the art from the artist?
The sad fact is that great talent is often found in horrible people.
So, how does one enjoy the transcendent clothing of John Galliano without feeling that one is somehow patronizing the bigot?
How to sanction the artist, while admitting that his art brings beauty and joy to the world?
The Manolo, who loves the poetry of Ezra Pound, the music of Wagner, and the clothing of John Galliano, has no easy answer to this question.