The Metropolitan Museum of Art has decided to cancel its upcoming exhibition dedicated to British designer John Galliano following significant criticism from the Jewish community and beyond due to the designer’s history of making antisemitic and racist remarks. The New York museum announced on Monday that the exhibit, originally scheduled for the May 2027 spring Costume Institute show, which kicks off the annual Met Gala, will be replaced by a different exhibition to be revealed later.
Max Hollein, the museum’s director and CEO, stated, “After thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have mutually agreed not to proceed with the exhibition.” Galliano also expressed his regret, saying, “After careful consideration and conversations with The Met and all involved parties, I have sadly decided that it is best to cancel the exhibition at this time. I take full responsibility for the pain caused by my past words, especially the harm inflicted on the Jewish and Asian communities, and I am sincerely sorry for it.”
Galliano, known for his bold designs, previously served as the creative director of Christian Dior but was dismissed from the position after making racist and antisemitic comments in 2010 and 2011, leading to a conviction in France. Following his departure from Dior, Galliano worked on efforts to rehabilitate his image and made a comeback in 2014 at Maison Margiela, where he worked for ten years.
Originally set to be the third living designer to have a solo exhibition at the Met’s Costume Institute, Galliano’s show would have launched the spring season alongside the prestigious Met Gala, a prominent event in the fashion industry overseen by Anna Wintour, the global editorial director of Vogue.
Before announcing the exhibition, the museum engaged in discussions with leaders of the Jewish community in an attempt to mitigate potential backlash. However, the decision faced continued opposition, with New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin being a vocal critic of the exhibit. Menin welcomed the cancellation, stating, “I am pleased that The Met has agreed not to honor John Galliano. I have consistently expressed my strong disagreement with this choice, particularly given the current rise in antisemitism. The decision to cancel was necessary to prevent further harm and pain inflicted on the community.”