“Fool me once, shame on you – but fool me twice, shame on me,” as the old saying goes. But don’t try to tell that to designer Oscar de la Renta in regards to his clever companion John Galliano.
“John has had a lot of issues, health issues, abuse, but I like John. He’s a great guy and I was happy that I gave him that second chance and I hope that he will survive all of this,” de la Renta was quoted saying on a CBS morning talk show.
The anti-Semitic remarks that offended so many in that Parisian cafe just two years ago don’t necessarily reflect Galliano’s work ethic, and I suppose the cheeky British designer has had time to reflect on his past mistakes. He has also taken his time off to amend his use of alcohol and drugs – which according to Galliano is what triggered the public insults in the first place.
Lucky – or not so lucky – talent trumps this faux pas for at least one influential name in the industry. Although Christian Dior and The New School for Design in New York will hear nothing of the matter – Galliano still has a chance to redeem himself – so ready or not, here he comes … again.