Galliano: A play-by-play of yesterday’s hearing

The instant that former Diordesigner, John Galliano was legally accused of firing anti-Semitic insults at a couple while drinking at Paris cafe La Perle, all of the fashion industry—and much of the rest of the world—sat wondering what would happen to him and the famous fashion house. After much anticipation, Galliano’s trial took place yesterday in France. Though we’re sitting an entire hemisphere away from the reportedly un-air-conditioned courtroom, the highlights of the trial were made accessible through industry tweets, blogs and news articles. We were hitting the refresh button for hours—talk about suspense!—and now we can share the play-by-play with you.

Almost fittingly, the trial commenced a fashionable 20 minutes late. From there on out, Galliano defended himself against witness after witness. Here are the highlights:

Plaintiff Geraldine Bloch’s lawyer revealed outside the courthouse that she is seeking just €1 in damages on moral grounds. 

Second plaintiff Philippe Virgitti, unlike Geraldine Bloch, is seeking financial compensation for “moral damage.”

Plantiff number three, Fatiha Oummedour, was not present in court, but according to her statement, a drunken Galliano had repeatedly thrown anti-Semitic slurs at her in a dispute at the same bar the previous October. 

Three judges enter the courtroom: Two women and a man. The trial is underway as the charges are read out loud. In response to the reading, there is muffled laughter in the courtroom—presumably directed at the judge’s English accent, not the incident itself. 

Galliano walks slowly into court looking drained, wearing black leather pants, a black jacket and a black polka-dot neck scarf. 

Galliano’s initial statement included an explanation of his alcoholism and drug addiction. Galliano tells the court that he doesn’t remember February 24 very well, but he claims that one of the plaintiffs was aggressive towards him. “After every creative high, I would crash and the alcohol helped me…I have a triple addiction. I followed a rehab programme, spent two months in Arizona, I am still being treated and spent two months in Switzerland.” 

Galliano’s lawyer takes over for his translator, as she claims she cannot decipher his words. 

Galliano claims that he has fought all his life against prejudice and that he, himself, had been subjected to it in the past. 

There is a 15-minute recess. 

The trial resumes to closing remarks in which Galliano apologizes. 

The prosecution wants to know how Galliano can apologize for something he said he never did. 

After the seven-hour hearing the judge makes a final statement. Drum roll, please. The judge says that the court will adjourn and reconvene on September 8, 2011. And the suspense continues.