My Thoughts On John Galliano's Documentary | The Great Rebrand? 

Im all in for people recovering from their dark side but something left me thinking about the documentary… When one of the people that got insulted said they never received an apology from John, I can’t say if that is completely true but if that’s the case I would have preferred him apologizing to the people he insulted than the tour with Jewish leaders, it ends being performative and not deep and truthful. Anyway I really hope that if he goes back to a power house he behaves properly and positively, and takes care of himself and his ateliers.

The way I haven't watched this still is a crime, but it's difficult to disuss because we seem as a society to pick and choose who we forgive and who we don't. The pr surrounding his return has been a real masterclass in subtlety and it's been a very long time coming, like you said his time at ODLR was a sign of what was to come and so now he has climbed his way back, it'll be interesting to see where he goes from here. Though I am curious why he didn't stay to turn Margiela into an LVMH competitor, Im sure OTB would've wanted it

I appreciate you breaking this down but one thing I think gets very miss understood is that alcoholism is a full disease and can completely change a person. The lack of awareness around addiction is the biggest hurdle I think we’re still needing to face because when Naomi says “that’s not John” she understands addiction (as a recovering addict herself) and knows you do things you would absolutely never even think of sober. I just wanted to add that context. And I really appreciated how they brought in an addiction specialist in the movie too but think it could have been broken down more for people. I love your content, hope to run into you sometime at a fashion week.

I saw the documentary. I do wish there were more about the details of John Galliano's highs in fashion (more about his discovery of new methods, fabrics, and techniques) and not just the glitz of his earlier career. Before seeing it I didn't know that there was more than one occasion of his tirades on Jewish people. As far as that goes, his sentencing, fulfilling that sentence, numerous public apologies, and subsequent behavior in that respect are enough for him to move on. The House of Dior felt the same not many years after his charges, being that they gave him a private viewing of the haute couture collection via permission from Toledano. Addiction is a very complex behavior and ultimately the addict is responsible for their actions. I think JG came to terms with this through therapy. Too many enablers were happy to attach themselves to him for reasons that benefited them individually. However, who's to say that their intervention would have prevented anything. One thing's for sure, the demands of haute couture brands must be re-evaluated. As too many of these uber-talented designers have called it quits while being still relatively young. I hope what has happened in JG's earlier career with Dior is a case study for designers (on that level) and luxury brands of what happens when unrealistic demands and profits collide.

loved your breakdown and so appreciate you highlighting the numerous occasions in which he was antisemetic and the impact from influences around him not condemning this behavior!! as you said, many want to minimize this as a one off. I think this documentary was very honest in a way I did not expect!!

I think to understand Galliano's past, is to understand addiction. I recommend Gabor Mates book "hungry ghosts'. Galliano has a past. A destructive past that I see is filled with pain and depression, no addict is free from pain. Do we not all have a past? At least I know that I have. And I have tried my best to make amends from it. If the people around me never would forgive me it would be a miserable life for me. Some have, some have not.. I hate the position people take as if they are perfect people.

This is a good take. On the subject of cultural appropriation, in the 80s and 90s I think it was much more likely to be accepted as form of post-modern pastiche rather than anything requiring greater scrutiny, so Galliano's magpie aesthetic was less likely to draw ire. That said, I think both Rei and Yohji were criticised for their appropriation of 'hobo' style in the early 80s - and it's not that far from Marc Jacobs' adoption of grunge in the 92 Perry Ellis collection. On the other hand, can anyone really be said to 'own' the imagery of Ancient Egypt (with a stress on the imagery rather than the archeological artefacts), or isn't it now just part of a wider circuit of global iconography? The best film I know on this subject is Alain Resnais' Statues Also Die - not about fashion, but about the appropriation of African religious sculptures by European modernism. Finally, a shout out for Mubi - watch La Chimera and The Beast too while you're at it....

I might get the mubi app afterall😂

I left the movie feeling disturbed. On the one hand, amazing designer (and I say this as a former fashion journo who knows his work very well) - on the other another yt man who has shown his racism in public and wants to be back on top. I don't know about you but there were moments in the documentary where he seemed to be acting and almost smirking and I think the director knew that. For me the Jewish 'costume' was a massive middle finger up so no, I don't believe he's deserving - anymore.

This was a great review, insightfully blending the film with contemporary criticism. Arnault set Galliano up for failure when his Jewish-led company allowed/approved Galliano's Hassidic motif. The "process of fashion" is an interesting topic. Will you review the film "Mahogany"? It tries to examine "process of fashion" through creativity.

