Galliano Heads to Rehab, Apologizes

(Newser) – Friends tell the New York Times that former Dior designer John Galliano is entering rehab after news of his apparently drunk, anti-Semitic rants emerged. Galliano, while still denying the claims against him, says he understands "that the accusations made against me have greatly shocked and upset people" and that he "unreservedly" apologizes, the AP reports. Meanwhile, some of his colleagues are coming out of the woodwork to support him:

• Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field posted a note titled "In Praise of John Galliano" on her blog, and sent it out to 500 friends, media outlets, and other blogs. She tells Women's Wear Daily Galliano was "acting out a character": "John lives in theater. It’s theater. It’s farce. But people in fashion don’t recognize the farce in it. All of a sudden they don’t know him. But it’s OK when it’s Mel Brooks’ The Producers singing 'Springtime for Hitler.'”

• Fellow designer Giorgio Armani tells the Telegraph he feels "very, very sorry" for Galliano, because "it's obviously a difficult time for him. I'm also very sorry that they videotaped him without him knowing."
• Italian Vogue editor Franca Sozzani says that while she condemns racism, she is "disgusted by these people who saw what state John was in and took advantage of the situation by trading on his name and notoriety. It’s obvious that this was a bit inauthentic in the sense that if you are truly fighting with someone, you don’t have time to pick up a mobile phone, turn on the video GIGGLING and mockingly film what he is saying.”