Hilfiger Explains Rose Rift

The pair were partying at celebrity hotspot Plumm in 2006, but the night took a turn for the worse when Hilfiger and Guns N' Roses rocker got into a shoving match - and Hilfiger threw the first punch.

Rose's spokesperson Noel Ashman released a statement following the incident: "Axl was a gentleman and had the good sense not to retaliate as he would have done some serious damage to Hilfiger."

Hilfiger has now spoken out about the incident, and he insists all is forgiven.

He tells the Poison Ivy blog,"Axl pushed me, and I said, 'That was rude.'

"(He) had a huge ring on. He wears all this jewelry. (I'm thinking), if I get hit, it's over. No teeth, no eye. So I hit him before he hit me. It was self-protection. Now we're friends."