tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post8292024570344148350..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: When a Genius Turns Out to Be a JerkGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-51298785353582131912011-03-28T12:32:02.795-04:002011-03-28T12:32:02.795-04:00This is a VERY late answer to your post. It is a t...This is a VERY late answer to your post. It is a touchy subject for many - as well it should be! I am from Europe and in the (classical) music business. We all know the great composer Wagner had very questionable political views. Although maybe he didn't have the views, maybe he just sided with them, because he was able to still perform his music that way. His music is still brilliant but I have the same trouble enjoying it, as I will now have with the beautiful gowns of Galliano. But then again I dare say this: I ALWAYS get annoyed when they ask soccer players something that doesn't have anything to do with their sports. I really don't want to hear athletes talk about politics! That's NOT what we admire them for, right? <br />Gallianos words change nothing at all about the beauty of his creations. However, I believe we DO give the right signals if we don't support him anymore, as much as that might hurt.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03255132710874351411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-55486753188014529492011-03-24T14:29:29.528-04:002011-03-24T14:29:29.528-04:00@Bobbi Bullard re Pink Floyd.
Are you refering th...@Bobbi Bullard re Pink Floyd. <br />Are you refering the accusations over the live show animations of the bombs? That has been pretty categorically denied. The footage showed crosses, crescents, hammer & sickles, shell and mercedes logos etc as well as the star of Davids and dollar signs that caused the controversy. Waters is a critic of Israel's policies, but that doesn't make him anti-semitic.<br /><br />I'm not a Pink Floyd fan btw, but I hate when a group such as the Anti-Defamation League in this case, or an individual makes a public accusation based on their personal interpretation which then becomes public belief.<br /><br />As for Galliano, I'm unconvinced. I don't believe in drunk words being true opinion. I'd have to know his sober views to be convinced of his beliefs.Crikey Aphrodite!https://www.blogger.com/profile/07367690440444423865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-20863637172251073392011-03-20T19:03:39.897-04:002011-03-20T19:03:39.897-04:00I honestly don't admirer a fashion designer fo...I honestly don't admirer a fashion designer for their philosophy, but their design. People are criticizing what person he is, but honestly look at the time he grew up in and the location. I am not saying that this train of thought is not backwards, but when he began to put together what is true in the world these kinds of thoughts were more popular than thoughts of equal rights and opportunity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-90029866462335853172011-03-19T12:02:17.483-04:002011-03-19T12:02:17.483-04:00I was horrified by what he said as I hate all raci...I was horrified by what he said as I hate all racism. I think that he is a man who is at breaking point who completely lost it due to drink/drugs/mental health issues. I do not think he meant any of it as he believes he has Jewish ancestry and is very proud of this fact. <br />It is rather odd that these people caught it on camera (set up anyone?). As we do not get to see all of the conversation we do not know the whole story. Was he provoked (although even if he was why the racist rant?). <br />I feel that he needs help. His employers were right to fire him as any racism should never be tolerated but I honestly hope that he is proved to not be one and instead just a man suffering a breakdown who will get well and continue to produce such amazing clothes as he has done in the past. <br />LouiseVanityAcefakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09324988784137203156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-28902134587626011982011-03-17T12:04:09.092-04:002011-03-17T12:04:09.092-04:00I have thought a lot about this over the years, an...I have thought a lot about this over the years, and I have come to the conclusion that on some level, the artist can never be completely separated from their work. That doesn't mean that we can't appreciate a piece of art for what it is outside of the artist, but if an artist has committed an atrocity, it is hard to view their work with the same respect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-68303120317980470952011-03-15T22:35:03.649-04:002011-03-15T22:35:03.649-04:00I'm actually A fan of Lolita Fashion ( you can...I'm actually A fan of Lolita Fashion ( you can read about it here http://www.lolitafashion.org/ or on wikipedia ). And this situation reminds me of what happened with Novala Takemoto (you can read here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novala_Takemoto )<br />It's really your own opinion if you have to discredit the designs because his draw backs. I'm