The designer addresses his disgraceful behavior that cost him his job at Dior

The designer has finally broke his silence regarding his arrest, anti-Semitic rant, and departure from Dior. Speaking out about the scandal, he said, “Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologize for my behavior in causing any offence.”

WWD reports the statement came from the law firm Harbottle & Lewis, and goes on to “completely” deny the claims of racist and anti-Semitic outbursts in Paris café La Perle. “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,” Galliano said in the statement. “However, I fully accept that the accusations made against me have greatly shocked and upset people.”

Galliano was fired from Dior after a video depicting him drunk saying “I love Hitler” surfaced, however in the statement the designer has made no mention of the video. He went on to take full 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.”

He went on to say, “I have fought my entire life against prejudice, intolerance and discrimination having been subjected to it myself,” he continued. “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.”

Many sources say the designer has been persuaded by close friends, (including Kate Moss and Naomi CampbellElton John and Donatella Versace have gone for treatment in the past. According to reports, the designer left France on Mar. 2 to enter rehab.

Katrina Mitzeliotis

Just days before the Dior show, designer John Galliano has been fired from the design house. The news comes right after Natalie Portman, Dior spokeswoman and face of Parfums Christian Dior, spoke out about the designer’s disgraceful anti-Semitic behavior and disassociated herself from the designer.

After John Galliano was arrested for making anti-Semitic comments and alleged assault on Feb. 24 in Paris he was immediately suspended from the design house. Now the designer has officially been fired after a video of a drunk Galliano saying, “I love Hitler,” was released on Feb. 28. In the video, the designer also told two people they “should have been gassed.” The news comes just days before the Christian Dior show, which is scheduled for Mar. 4 during Paris Fashion Week.

Sidney Toledano, Dior’s president and chief executive officer, said, “I condemn most firmly the statements made by John Galliano which are a total contradiction with the essential values that have always been defended by the House of Christian Dior.” He isn’t the only one speaking out — earlier today A-lister Natalie Portman and face of Miss Dior Cherie perfume released a statement denouncing the designer.

“I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today,” Portman told WWD. “In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way. I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful.”

Katrina Mitzeliotis