Donna Karan Goes to Bat for Galliano
Image by Getty Images
Just when you thought you were safe from John Galliano news, New York magazine has found an apologist for the anti-Semitism-spewing designer.
Jewish fashionista Donna Karan has gone to bat for the disgraced Galliano, who faces prison time in France for public rants about his “love” for Hitler and other hate speech. Presumably in reference to his firing by the Christian Dior fashion house, Karan told the magazine that Galliano’s remarks were “blown up out of proportion.”
“He’s a wonderful designer, a brilliant designer, and he probably needs help and support right now,” she said, explaining why his comments should be overlooked. “To be a designer’s a very taskful situation, and sometimes it can push a few limits.”
Karan’s comments put her at odds with Natalie Portman, who condemned the designer immediately after his comments came to light. But she has at least one ally in her views – “Sex and the City” costumer Patricia Field, who also came to his defense after his firing.
Nor is she his only Jewish defender – Galliano’s lawyer, as the Shmooze noted in March, is also a Jew.
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
