Met Gala and Museum Cancel John Galliano Exhibition Amid Controversy

The planned exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, highlighting designer John Galliano’s work for the 2027 Met Gala, has been canceled. The decision followed weeks of backlash.

John Galliano announced on social media that after much reflection and discussion, he decided not to proceed with the exhibition. Galliano expressed sadness over the situation but believed it was best not to move forward.

The Met confirmed that the upcoming exhibition, which was to cover Galliano’s four-decade career, would not take place as planned. The controversy arose from Galliano’s past antisemitic and racist comments, leading to his dismissal from Christian Dior in 2011 and a hate crime conviction in France.

Galliano acknowledged the pain his words caused in the past and expressed deep remorse, particularly towards the Jewish and Asian communities.

Anna Wintour, the chair of the Met Gala and longtime Vogue editor-in-chief, supported Galliano’s decision. She described it as courageous and supported the Met’s decision not to hold the exhibition.

Andrew Bolton, curator of The Met’s Costume Institute, emphasized the need for museums to rigorously and candidly examine difficult histories but recognized the pain and concerns associated with this exhibition. Opposition grew, with some donors threatening to withdraw support if the exhibit proceeded. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, a senior Jewish official, was among the strong opponents, applauding the Met’s decision to cancel.

Galliano was once a prominent figure at Dior, transforming the fashion house into a global powerhouse over his 15-year tenure. Despite his downfall, he returned in 2014 as the creative director of Maison Margiela, holding the position for a decade.

Anna Wintour played a significant role in helping Galliano rebuild his career over the last decade. She actively supported his re-entry into the fashion industry and featured in a 2024 documentary about Galliano’s career journey.

Galliano was set to be only the third living designer with a solo show at the Met’s Costume Institute. The Met plans to announce details for a new spring Costume Institute exhibition and the 2027 Met Gala at a later date.