The Metropolitan Museum of Art has decided to cancel its upcoming exhibition dedicated to renowned British designer John Galliano due to significant backlash from the Jewish community and beyond regarding Galliano’s history of making antisemitic and racist remarks.
The museum made the announcement on Monday, revealing that the exhibit, initially slated to be the centerpiece of the May 2027 spring Costume Institute show and the annual Met Gala, will not proceed as planned. Instead, a different exhibition will be unveiled at a later date, as stated by Max Hollein, the museum’s director and CEO.
In a joint statement with Galliano, it was conveyed that after extensive deliberation and consultations, they mutually agreed to scrap the exhibition. Galliano expressed regret for the pain caused by his past words, particularly towards the Jewish and Asian communities, acknowledging full responsibility for his actions.
Once celebrated as a prominent figure in the fashion industry for his bold designs, Galliano faced repercussions in 2010 and 2011 when his offensive comments surfaced, leading to his dismissal as the creative director of Christian Dior and a subsequent conviction in an antisemitism trial in France. Following his departure from Dior, Galliano dedicated several years to personal and public efforts towards redemption before making a successful comeback in 2014 at Maison Margiela.
The cancellation of the exhibition marks a significant decision, as Galliano was set to be only the third living designer to be featured in a solo showcase at the prestigious Costume Institute of the Met. The Met Gala, which kicks off the spring season, is a prominent event in the fashion world overseen by influential figures like Anna Wintour, the global editorial director of Vogue and a longstanding supporter of Galliano.
Despite prior consultations with Jewish community leaders in an attempt to preempt backlash, the decision to proceed with the exhibition faced heightened criticism. Notably, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, a vocal opponent of the exhibit, commended the museum’s choice to cancel the showcase, emphasizing the negative impact it could have had during a time of rising antisemitism.
The decision to cancel the exhibit aligns with the prevailing sentiments of the Jewish community and other critics who found honoring Galliano inappropriate given his past offenses.