Fight Hatred

Fashion designer John Galliano's trial ends with a guilty verdict.

Videos had shown the celebrity creative director for fashion house Dior engaged in prolonged anti-Semitic outbursts directed at patrons of a Paris bar in which he was sitting.

Many in the fashion industry initially wanted to overlook the matter, saying that Galliano should be forgiven because he was drunk, or that he was merely being theatrical.

However, intense public interest and a strong stance by celebrities such as actress and Dior endorser Natalie Portman, who issued a statement expressing "disgust" at Galliano's anti-Semitic comments, lead to the matter being taken seriously.

His trial for "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity", in which he blamed his behavior on alcohol and drug addiction, ended in conviction and a suspended fine, although he escaped the jail time possible under French law.

John Galliano lost his position with Dior. In August 2012 he was stripped of his previously awarded Legion d'Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, in an unprecedented move, due to his conviction for racism.