Designer John Galliano starts comeback at de la Renta

* Galliano says has been in recovery from alcoholism

* Was fired by Dior after making anti-Semetic remarks

* Fashion figures, Anti-Defamation League welcome his return

By Chris Michaud

Disgraced fashion designer John Galliano is making his return to the industry with a temporary residency at Oscar de la Renta's studio in New York, de la Renta said on Friday.

The British designer, who was fired by Dior in 2011 after he was caught on camera making anti-Semitic remarks in a Paris cafe, will spend the next three weeks with de la Renta as he prepares for his forthcoming New York Fashion Week show.

"He has worked long and hard on his recovery, and I'm happy to give him the opportunity to reimmerse himself in the world of fashion and reacclimate in an environment where he has been so creative," de la Renta said in a statement confirming Galliano's stint.

De la Renta added that he had known Galliano for years and said "I'm a great admirer of his talent."

Galliano, 52, said an addiction to drugs and alcohol had left him out of control and he was determined to make amends.

Galliano's sudden departure from the star position at one of the multibillion-dollar global fashion world's most recognized labels shook the industry and left LVMH, Dior's owner and a leading international luxury goods conglomerate, without a creative leader at its top couture brand for months.

Dior's new lead designer, Raf Simons, presented his first ready-to-wear collection last September.

A French court handed out a 6,000-euro ($8,000) suspended fine to Galliano in 2011 after he was found guilty of anti-Semitic behavior.

In a statement issued on Friday , Galliano said he has been in recovery from alcoholism for the past two years, but that several years before "I descended into the madness of the disease. I said and did things which hurt others, especially members of the Jewish community."

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