I interpret it as a sort of tone deafness when industry gatekeepers lavish praise upon a controversial creative talent such as John Galliano. But let’s be real: his behaviors were inexcusable. I felt a similar lack of accountability and call-to-action on Instagram from bold-faced industry names, around The Model Alliance of New York’s push for models’ working rights in the New York senate. It’s also possible that these industry titans could be sending their support for fashion industry worker rights anonymously.

Galliano a creative genius with zero vision

Roadman..,..some are saying Galiano is going to Chanel! Oh My.

Naomi Campbell said that bc she doesn’t want to start criticizing ppl for their past bc her past behavior was horrible. She physically and verbally assaulting ppl and on multiple occasions

I prefer to see him at Fendi rather than Dior. Also think he could do Dries Van Noten

Also watching the documentary I can't see how any big fashion brand would want him back in a high position there's no way he will ever be back at Dior. And he shouldn't be that time is over.

FASHION NEEDS JOHN GALLIANO

Unfortunately I think he knew exactly what he was doing when photographed mimicking Payas or Jewish sideburns. No proof just a feeling I have x

That Naomi Campbell section and I love her but that made me so crazy because why would you not watch it that was actually him that's a part of his personality. It really made me think no wonder so many perverted people are into fashion because people overlook them because of their talent or what they can do.

Hi, do you know where the documentary can be watched? is there any site?

I saw the doc, and have to wonder what sh*t education he had that left him so unaware of the holocaust (as he claimed), and then I remembered, oh yeah, it’s saint martins.

Where can one watch the doccie online?

I watched the documentary I thought it was interesting but it went too far into the scandal, I would have preferred if they would have just stuck to what made him great. There was some psychological interesting things that they tried to bring up which was great but they didn't relate it to the fashion shows they related to the scandal which was a huge Miss artistically. But this is a film about redemption so there's that. I also hated the way they talked about Stephen Jones he wasn't even there to defend himself. I think to understand the scandal and his recovery Robin Givhan gave the best insight also what she said was hilarious and true. 😂

Naomi Campbell is exactly like John Galliano, surrounded by enablers, so she could behave terribly to other people, like abusing her assistants. Correct me if I'm wrong, didn't she also admit to having a drinking problem for her behavior ?

from the documentary he comes across really out of touch which is ironic if this was actually a PR move, but I guess it kind of works better for the audience to think he's just simple-minded rather than malicious... and on the issue of cultural appropriation with regards to the egyptian collection I don't think it applies because the reference point is an ancient civilisation and modern-day egypt is nothing like that anymore so it's free game in that case

Rod I'm from Miami and I would love to do a session with you. 😂

Oh sorry, got it 😅

The guy had this punk rock british shake up at dior. He Then tops it off by headliners in marketing, photographers, models, cosmetic artists, set designers, smells, pure DRAMA IN FASHION since DAY ONE they clearly had fun viral moments CREATING VIBE OF DIOR.. We don't really know him yet we are connected by just one thing, some good, some bad. I was young and dumb once, the amount of " IM SORRY'S" to family ,friends.. HE WILL BE UNDER A MICROSCOPE, hopefully he knows what dotted line to sign... Time will tell. I want him at chanel- but lvmh heads seems to be All on his nuts right now $$$$$$. Viral moments- LVMH- is not a cash cow everyone can suckle from the teet of. They see dollar signs hopefully he stays true to his processes. JHON! THATS YOUR CASH COW! TELL THEM TO BUY THERE OWN CASH COW. LVMH! SUCK MY TEET PLEASE ❤ GREAT VID TODAY XOX

You make a lot of valid points regarding Galliano. And yes, artistic merit cannot justify reprehensible behaviour. However, we can and should separate the man from the work, in this case a work of immense talent, totally deserving of its praise. On the other hand, good sentiment or exemplary moral or political values don’t necessarily translate into good design. A lot of mediocre work has been praised in recent times, in fashion and elsewhere, only in light of their author’s laudable political/moral stance.

Hey always remember in the case of cultural appropriation it's just clothing has Alexander McQueen said it's just fabric.

No matter how talented, being name the creative director of a global luxury brand is basically “winning capitalism.” Aka, under capitalism this “the reward.” The money, the fame, the consequence free lifestyle. And let’s be real here, the consequences here aren’t that bad. That gatekeepers have forgiven him and John is as popular as ever. I fail to see the need to “rehab” this man or feel an ounce of pity. He’s rich and doing the job he loves. The need to rehab his image is so that others can be seen with him.