sure some great artist were jerks back in the day but no one knows about that much anymore...ClaudiaEthoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18096863851814737354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-43103513472715642632011-03-15T07:45:19.828-04:002011-03-15T07:45:19.828-04:00I think Mr Galliano is an angry drunk. I see so ma...I think Mr Galliano is an angry drunk. I see so many of these older man drinking alone in a pub and I know a few. They are angry and and focus their anger on a minority group to feel better. <br />I feel sorry for this sad man who has the world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-36687698274830001232011-03-15T00:56:08.970-04:002011-03-15T00:56:08.970-04:001) I don't know if there is more than 1 video ...1) I don't know if there is more than 1 video of this circulating around, but in the one I saw he is extremely intoxicated, and really seems to be trying to insult the reporter. Plenty of people say terrible things when they're in that sort of state just for the sake of being inflammatory. This doesn't make it acceptable in any way, shape or form, but it's just a little food for thought. I'm not ready to assume his entire world view based on a 2 min. video clip. Again, not making excuses for him, just trying to see things from various angles.<br /><br />2)I think we can separate the artist from his work, and we do in innumerable cases. That being said, there is a big difference between appreciating and taking inspiration from an artist and financially supporting that artist. If you feel strongly about the issue, don't buy his designs. It doesn't change the quality of his work. And (if I were a skilled enough seamstress) I wouldn't hesitate to rip off some of his design details.RachelMakesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-13939481575954490982011-03-14T16:16:08.071-04:002011-03-14T16:16:08.071-04:00All I have seen of this 'rant' is a 30-sec...All I have seen of this 'rant' is a 30-second soundbite. Everything else I've 'heard' is hearsay, gossip and speculation, much like the assumption that Disney was anti-Semitic.<br /><br />My take of Galliano's 30-seconds is that he was very drunk and trying to shake off harassers by saying the most offensive thing possible. But without the context of what happened before his outburst, I can't really say.<br /><br />Now, those individuals who have provided solid evidence of their jerkness, yes, I have a lot of trouble thinking of their art in the same way afterward.tigerstripesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50198285808932849592011-03-13T20:26:47.951-04:002011-03-13T20:26:47.951-04:00Thanks Gertie, this is interesting and perplexing ...Thanks Gertie, this is interesting and perplexing to a certain degree. <br />I can separate the artist from the art, usually. In this case I actually haven't seen the video, I do think that since he was so offensive and not representing DIOR he should be fired. And I love that the workers who brought his sketches to life were recognized, after all in reality his sketches were merely inspiration to them, they are actually the ones that make it into a real tangible Gown.<br />When I go to a museum I do not research any of the artists to decide if I will be inspired by their work(unless they become a favorite). Creativity does reflect the person and yet we are all made up of a mixture of beauty and ugliness, as artists we generally strive to tap into that beauty and transform it into something to share with others. We would probably be surprised if every musician, artist, designer, actor, etc. were to have to publish a philosophy of life and it were to match their true beliefs. Musicians in particular seem to be cut a lot of slack while they are spewing hate toward anyone unlike themselves, it's especially revealing if they have a blog etc. <br />As huge as this incident is in the fashion world, to me it's less important than companies that have slaves or severely underpaid workers making their products. Saying things that are discriminatory is terrible but obvious, but truly discriminating against a group of people in a way that actually threatens their health and existence and hiding it from the public is SO much more horrible. What if you were inspired by something you saw at a store, then you found out the company had slaves make it? Would that make it any less good design? Or would you have to wipe it from your memory and not use that great silhouette or color based on the philosophy of the company? <br /><br />To be inspired by a shape and color... I could not help but be inspired, regardless the source, but to support such a company, no I could not.Betty Boogiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12409769676515192739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50721130419555742462011-03-13T12:06:38.144-04:002011-03-13T12:06:38.144-04:00I've just gone through this same exercise with...I've just gone through this same exercise with Pink Floyd, found out they're highly anti-Semitic as well. It hurt to have to scratch them