“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.”
Speaking by the first time since this drama circus started, Galliano is said to have left Paris and is en route to rehab. Although not confirmed there is a speculation that he is going to the famous The Meadows.
As John obviously has an addiction problem, why nobody at such a big company did anything before ? I agree that the designer has to be responsible for his behaviour, but should not his bosses be helping him ? I am more than sure it was not the first time something unpleasant happened, so why did they not stop it before ? The truth is, in this industry there is highly tolerance for substance abuse and outrageous behaviour and surely the reason Dior is taking such measures is because everything was out in the open. This should had been approached way before this all happened !!!
Joh, get help and come back to the top of the game !
Roxy Ribeiro
