The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced that an upcoming exhibition honoring British fashion designer John Galliano will not take place. The event, which was set to be part of the 2027 Met Gala, had been scheduled as a tribute to Galliano’s career and creative achievements. Galliano has held prestigious roles at major fashion houses including Dior and Givenchy, and his designs have been worn by stars such as Nicole Kidman and Princess Diana.
The museum shared that the decision came after extensive discussion with Galliano and others involved in the project, according to USA Today. In his statement, Galliano said he was deeply sorry for past remarks that hurt Jewish and Asian communities, according to a report from ibtimes.sg. He added that he recognized the pain such an exhibition would cause and that institutional recognition was not enough to make amends, NME reported. Galliano said he did not want the event to distract from the work of the Costume Institute or place the museum in a difficult position. He also expressed gratitude for the support he received during his recovery from addiction and alcoholism.
The decision followed a wave of criticism from public figures and members of the Jewish community. One critic said that in today’s climate, the exhibition was a gut punch to Jewish people and that it was the right call not to proceed.
The museum confirmed that a new exhibition will be announced at a later date. Galliano’s career was severely impacted in 2011 after a video surfaced from an incident at a Paris bar. In the video, he made comments that included expressing love for Hitler and making offensive remarks about Jewish people. The video quickly spread online and led to widespread condemnation, ending his role at Dior. He was later convicted in France for racist and antisemitic remarks made during two separate incidents.
Over time, Galliano worked to rebuild his reputation through public apologies and community engagement. His comeback was supported by longtime friend Kate Moss, who asked him to design her wedding dress.
Anna Wintour, a trustee of the Met and co-chair of the Met Gala, praised Galliano for his decision not to proceed. She said his choice was courageous and reflected his character.
A recent report indicated that some donors had threatened to withdraw their support if the exhibition went ahead. The museum did not provide further details on how many donors were involved or what their specific concerns were.
The cancellation marks a significant moment for both Galliano and the museum as they navigate public sentiment and institutional responsibility.
IMAGE: Arad / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)