'High & Low — John Galliano' explores the rise and fall of a controversial designer
The new documentary “High & Low — John Galliano” covers all the complexities of the famous British designer, one of the most celebrated and controversial figures in the fashion industry
NEW YORK (AP) — The new documentary “High & Low — John Galliano” covers all the complexities of the famous British designer, one of the most celebrated and controversial figures in the fashion industry.
The film, directed by Kevin Macdonald, features candid interviews with Galliano and fashion icons Anna Wintour, Naomi Campbell, Penelope Cruz, Kate Moss and Charlize Theron.
Galliano’s star shone brightly when Givenchy hired him as a young head designer in 1995, before Christian Dior brought him on as creative director in 1996. For nearly 15 years, he worked tirelessly on multiple seasonal collections at Dior and also started his own label. His over-the-top theatrical runway shows told stories with elaborate sets and makeup.
The film suggests that Galliano was overworked and abusing alcohol and drugs when he made a series of antisemitic and racist comments in 2010 and 2011. After the video of him saying “I love Hitler,” went viral, outrage was swift. Dior dropped him, he was convicted in an antisemitism trial in France, and he disappeared from the fashion world for several years. During that time, he made public and private efforts to rehabilitate and get sober, and educate himself on Jewish history and culture.
