PARIS, March 5 (UPI) -- Dior's latest Paris collection was unveiled this week with an apology from the head of the iconic fashion house for the actions of its former creative director.
Chief Executive Sidney Toledano told the audience it was "deeply painful to see the name of Dior associated with disgraceful statements attributed to its designer" and then went ahead without John Galliano.
Dior fired Galliano Tuesday after an allegedly alcohol-fueled confrontation with a couple in a Paris cafe degenerated into an anti-Semitic tirade.
Britain's The Guardian said Saturday the show went smoothly amid heavy security. There was a good crowd, but the number of celebrities in the audience seemed thinner than usual.
The newspaper noted the collection had some hits and misses and also had a strong Galliano influence. At the end of the event, a cadre of Dior staff dressed in white coveralls took the standing ovation rather than Galliano, who usually spent a couple of minutes soaking in the accolades wearing a themed costume.
Dior has not announced a replacement for Galliano. The Guardian said Givenchy's creative director, Riccardo Tisci, and Peter Copping of Nina Ricci were considered front-runners.
