Following questioning over a drunken attack on a couple in a Parisian cafe, the posting of a video containing an anti-Semitic rant on the internet, and his expulsion from Dior, designer John Galliano is reportedly headed into rehab:
He was persuaded to accept treatment for his alcohol problems by close colleagues and friends like the supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, the sources said. While the treatment center is not known, it is likely that his destination is The Meadows, a facility in Wickenberg, Arizona, where Elton John and Donatella Versace were treated in recent years.
For Christian Dior, the billion-dollar fashion house that dismissed him on Tuesday for making anti-Semitic remarks while apparently drunk, the problems are only multiplying. The Dior autumn 2011 women's wear show will go ahead here on Friday, according to a person at Dior who asked not to be identified.
UPDATE: Galliano has released his first public statement in which he denies he made any anti-Semitic remarks.
Read it, AFTER THE JUMP…
Previously…
Dior Fires Designer John Galliano Over Anti-Semitic Remarks [tr]
Watch: John Galliano Mobbed at Paris Court, Condemed by Portman [tr]
Watch: Dior Designer John Galliano Proclaims 'I Love Hitler' [tr]
Galliano Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Couple He is Accused of Attacking [tr]
Dior Designer John Galliano Arrested in Paris for Drunken, Anti-Semitic Assault [tr]
STATEMENT BY JOHN GALLIANO
Since the events of last Thursday evening I have not been able to make any public comment on what took place based upon advice from my French lawyer. However, given the continuing delays at the French Prosecutor's Office I should make my position clear.
I completely deny the claims made against me and have fully co-operated with the Police investigation.
A number of independent witnesses have given evidence and have told the Police that I was subjected to verbal harassment and an unprovoked assault when an individual tried to hit me with a chair having taken violent exception to my look and my clothing. For these reasons I have commenced proceedings for defamation and the threats made against me.
However, I fully accept that the accusations made against me have greatly shocked and upset people.
I must take responsibility for the circumstances in which I found myself and for allowing myself to be seen to be behaving in the worst possible light. I only have myself to blame and I know that I must face up to my own failures and that I must work hard to gain people's understanding and compassion. To start this process I am seeking help and all I can hope for in time is to address the personal failure which led to these circumstances and try and earn people's forgiveness.
I have fought my entire life against prejudice, intolerance and discrimination having been subjected to it myself. In all my work my inspiration has been to unite people of every race, creed, religion and sexuality by celebrating their cultural and ethnic diversity through fashion. That remains my guiding light.
Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologise for my behaviour in causing any offence.
