Creative director John Galliano has been suspended by fashion house Christian Dior after he was accused of verbally abusing a couple in a Parisian pavement restaurant.
The news has stunned the fashion world as Galliano is reckoned by many of the congnoscenti to be the most important influence in the industry.
The Briton is alleged to have laughed at a man sitting next to him in a cafe and also insulted his female companion by calling her 'an ugly bag'.
A man with unkempt hair who approached me on the street claiming to be a legal representative of Galliano, made this statement, whilst rubbing his gums:
"My client categorically and unequivocally denies these claims. Senor Galliano has never verbally abused anyone in his life. His remarks were taken completely out of context. He is the victim of a simple misunderstanding.
"My client did engage two people in conversation in relation to their fashion sense. He observed that, while he approved of the lady's Christal Automatic watch, the same could not be said of her Armani YEWB37 leather purse ; hence, the comment 'you've got an ugly bag'.
"Unfortunately, the male thought my client's comment referred to his partner, not to her accessoire.
"The rest, as they say, is History".
