FASHION Magazine

As is the case with virtually any news story these days, the developments in the John Galliano story⎯the designer being accused of hurling anti-Semitic insults at an (incidentally non-Jewish) couple while drinking at the Paris café, Le Perle⎯can be measured in tweets, quotes and snippets. Given the proliferated speed at which these bits are published and publicized, it’s amazing to witness how quickly the industry’s reaction has gone from appalled to forgiving to looking forward to the designer’s imminent replacement at Dior. Given the industry’s propensity for forgetfulness⎯history has made fools of those who once condemned Coco Chanel for her involvement with the Nazis or Kate Moss for being caught with cocaine⎯we have no doubt that Galliano will be back at the top in no time. All references to the frankly horrifying severity of his remarks will vanish and whereas Chanel’s and Moss’s actions took years to do the same, Galliano’s have almost done so in a matter of 14 days. Meanwhile, as rumours swirl for a possible replacement by Riccardo Tisci, Alber Elbaz and Marc Jacobs, we take a look back at the quickest judgment turnarounds in fashion history.

Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper are the next faces of M.A.C’s Viva Glam. “People think if you’re strong about your sexuality, you must have a d–k,” Gaga told WWD. “And that’s what this is about. You can be strong about your sexuality and be a smart woman who wears lipstick and high heels and looks pretty.” [WWD]

Marc Jacobs is suing Christian Audigier’s line Ed Hardy for allegedly knocking off one of his handbags. Jacobs’ legal reps state that any infringement “has been intentional and wil[l]ful, calculated specifically to trade off the goodwill that plaintiffs have developed in their successful Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon tote bags.” [Vogue UK]