One of the world's top designers and known for his dramatic shows and flamboyant style, Galliano was suspended by Dior on Friday hours after a couple complained he shouted racist and anti-Semitic insults at them while out drinking in Paris's hip Marais district.

His lawyer said Galliano, who lives in Paris, denies making racist or anti-Semitic comments. But speculation about his future raged after a new complaint was lodged about a similar incident in October and a British tabloid posted a video clip of what it said was Galliano making offensive remarks.

Galliano ignored questions on Monday as he strode through a crowd of reporters outside a police station in central Paris, his face largely hidden by a wide-brimmed black hat as he emerged from a Land Rover. He was inside more than five hours.

On the way out he briefly lost his hat as he was mobbed by a crowd of TV cameras, but still refused to comment.

The fracas has come exactly a week before Galliano was due to present Dior's new womens ready-to-wear collection at this week's fashion week.