-
Part of John Galliano's Men's Fall 2008 Ready-to-Wear collection (Getty Images)
Models wearing designs from John Galliano's Fall 2008 Mens collection looked as if they’d stepped out of Abu Ghraib prison and onto Paris runways. Do the designs fetishize torture?
RISD professor Kathleen McDermott says Galliano is following in a long tradition of designers who use couture to make shocking political commentary.
Related
Supported by
-
Phone Calls in the Age of the Text Message, A New Speech Law in Libya, and More
-
The U.S. 'Secret' War in Cambodia
-
Obama's Historic Statement, the False Statistic on "Boomerang" Kids, and More
-
More Misleading Unemployment Numbers Quoted By the Media
-
Revenge Porn's Latest Frontier
-
"Author" of 'Naked Came The Stranger' Dies
-
5 Ways To Spot a B.S. Political Headline in Under 10 Seconds
-
What's the Harm in Hate Speech?
-
Reporting on Taboo Topics in Liberia
-
The Phony Statistic About College Graduates
-
Phone Calls in the Age of the Text Message, A New Speech Law in Libya, and More
-
Comcast's Big Change
-
Obama's Historic Statement, the False Statistic on "Boomerang" Kids, and More
-
The Future of the Phone
-
Germany Publishes "Mein Kampf"
-
What's the Harm in Hate Speech?
-
When Freedom of the Press is Not a Priority
-
Reporting on Taboo Topics in Liberia
-
A New (Troubling) Speech Law in Libya
-
5 Ways To Spot a B.S. Political Headline in Under 10 Seconds
-
Why the Myth that Vaccines Cause Autism Survives
-
What's the Harm in Hate Speech?
-
The U.S. 'Secret' War in Cambodia
-
OTM Staff Picks, Volume 8
-
"Author" of 'Naked Came The Stranger' Dies
-
Local Television Broadcasting in the West Bank
-
The AP (Temporarily) Holds a Big Story
-
5 Ways To Spot a B.S. Political Headline in Under 10 Seconds
-
Remembering Barney Rosset
-
Reaction to Obama's Support of Gay Marriage


Comments [4]
I couldn't decide if this guest’s statements were irritating or flat-out hilarious.
"He [Galliano] is engaging the public. What’s the connection between rich and poor? What’s the connection between the person on the street and the person who buys couture clothes? To me he’s using his pulpit in a responsible way."
What the heck does that even mean? Basically, your guest was trying to sound deep over the notion that some people are so clueless that they'd rather congratulate themselves over mocking the less fortunate instead of trying to actually help them.
The real issue is what happens (or doesn't happen) *after* the look-at-me party. It would have been interesting to hear if Galliano or other attempted to engage people on these topics off the runway platform as well. Instead, the impression I got was that all they strive for is outrageousness for the sake of press. This has nothing to do with helping the homeless or "social commentary." Give me a break!
Your guest weakly tried to rationalize it all as the responsible use of a "pulpit." I say that it's simply "bull...", well, you know. These controversial designs are simply about getting attention, and using human tragedy to do it. There's no depth here.
Thanks for closing the segment with the Zoolander dialogue. When I hear people like that for real, I think of Mugatu's immortal line, "I FEEL LIKE I'M TAKING CRAZY PILLS!!" Other than this oddball segment, great show as always. Thanks, OTM!
There is little hint of protest in the art movement so, if this is part of it, I commend it. Far too much that is reprehensible has been done in the name of this nation for there not to be protest.
As former Senator McGovern says, impeach Bush and Cheney, if only as an act of national performance art!
I think that was an awesome move by Mr. John Galliano. It created so much controversy which is exactly the foundation of good art. And yes I meant to say "art" because fashion is deffinately a form of it. I believe the mixed reviews recieved are exactly what the designer was looking for and I believe that taking leaps like that is what makes the fashion industry flourish as well as other areas of media. Bravo!
Rachel Stewart
I had to listen to this podcast twice. It was so interesting. Kathleen McDermott's intelligent commentary made history come alive in a whole new way.
Loved it. Thank you.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.