At the risk of sounding like a massive contrarian, I think we all do what Naomi Campbell did with Galliano. Everyone likes to say “how you treat people that don’t matter to you is your true character”, but do all of you treat the suffering of homeless people you see on the street as you would the suffering of a loved one? Of course the loved one matters more to you so you treat them better. Just like Galliano treated Campbell better because she matters more to him. There is a bit of hypocrisy and moral grandstanding here. Not at all justifying Galliano’s actions, but just pointing out all of us treat the people that matter to us better. Of course there is a distinction between actively disparaging groups and passively choosing to ignore the sufferings of others, but I’d argue thats a matter of social norms and whats considered acceptable - it is acceptable to turn a blind eye to homeless people and the suffering of war torn nations. I’d argue that its still the same principle of treating the people that matter to you differently than you would the people that don’t. We all defend our own, and its hypocritical to pretend we dont.

I love John he is such a bad liar. he said in recent interview who did 20 collection a year at Dior. In an earlier interview he said 12 collection a year for Dior that like Karl Lagerfeld level who does three label collection a year Chanel, Fendi and KL total a year. Second lie, John said he spend ten years at Dior. Perhaps he felt it like ten years in fact it was on the record something like four years and two years at Givenchy total 6 years at LVMH. Fact : he is Catholics. Jews are not Catholic. Redemption from Christians yes. But there is none from the Jews. I don't think he make an effort. Galliano scandal was formulated by him to cancel his exclusive contract from LVMH. He consulted high price lawyers to find a loophole. Getting fired from Dior would void the contract loophole. He mis-calulated about Jewish redemption and he will never be a major player in fashion again. His motive is more like running out of ideas and seem to recycle old one. And his method still the same tell a magpie and fracture story. There only so much content a designers has in him or her in life once it use up the super power is gone. Sadly is the desire is there. cheers

The conversation about cultural appropriation fascinates me because I can’t quite resolve the some of the problems people raise. I also find this overly PC culture stifling and misplaced. I don’t like to see people acting or self-regulating out of fear. My Gen Z kid’s friend group was telling a white boy that his new braided hair was “not cool” and he shouldn’t wear them. They are paranoid about wearing anything that will be mistaken for East Indian, Indigenous, Chinese etc… Has this not gone too far? Is appropriation of every kind not part of the process of cultures crossing over and of individuals finding or expressing themselves? I am born in Jamaica to a Chinese, Jamaican father and a Scottish mother but I was raised in Canada. My kid is ethnically Chinese, Scottish, Lebanese, Egyptian, Greek and Italian and raised in Canada - a new country where the Indigenous apparently crossed a land bridge tens of thousands of years ago….who has the right to claim what? When I was a child growing up in the 70’s, no one bought Halloween costumes except new immigrants who had no ‘dress up’ clothes. If you had to buy something, all that was available were cheap printed plastic bags. 90% of the neighbourhood kids dressed up in their parents clothes so common costumes were what we called Gypsies, Hobos, Movie Stars etc…because these characters were what we saw on television- we adopted from our environment. Apparently this is unacceptable now but who is offended by inspiration through appropriation? Is it critics, and intellectuals of liberal white guilt over what was stolen and who was hurt through colonialism and slavery because what cultures have voiced complaint??

I know you guys on this this channel are probably very young but in the case of cultural appropriation the most shocking one and beautiful was Karl lagerfeld at Chanel. He did six dresses with a poem in scroll written on them in pure hand embroidery, but it was not a poem it was passages from the Quran. They got death threats and bomb threats and they had to apologize and burn the dresses. But in fact they were just burning fabric. Culture appropriation is such a weird subject because it's just clothes. Now if it's a cross a religious symbol that's different but inhumanity inhumans with two arms two legs fabric who is allowed to make the rules of what we can and cannot wear?

This issue is an industry issues. Most designers are racist as evident of ppl having to advocate to have model of color. Or refused to hired ppl of color to do hair and make up of ppl of color. The difference is other don’t say it but their action shows it. It’s not just a Galliano issue only it’s an industry issue.

Hes going to go back where all is problems started ? No hes staying at MM

It felt like pr rubbish. Dont like how easily people ate it up

Models of color ongoing shared stories of other designer acting horrible but none was punished as hard as Galliano . Just saying