from my list of accepted music. Now I will be doing the same with Galliano. I just can't stand the idea of supporting someone who is abhorrent. Let us know your final decision.Bobbi Bullardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05853022721192799623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-19441143151616018732011-03-13T11:57:46.596-04:002011-03-13T11:57:46.596-04:00I also agree with a lot of what Fanny Pinkelton &a...I also agree with a lot of what Fanny Pinkelton & Michelle have said. I've said many things I don't actually mean just to get the desired reaction from someone else or win an argument. Manipulative and stupid? Yes. Human? Definitely. But there are lines I won't cross--because you also have to be aware of how your words impact those hearing them and how they impact your reputation and speak to your character. And you know the saying "in vino veritas"? There is as much truth in those words as there is in wine, or any other intoxicating substance Galliano might have been abusing. If those are Galliano's true views, then he should get a public beat-down for airing them so publicly and so disgustingly. And he has. His punishment fits his crime. The man has issues, and a house like Dior can't afford to have him wreck their reputation.Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12181928494578487821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-30161483644384307972011-03-13T11:47:30.629-04:002011-03-13T11:47:30.629-04:00The problem is that we expect public figures, and ...The problem is that we expect public figures, and artists especially--who create works of beauty and inspiration--to possess inhuman qualities: liberal attitudes (which does happen, of course), purity of spirit and mind, grace, goodness, etc. And then when they turn out to be no more divine than the average human, we're disappointed. I personally think his views are idiotic and reprehensible. Am I surprised by them, given the genius of his work? I agree with what Angela commented: artists and innovators are radical thinkers. They buck convention in so many ways. To think that they will hold the same morals as the general public is naive. That said, his comments and attitudes can't be simply dismissed and shrugged off. They do taint his work somewhat. But he also seems to be the kind of genius "a-hole" who would take credit for the work of others, because it was done under his leadership. The under-designers and craftspeople in his studio are as responsible for the success of his collections as he is himself, and their contributions can't be overlooked. Perhaps knowing this tips the scale a bit toward separating the artist from his "art" since that art was a collaborative effort. But do we know that those under-designers and craftspeople are "good" people, too? Do we know that those men and women don't abuse their spouses or children? That they don't hold religious or political views that we would consider "wrong" or illiberal or insensitive of other people, cultures, religions? We can't know that. If you're going to judge art by the "rightness" of the artists' attitudes and morals, then that cuts quite a bit of art off from being appreciated on its own merits. I believe that art can stand on its own, independent of the artist's views, although they do of course contribute to its effects. Because the viewer brings as much to the art as the artist.Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12181928494578487821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-70791066503805450762011-03-12T20:51:34.120-05:002011-03-12T20:51:34.120-05:00Being a professional seamstress, I'm glad to s...Being a professional seamstress, I'm glad to see the hardworking and no doubt underpaid and under- appreciated tailors and seamstresses get a bit of recognition.Paulahttp://www.learnhowtosewnow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-65783873222184601482011-03-12T19:10:16.432-05:002011-03-12T19:10:16.432-05:00He was not a genius...simply, he was a man with a ...He was not a genius...simply, he was a man with a great ability to take what has already been created in the past and change it into something "new" and exciting. His ideas were not entirely his...they were not completely original. He took what has already been created and modified it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843170836205486435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-23387916555558687782011-03-12T15:54:47.049-05:002011-03-12T15:54:47.049-05:00Gertie, I check your blog everyday, but I will com...Gertie, I check your blog everyday, but I will comment here for the first time.