Exploring Galliano's Hitler screed, exile from fashion royalty

One of fashion’s most notorious falls from grace will be explored in High & Low - John Galliano, an upcoming documentary in theaters March 8.

Galliano once ruled the fashion world, serving as creative director for Givenchy, Dior, and his own label. Born in Gibraltar and mostly raised in the U.K., the gay designer made history in 1995 when he was hired to head Givenchy, becoming the first British designer in decades to run a French fashion house. For 15 years, his vision held sway over the culture and celebrities lapped up his designs. The gay designer's runway shows were events unto themselves and he generated billions for Givenchy and Dior. But it all crashed down in early 2011, when video of him berating women with anti-Semitic and racist insults surfaced; the tirade included praise for Hitler. Galliano was swiftly fired by Dior and, while he eventually found new work, his reputation and influence would never fully recover.

In High & Low, Academy Award-winning director Kevin MacDonald (One Day in September) looks at Galliano’s fall and his attempted rise from the ashes. The recovering addict participated in the documentary, as did fashion icons like Vogue’s Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful, models Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, and fashionistas Penelope Cruz and Charlize Theron. Is Galliano redeemable? Time will tell.

Check out the trailer below.