The Metropolitan Museum of Art has decided to cancel its upcoming exhibition that was intended to honor British fashion designer John Galliano. The decision comes after facing criticism from the Jewish community and others due to Galliano’s history of making antisemitic and racist remarks.
In a statement released on Monday, Max Hollein, the museum’s director and CEO, announced that the planned exhibit, originally scheduled for the May 2027 spring Costume Institute show and the annual Met Gala launch, will no longer proceed. Instead, a different exhibition will be showcased at a later date.
John Galliano, in collaboration with The Met, made the joint decision to call off the exhibition. Galliano expressed remorse, acknowledging the hurt caused by his past statements, particularly towards the Jewish and Asian communities. He stated that canceling the exhibition was the best course of action at this time.
Galliano, known for his extravagant designs, previously held the position of creative director at Christian Dior but was dismissed after his offensive comments from 2010 and 2011 came to light. Following his departure from Dior, Galliano dedicated several years to rehabilitation efforts. He later resurfaced in the fashion industry in 2014 when he was appointed by Maison Margiela.
Originally set to be the third living designer to have a solo exhibition at the Met’s Costume Institute, Galliano’s show was highly anticipated. The Met Gala, overseen by influential figure Anna Wintour, marks the start of the spring season and is a prominent event in the fashion world. Wintour, a supporter of Galliano, has a longstanding relationship with the designer.
Despite engaging with Jewish community leaders before announcing the exhibition, the museum faced escalating criticism. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, a vocal opponent of the exhibit, commended The Met’s decision to cancel. Menin emphasized that honoring Galliano during a period of rising antisemitism was inappropriate and hurtful to the Jewish community.