<br />I am noticing the high intellectual & analytical level of your commenters/followers. On any other (non-sewing) blog post, the comments would have been insufferable, besides badly written & spelled. Congratulations on having a great group of people follow you around!Sammienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-37695594293294159242011-03-12T12:58:15.898-05:002011-03-12T12:58:15.898-05:00We are all flawed human beings in one way or anoth...We are all flawed human beings in one way or another; under microscopic light we would all fail in someone's eyes. I'm not defending him, he seemed drunk and was being ugly on the video that I saw. It seemed he showed a bad side of himself that night. Also, I never heard him refer to that woman as any faith or culture, maybe they cut that out. I heard him refer to her as "ugly", so I'm confused about the anti-semitic reference. It's all too bad and very unfortunate. Hopefully he learns from all of this.SewBarbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16811221049659196786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-29821985473717105892011-03-12T12:17:57.865-05:002011-03-12T12:17:57.865-05:00Nous pouvons apprécier l'art et laisser la jus...Nous pouvons apprécier l'art et laisser la justice faire son travail. Si nous-même jugeons catégoriquement nous devenons nous aussi intolérant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-77645230933992421602011-03-12T12:09:44.726-05:002011-03-12T12:09:44.726-05:00I agree with what Patricia Field had to say about ...I agree with what Patricia Field had to say about it. To condemn the man through video without understanding the situation or the person is foolish, and a great problem with the internet world. You can disagree with his possible sense of humor/view of life, but to damn his person when you do not know him is way out of line for anyone to do publicly. You cannot separate the artist and the man, the art is an extension of his theatrical view of life. He expresses himself most perfectly though the fashion, many artists have imperfect verbal expression and feel removed from society and the general stigmas of certain words or concepts-- using them metaphorically or for exaggerated effect in daily usage. He was impaired so he did not use the discretion required in such a situation, but as someone who constantly missteps verbally- I will take what his close friends have to say about it.Kathrynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-75510328751806707982011-03-12T11:54:38.331-05:002011-03-12T11:54:38.331-05:00It's like the same thing whenever you may hear...It's like the same thing whenever you may hear about people's personal problems, how many authors were drinkers or had mental problems or other personal issues, but from an artistic standpoint their stuff is still beautiful. So many things are double edged swords, I don't know what to think.lilbaileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11881523074484379629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-46957146510547065692011-03-12T10:52:54.339-05:002011-03-12T10:52:54.339-05:00Great conversation, ladies! :)
Dawn s, I feel lik...Great conversation, ladies! :)<br /><br />Dawn s, I feel like you're trying to make this about American politics. If anything, it would be about French politics, right? Let's try not to be so USA-centric.Gertiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-42453075368666333192011-03-12T10:04:44.470-05:002011-03-12T10:04:44.470-05:00I love this post - well I love your blog in genera...I love this post - well I love your blog in general but this post in particular. I fully agree with you Gertie! If you don't mind I will share this post.LittleMissBossyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10128851928567733720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-19143779138270418312011-03-12T10:03:56.717-05:002011-03-12T10:03:56.717-05:00Dawn S - and anti-semitism?Dawn S - and anti-semitism?Gaylenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-9885836806305453152011-03-12T04:51:03.309-05:002011-03-12T04:51:03.309-05:00While Galliano is obviously a pig, this post made ...While Galliano is obviously a pig, this post made me laugh. If a Conservative is unable to look past an artist or an entertainer's flaws, she would have damn few movies or tv shows to watch or music to listen to. The world is not that simple and adults have to learn to compartmentalize. That being said, there are some who will never get my money because I know too much about them.<br />And Gertie, MB is right about how some people's flaws are overlooked while other's are not because they are in the wrong clique. I present Oliver Stone as an example.<br />@Gaylene and @Gaidag- We didn't/don't hate Communism and Socialism because we were in a Cold War with Communist and Socialist countries. We hate Communism and Socialism because we believe they are MORALLY WRONG.dawn snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-31928771340754254842011-03-12T04:04:34.300-05:002011-03-12T04:04:34.300-05:00Dude, I live in the first world. So much of my li...Dude, I live in the first world. So much of my life is possible only because of large scale hypocrisy and semi-conscious blindness. I can separate the dresses from the douchebaggery the same way I can think Porches are hot, forgetting about global warming, or the way I can love the pyramids, forgetting all the slaves.Nadiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16514261193556422663noreply@blogger.com