Photo: Reuters

Sacked Christian Dior fashion designer John Galliano is denying antisemitism and apologizing unreservedly for offence resulting from ‘personal failure’. He was fired shortly after being arrested in Paris last week for alleged antisemitic remarks. While he initially denied the charges (even after a video circulating the web depicted him saying ‘I love Hitler’), he now wants to ‘earn people’s forgiveness’.

Dior’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy

Galliano was arrested in a Paris bar last week after a couple claimed he had insulted them. While no third-party witnesses were available, a video in which Galliano told two women ‘I love Hitler. People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers would all be fucking gassed,’ was the last straw for the House of Dior. After 14 years as creative director at Christian Dior, Galliano was sacked. Dior said in a statement that it had a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards antisemitism.

Glliano’s fight against prejudice?

In a recent statement Galliano said: ‘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.’

‘I only have myself to blame’

Galliano added that he had to take responsibility for his circumstances and for allowing himself to be seen ‘behaving in the worst possible light.’ He added, ‘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.’

Yet still he sues

The ex-Christian Dior designer has claimed witnesses saw him being verbally harassed on the night of his arrest and that he was subjected to an ‘unprovoked assault’. It’s for these reasons, he says, he has started defamation proceedings.

He adds: ‘However, I fully accept that the accusations made against me have greatly shocked and upset people.’

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