The Metropolitan Museum of Art has decided to cancel its upcoming exhibit honoring British designer John Galliano due to widespread criticism within the Jewish community and beyond regarding Galliano’s history of making antisemitic and racist remarks.
The museum announced on Monday that the exhibit, initially scheduled for the May 2027 spring Costume Institute show that kicks off the annual Met Gala, will no longer take place. Instead, a different exhibition will be unveiled at a later date.
In a joint statement, Max Hollein, the museum’s director and CEO, revealed that after careful deliberation with John Galliano, they mutually agreed to scrap the exhibition. Galliano expressed regret over the pain caused by his past statements and acknowledged his accountability for the hurt inflicted on the Jewish and Asian communities.
Galliano, renowned for his extravagant designs, faced backlash and lost his position as creative director at Christian Dior following the emergence of his offensive comments in 2010 and 2011. Despite his dismissal, he worked towards redemption and eventually found success at Maison Margiela in 2014.
Originally set to be the focus of a solo show at the Met’s Costume Institute, Galliano’s exhibit was expected to mark a significant moment in the fashion world. The Met Gala, overseen by influential figure Anna Wintour, serves as a prominent event in the fashion industry calendar.
Prior to the announcement of the exhibit, the museum engaged in discussions with leaders from the Jewish community in an attempt to preempt any backlash. However, the decision faced heightened criticism. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, a vocal opponent of the exhibit, commended the museum’s choice to cancel, citing the inappropriateness of honoring Galliano amidst rising antisemitism concerns.
