Disgraced designer John Galliano is heading back to school after signing up to teach a three-day master class at a top New York institution.

The fashion mogul plunged into a downward spiral in 2011 when he was accused of hurling anti-Semitic remarks at a couple during a night out in Paris, France and the controversy cost him his job as head designer at Christian Dior.

He is slowly working on a comeback and has now agreed to share his fashion knowledge with students at Parsons The New School for Design in the Big Apple in a series of sessions called Show Me Emotion.

The decision to hire the shamed 52 year old sparked criticism online on Monday (22Apr13), but educators have defended their plans to recruit Galliano as a lecturer.

A statement from the college to New York Magazine reads, "An invaluable part of a Parsons education is the opportunity to learn from the world's leading designers, from Donna Karan and Diane Von Furstenberg to Olivier Theyskens. The planned master class with John Galliano will be a dynamic and intimate opportunity for our students to learn from an immensely talented designer.

"We believe that over the past two years Galliano has demonstrated a serious intent to make amends for his past actions, and as part of this workshop, Parsons students will have the opportunity to engage in a frank conversation with Mr. Galliano about the challenges and complications of leading a design house in the 21st century."