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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    The Rise and Fall of Galliano and McQueen

    Four years ago, the fashion designer John Galliano sabotaged his career. He unleashed a drunken, anti-Semitic rant at a Paris cafe. It was captured on video and went viral. Days later, Galliano was fired as chief designer for Christian Dior. A year before Galliano’s implosion, another fashion prodigy also self-destructed.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Feb 11, 2015 • 1 min read

    Four years ago, the fashion designer John Galliano sabotaged his career. He unleashed a drunken, anti-Semitic rant at a Paris cafe. It was captured on video and went viral. Days later, Galliano was fired as chief designer for Christian Dior. A year before Galliano’s implosion, another fashion prodigy also self-destructed. Alexander McQueen, who turned clothing design into fine art, killed himself. He was just 40 years old. Galliano and McQueen helped open the exclusive world of high fashion to the masses and became celebrities in the process. But ultimately, they couldn’t withstand the pressure. A new book out this week tells the story of these two men, and how their lives were remarkably similar.

    John Galliano, Photo Credit: Laura Loveday (Left)

    John Galliano, Photo Credit: Markus Bollingmo (Right)

    John Galliano

    Photo Credit: Markus Bollingmo

    John Galliano

    Photo Credit: Markus Bollingmo

    Alexander McQueen, Photo Credit: Victor Soto

    Alexander McQueen, Photo Credit: Victor Soto

    The full episode

    4 of 4
    Cholesterol, Vaccinations, and the Rise and Fall of McQueen and Galliano
    1. 0:00Eggs For Everyone?
    2. 8:50Two Doctors on How They Handle Unvaccinated Kids
    3. 21:10Thawing Relationship With Cuba Has Immigration Implications
    4. 34:30The Rise and Fall of Galliano and McQueenYou’re reading this
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Andrew Walsh

      Too Beautiful to Live

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

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      Dana Thomas

      author of “Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes”

      News

    The full episode

    4 of 4
    Cholesterol, Vaccinations, and the Rise and Fall of McQueen and Galliano
    1. 0:00Eggs For Everyone?
    2. 8:50Two Doctors on How They Handle Unvaccinated Kids
    3. 21:10Thawing Relationship With Cuba Has Immigration Implications
    4. 34:30The Rise and Fall of Galliano and McQueenYou’re reading this
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand