Fashion’s bad boy back on track: John Galliano to work for Oscar de la Renta

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Published time: January 18, 2013 15:20
Edited time: January 18, 2013 19:20

The "wild child of British fashion” John Galliano is returning to fashion for the first time after he was kicked out of Christian Dior over his anti-Semitic remarks in a Parisian cafe.

The famed designer has been hired by Oscar de la Renta studio in New York, and promises a comeback to the top of the fashion industry.

"John and I have known each other for many years and I am a great admirer of his talent," Vogue quotes de la Renta as saying. "He has worked long and hard on his recovery and I am happy to give him the opportunity to re-immerse himself in the world of fashion and re-acclimate in an environment where he has been so creative."

Galliano will reportedly present his new collection in at New York fashion week in February.

Galliano was fired from Dior in March 2011 after anti-Semitic remarks. The designer faced legal action and was ordered by a French court to pay a €6,000 fine on charges of "public insults based on the origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity".

About the same time of the Parisian incident another video featuring the designer saying “I love Hitler” came to public attention. Galliano’s remarks sparked an international outcry.

Galliano has been out of the business for the past two years. Since designing Kate Moss’s wedding dress in July 2011, he hasn’t been professionally involved in other projects.

The bad boy of fashion used the time to deal with his personal problems and attended a rehab to be treated for the alcoholism that led to the Parisian incident and ruined his career.

"I am an alcoholic," Galliano told WWD. "I have been in recovery for the past two years. Several years prior to my sobriety, I descended into the madness of the disease. I said and did things which hurt others, especially members of the Jewish community. I have expressed my sorrow privately and publicly for the pain which I caused, and I continue to do so. I remain committed to making amends to those I have hurt," he said.

"I am grateful to Oscar beyond words for inviting me to spend time with him in the familiar surroundings of a design studio," Galliano told British Vogue. "His support and faith in me is humbling."