The Metropolitan Museum of Art has decided to cancel its upcoming exhibition dedicated to British designer John Galliano following widespread criticism from the Jewish community and beyond due to Galliano’s history of making antisemitic and racist remarks.
In an announcement made on Monday, the New York museum stated that the exhibit, originally scheduled to be the centerpiece of the May 2027 spring Costume Institute show and the annual Met Gala, will no longer proceed. Instead, the museum plans to unveil a different exhibition in its place at a later date.
Max Hollein, the director and CEO of the museum, revealed in a statement that after careful deliberation with John Galliano, both parties mutually agreed to halt the exhibition. Galliano also expressed regret, stating, “I have concluded, with deep sorrow, that it is best to forgo the exhibition at this time. I take full responsibility for the pain my previous words caused, especially the harm inflicted on the Jewish and Asian communities, and I am sincerely sorry.”
Known for his extravagant designs, Galliano enjoyed a prominent position in the fashion industry as the creative director of Christian Dior before his dismissal due to a series of offensive comments made in 2010 and 2011. He faced legal repercussions for his antisemitic remarks, leading to his termination from Dior. Following a period of rehabilitation efforts, Galliano staged a comeback in 2014 by joining Maison Margiela, where he remained for a decade.
Originally slated to be the subject of a solo exhibition at the Met’s Costume Institute, Galliano was set to become only the third living designer to receive this honor. The Met Gala, which marks the start of the spring season and is a highlight of the fashion industry’s calendar, is overseen by Anna Wintour, the global editorial director of Vogue and a significant figure in the fashion world. Wintour, a longtime supporter of Galliano, has been instrumental in promoting his work.
Despite consulting with leaders from the Jewish community before announcing the exhibition, the museum faced escalating criticism. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, a vocal opponent of the exhibit, commended the decision to cancel, emphasizing that honoring Galliano amid rising antisemitism was unacceptable.
The cancellation of the Galliano exhibition marks a significant shift in the Met’s plans, with a new showcase expected to be announced in the future.