Former Dior designer John Galliano has gone on trial charged with hurling antisemitic slurs in a Paris cafe, allegations that shocked the fashion world and cost him his job at the French high-fashion house.
The outspoken British designer emerged for the one-day trial in Paris after spending months out of the public eye. In a conservative look for him, Galliano was dressed in black with a polka dot neckerchief, sporting a pencil moustache and long hair.
Galliano is charged with "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity" and could face up to six months in prison and €22,500 in fines. The verdict is expected at a later date.
The designer was escorted to a front-row seat in the wood-panelled, gilded courtroom at the Palace of Justice, sitting next to an interpreter as he faced the three judges presiding over his fate.
Journalists, including fashion writers, packed the wooden benches in the courtroom, which features a high ceiling painted with a woman holding the scales of justice. Television cameras were not allowed in the courtroom but trailed the designer as he went inside.
A couple contends that Galliano made antisemitic comments to them in the cafe in February. Galliano was taken in by police for questioning, and a test showed he was drunk at the time. Another woman then came forward with similar claims about another incident in the same cafe last October. Both accusations were being addressed at Wednesday's trial.
Days after the February bar incident, a video was broadcast on the website of the Sun showing an inebriated Galliano insulting a fellow cafe client, slurring "I love Hitler".
His lawyer, Aurelien Hamelle, told the Associated Press this week that the designer's comments were "misplaced and hurtful" but attributed them to Galliano's addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs.
Galliano issued a statement at the time saying: "Antisemitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologise for my behaviour in causing any offence." He also said he was "seeking help" for personal failures, spending two months in rehab in the US.
The lawyer said he will call witnesses at the cafe during both incidents who say they did not hear any insults by Galliano.
Any conviction could depend on whether the court determines that the insults were made publicly or not. French law prohibits public insults towards others because of their origins, race or religion.
The cafe incident in February and the video reverberated throughout the fashion world because they emerged on the eve of Paris Fashion Week.
Dior fired Galliano after 14 years with the company and denounced his comments. After joining the company in 1996, Galliano made an indelible mark on the house, with theatrical, often outrageous, runway shows that were among the most-anticipated displays on the Paris fashion calendar.
The trial is being held on the opening day of another round of Paris fashion shows, the menswear spring-summer 2012 collection.
The outspoken British designer emerged for the one-day trial in Paris after spending months out of the public eye. In a conservative look for him, Galliano was dressed in black with a polka dot neckerchief, sporting a pencil moustache and long hair.
Galliano is charged with "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity" and could face up to six months in prison and €22,500 in fines. The verdict is expected at a later date.
The designer was escorted to a front-row seat in the wood-panelled, gilded courtroom at the Palace of Justice, sitting next to an interpreter as he faced the three judges presiding over his fate.
Journalists, including fashion writers, packed the wooden benches in the courtroom, which features a high ceiling painted with a woman holding the scales of justice. Television cameras were not allowed in the courtroom but trailed the designer as he went inside.
A couple contends that Galliano made antisemitic comments to them in the cafe in February. Galliano was taken in by police for questioning, and a test showed he was drunk at the time. Another woman then came forward with similar claims about another incident in the same cafe last October. Both accusations were being addressed at Wednesday's trial.
Days after the February bar incident, a video was broadcast on the website of the Sun showing an inebriated Galliano insulting a fellow cafe client, slurring "I love Hitler".
His lawyer, Aurelien Hamelle, told the Associated Press this week that the designer's comments were "misplaced and hurtful" but attributed them to Galliano's addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs.
Galliano issued a statement at the time saying: "Antisemitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologise for my behaviour in causing any offence." He also said he was "seeking help" for personal failures, spending two months in rehab in the US.
The lawyer said he will call witnesses at the cafe during both incidents who say they did not hear any insults by Galliano.
Any conviction could depend on whether the court determines that the insults were made publicly or not. French law prohibits public insults towards others because of their origins, race or religion.
The cafe incident in February and the video reverberated throughout the fashion world because they emerged on the eve of Paris Fashion Week.
Dior fired Galliano after 14 years with the company and denounced his comments. After joining the company in 1996, Galliano made an indelible mark on the house, with theatrical, often outrageous, runway shows that were among the most-anticipated displays on the Paris fashion calendar.
The trial is being held on the opening day of another round of Paris fashion shows, the menswear spring-summer 2012 collection.
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